UKC

Silvia Fitzpatrick climbs 8a+ in the Costa Blanca

© Rich Mayfield
Sam Mayfield reports that:

"Silvia Fitzpatrick that stays here in the winter went climbing in the rain this weekend and climbed an 8a+. First time in 8 years that she has climbed that hard. I think she was the first British Team member to climb that hard back in the good olde days!

As she is 42 I am not sure if she is close to being the oldest women climbing that hard at the moment.

She was so angry at the shitty weather and she was having trouble getting someone to hold her ropes that I think she took it out on the route."

The route was an 8a+ at the Wild Side Sector, Sella in the Costa Blanca.


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10 Nov, 2006
Good effort Sylvia. bluebrad
10 Nov, 2006
Effort, etc. Is she the south american lass with the gammy leg who worked at the Foundry but despite both of these impediments still climbed hard sport outside? If so she's always been an inspiration.
11 Nov, 2006
"so angry at the shitty weather". This doesn't sound like the Silvi I know!! Famous last words: I have not seen rain yet....I love it though, not to have to think about the weather, just make a plan and go climbing you will NOT get rained off!! Sorry Sil, just couldn't resist it!! Brilliant news on the climb front, Well Done!! Caroline (in wettest Wales)
16 Nov, 2006
Sylvia sent us this email: "The route I did in the Wild Side is called 'La forqueta del Diablo o Romocop' 8a+. 'Romo' in Spanish means sloper. It consists of 26 meters of very slopy holds that finish in a very precarious and balancy section on thin tufas 2/3 of the way up. After that, there are a few powerful moves on big tufas to reach an undercut from which you can clip the chain. The route is gently overhanging all the way up and very pumpy. From the start, you have to control the lactic invasion and remember to breath! I did not understand the book description as there were not tats or double bolts on it!. It was recommended to me by a local climber as I was asking around for a good project. First time I tried it I thought it was impossible. But, as it did not hurt my finger skin- being so smooth and rounded- I decided to persevere for a bit -after all, the moves were nice! In the end it took me 3 days and six attempts to do it. I was very happy -and surprised- to do it on a rainy and misty day too!! I must have had 'my lights on' that day..."
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