Steve McClure has established a new 8c extension at Malham Cove, North Yorkshire, adding Hugo Boss as an extension of the 8b Victor Hugo (8b).

This line is a development on multiple extensions and variations that have appeared in this small section of the Cove over the years. Steve explained:

'Initially we had Consenting Adults (7a) first climbed in 1986, at 7a, a great route on perfect solid rock, and THE crag warm up! Not possible to get more polished, but still great! This was quickly extended by Pete Gomersall with a short bouldery section for just a few metres to an obvious hole to give Thriller (7c+), a brutal 7c+ stopping short due to a brutally hard crimpy boulder problem.'

In 2002, Gaz Parry extended Thriller through the boulder problem and then traversed right on decent holds to a middle of the crag lower-off to give Victor Hugo (8b), a hard 8b.

But the direct on Victor remained. Steve told UKC:

'A few years back Zippy (Mark Pretty) cleaned and bolted a fantastic line leading all the way to the ledge which he intended to link from The Groove (and still does). This line crosses where a direct on Victor will go, and now does.'

Describing his latest direct line, Steve wrote:

'From where Victor traverses right, Hugo Boss now goes straight up via another very hard boulder problem, followed by another hard move left and then straight up to join Zippy's line at the often-wet streak (dry now). From the junction it's still about 7c+ to the top, finishing right up there on the ledge.'

Not yet bored of the crag where he has established so many of the country's hardest routes, including Rainshadow (9a) 9a, Overshadow (9a+) 9a+ and Rainman (9b) 9b, Steve continues to find quality extensions at the Cove. He added:

'So the history of this line is now complete, to give yet another excellent and long route to join the other amazing long climbs at this fantastic crag.'