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Kendal Rekindled: Emma Twyford InterviewVideo

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Emma Twyford has had a massive year. She ticked The Big Bang, becoming the first British woman to climb 9a. We caught up with her at Kendal Mountain Festival where she was promoting her new film, Emma.

In August, Emma climbed The Big Issue (E9 6c) at Bosherston Head in Pembroke in what she'll remember as a vintage year. She continued her fine form a month later when she put her long-term project, The Big Bang (9a) at Lower Pen Trwyn, finally to rest. Emma also had successful trips to Oliana and the Dolomites and provided she can stay uninjured, 2020 promises to be an exciting year.


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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




19 Nov, 2019

I thought Emma climbed the Big Issue in August last year?? Fantastic efforts on both the Bigs, what an inspiration!

19 Nov, 2019

I think it would have been more informative if Emma hadn't had to struggle to get a word in edgeways. The fabled Jim Naughtie school of interviewing where the question is five times longer than the answer

Hi Naomi,

Funnily enough I got chatting to someone on FB about this last night who basically said the same thing - "are you guys aware she ticked big issue in 2018?".

I'd offer a very definite 'oops' to this one, as I should have known better. I'd love to have recovered it by claiming that she did it within the last 12 months (as opposed to calendar year) but before you look - it wasn't (it was August 2018).

Either way, my error, but still (hopefully) a nice chat - particularly about the ups and downs during The Big Bang.

It was always meant to be a more conversational style, so not exactly Frost/Nixon, Paxman, or Humphreys. Furthermore, I'm not a 'short and to the point' kind of person, I like rambling my way through points and problems, and I hope there's others out there who like the approach.

For what it's worth, Emma and I have known each-other for a great many years and hopefully this - and the fact she felt relaxed (and seemed to have fun) throughout - mean you get a good glimpse into her character.

20 Nov, 2019

Easily done. Anyway, Emma has still had a massive year, what with her and matt's epic alpine adventure in the spring. And I think it's even more impressive that she climbs to such a high standard year after year - this is no flash in the pan, Emma has consistently been at the top of her game since she was a youth competitor. Props!

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