In reply to jon:
jon you are quite right, although we weren't sworn to secrecy - when you're in a the little Malham microcosm you just presume everyone knows
Ben has been getting progressively closer and closer of over the past month and it did feel like an inevitability that he was going to do it. That said, these things are never until the bag until they're done and due to the cool conditions required I would have imagined Ben was getting more than a little worried that the warm summertime conditions were going to thwart his efforts.
What I will say is that seeing him climb Raindogs and get through the roof above (multiple times!) was a truly exceptional display of rock climbing, the precision and accuracy to which it was executed was remarkable - so smooth! Unfortunately I didn't get to see him finish it, but by all accounts it was an impressive display. No doubt Jack and Natalie will have a follow-up report detailing full account over the next few days.
Great effort Ben, well done!
Post edited at 10:38
Ben Moon has climbed his second 9a with an ascent of Rainshadow at Malham Cove, 25 years after his first of the grade. This is the fourth ascent of Rainshadow, first climbed by Steve McClure in 2003.
