UKC

Andy Pollitt reflects on halcyon days with influential Australian climber Kim Carrigan, who established multiple routes Down Under and hopped across to the UK to show us how it was done in the 80s.

Read more

In reply to UKC Articles:

Really enjoyed that, thanks

In reply to UKC Articles:

Great photo of Dougie too!

In reply to UKC Articles:

"We'd crank limestone classics in the morning on superb crags like High Tor then spend long summer evenings soloing across the gritstone edges of Stanage, Curbar and Burbage south." - the epitome of the halcyon days of many a climber's life!

Loving it Andy. Keep 'em coming!

In reply to UKC Articles:

Excellent read - brought back a lot of memories (KC at the Sobell wall etc).

Thanks

In reply to UKC Articles:

Excellent, Andy.


Hmmm, joint presence, eh?

I remember watching Kim on the Ring Route numerous times in 1985. He was so strong and neat and precise that I just couldn't understand why he kept failing on it!

In reply to UKC Articles:

Another great interview, are you going to be calling Mr Hall?

In reply to smurff:


I can recall 'Choe' Brooks introducing me to Dougie at Froggatt as a novice climbing partner. He then promptly flew up Chequer's Crack, pure class!

In reply to Chris Craggs:

Crackin', historical pic CC, nice one.
Cheers,
And.

In reply to UKC Articles:
Arriving at Stoney in November would be a shock for most UK climbers never mind a foreigner coming from such places as Kim on his travels.

OK so they clearly didn't get on at first, and ended up as so many often did; in the cafe. He obviously stayed on though, at a time when Stoney was probably at the top of its game.

I'd be interested to know more about Kim's subsequent visits to Stoney and how he measured Peak climbing on a worldwide scale.

In reply to BlownAway:
If you look at the latest historical photo, Kim's belaying at Stoney with Jenny Alex Lowes girlfriend behind him.

In reply to UKC Articles:

Nice to be remembered Andy, you flashed up Physcic Threshold, I don't recall you resting at any point, thanks for having the strength to pull me up! Dave Cowans

In reply to AP Melbourne:
I have just emptied my loft due to moving house. I rediscovered Kim's UK guide books that he left with me back in the 80's. He did ask me to post them to him but as I'd just got married and couldn't afford the postage so I sort of forgot about it.
Does he want them now.

In reply to Cloggy:

Hey! Hi Dave, what a lovely surprize to 'see' you here. Ha, I'll always remember that evening with you on the Gwynt as Pshychic Threshold had had just the one repeat I think from a power-house of a climber called Dave Roberts (?) who got Rowland's two aid points down to one.
I was very comfortable climbing with you coz you were far more experienced than little me with the Union Jack woolly hat. In fact you must've been positively 'old' - like forty or something? Funny to think I'm probably a good ten years older now than you were then. Where does it go Dave?
Da iawn diolch [well done, thanks].

Oh, PS: If you're still around 'dudders and see those Lyon bros I'd love to touch base.
Cheers,
And.

In reply to webbo:

Hi webbo,
Am sure KC will let you know either here or via PM. Good effort hanging on to them all this time.
Cheers,
AP.

In reply to AP Melbourne:

Hi Andy, I'm now 70 years of age so you've a bit to go yet, are you still "at it", you are right Dave Roberts freed Nexus direct finish before
Physic so the guy could climb at the highest level. I'll contact Dave Lyons to get his e-mail so you could contact him, is that OK for you, Dave

In reply to Cloggy:

Thanks Dave,
Nah, gave it away in'92.
Cheers,
AP.

In reply to AP Melbourne:

Another cracking interview Mr P.

Must get down to Woolies now.....

I have photos of Kim climbing Wellington Crack at Ilkley. I must have been about 15/16 at the time.