UKC

Emma Twyford Repeats Rare Lichen E9

© M Daviet - MHW

Llanberis based climber Emma Twyford has climbed the Ogwen Valley arete Rare Lichen, becoming the second British woman to climb the magic E9 grade.

Emma is one of the current top British trad and sport climbers having previously climbed E7 and onsighted E6, onsighted 8a in Kalymnosflashed the classic 8a UK sport route Statement of Youth and redpointed 8b.

Emma Twyford in Morocco  © M Daviet - MHW
Emma Twyford in Morocco
© M Daviet - MHW

Emma commented on Facebook:

"Did Rare Lichen up on Griben Facet in the Ogwen Valley which is given E9 6c. Such a cool route with some seriously small gear!"

Rare Lichen was first climbed by Leo Houlding, and Emma's ascent is the fifth overall after Leo, Nick Dixon, Calum Muskett and James McHaffie. It tackles a bold arete on Clogwyn y Tarw (The Gribbin Facet) in the Ogwen valley of North Wales, sharing a start with the next door E9 Gribbin Wall Climb before swinging rightwards around the arete at about half height, passing some RPs and making technical moves up the final headwall.

You can read more info on this ascent (with photo) on the DMM Website, and this ascent has ben discussed in the UKC forums.


Emma Twyford is sponsored by: DMM, Five Ten and Mountain Hardwear


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Emma is one of the very best climbers operating in the current British scene. She has flashed both E7 and F8a, headpointed E9 and is the first British woman to redpoint F9a.

Emma's Athlete Page 42 posts 5 videos



25 Sep, 2013
Brilliant effort, well done Emma
25 Sep, 2013
Is it just me or did anyone else think "Oh there's a kit review by Julia Bradbury on waterproofs" when they saw the photo of Emma as a thumbnail. I must me getting old!
13 Nov, 2013
well done Emma!
Splendid. Who was the first Brit woman to tick E9? Missed that.
14 Nov, 2013
I think Hazel Findlay.
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