The man just seems to be head and shoulders above anyone else in the country at the moment. Incredible motivation to be putting up this sort of route in England.
In reply to GrahamD: That's because he is. This latest project looks blank from below. You can see holds on Northern Exposure, but none on Steve's project! Ste Dunning said it was Font 8a territory after the belay.
In reply to andy farnell:
Took some photographs of Steve playing on this and you have to look close to see the dirty crimps he's using. Fantastic. Will be awesome when it goes. Let's hope for a dry couple of months.
Big Bang 9a, LPT ('96 Neil Carson)
Mutation 9a, Raven Tor ('98 Steve McClure)
Northern Lights 9a, Kilnsey ('01 Steve McClure)
Rainshadow 9a, Malham ('03 Steve McClure)
Violent New Breed 9a+, Hollywood Bowl ('04 John Gaskins)
Ben's Roof/Evolution link 9a, Raven Tor ('06 Steve McClure)
Overshadow 9a+, Malham ('07 Steve McClure)
I'm talking about the climber, not the routes - its been a whil since Carson was climbing 9a and I'm not aware of anyone else in UK operating consistantly at 9a / 9a+ at the moment.
In reply to andy farnell: On my list (from McClure's column in Climb about 'ard sport climbs) Total Eclipse is 8c+, it also mentions controversy surrounds it, which is odd
The best bit about this thread is that I've seen Steve climb the route and more importantly I've seen Alastair's uncut footage of this from the Psyche DVD... Let me tell you the route is H*A*R*D* and it's been filmed in such a good way - it looks awesome. Possibly the best piece of climbing on film since Cobra Crack on First Ascent.
Can't wait to see the finished polished version!!! (hint hint Al, it's nearly Christmas...!)
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