UKC

Jesse Dufton has onsighted his first E3, Internationale at Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye. It was the first time the blind climber had ever attempted a route of the grade. 

Read more

In reply to UKC News:

Great article; thank you.  Amazing achievement.

Interesting that Jesse thought Hoy a good climb.  I'd imagined that a blind ascent might lose some of the things that it scores classic points for - the setting, approach (view from the ferry) and abseil.  I can see why Rock Idol would be high on the list - it climbs beautifully.  I guess the sounds and smells of the sea cliffs are universally intoxicating though.

Anyway, lovely article.

In reply to UKC News:

Totally inspiring. Well done Jesse.

In reply to UKC News:

Jesse is so inspiring - great article. 

In reply to UKC News:

As others have said, totally inspiring. Congratulations Jesse!  

In reply to UKC News:

that’s flippin impressive, so inspiring 

In reply to UKC News

Mind boggling. I can just about get my head around him doing crack climbs which takes cams easily, but it was the bird-slime, poorly protected ledge shuffling on the Old Man that I found almost unwatchable. I do wonder whether, if he could watch the videos like the rest of us, he would think "f*** me, that is totally nuts" and take up golf or snooker or something instead.

In reply to UKC News:

So impressive, not just the climbing ability, also the completely adventurous mindset of pushing oneself in unfamiliar situations.

I was also especially amused by the multiple levels of irony on one of the recent photos of Jesse where he apparently went off route on a route called Cross-Eyed (E2 5b).

In reply to UKC News:

Fantastic effort! Doing those climbs at all is an achievement, but without being able to cheat your way up by looking at the holds - that's a whole other level of commitment and ability. Jesse's endurance and head game must be incredible.

In reply to Robert Durran:

Although 'Free solo' was impressive, it didn't give me the visceral fear I felt watching Jesse trying to get gear in on the Old Man. I actually felt queasy at one point.

In reply to Ridge:

Yes, Free Solo seemed much more controlled. But maybe that's because I can sort of relate to doing that sort of stuff at a much more modest level, whereas I simply can't relate to climbing blind.

In reply to UKC News:

I saw he did Vulcan Wall the other day as well. I've not climbed that route but have climbed at SNC and found it really difficult to be sure I was on route, even with eyesight! It's one thing following a big corner or crack but a Gabbro multi-pitch mountain route is something else altogether.  

In reply to UKC News: Wow, what a inspiration ascent. I did Internationale on what must have been a couple of days later, and the difficulties are etched on my mind. Incredible climbing.