Pearson, best known for his UK trad exploits has been focussing on longer sport climbs as he felt that was a weakness in his climbing.

Speaking to UKC in an exclusive interview, he said:

"It was only recently that I tried something a little harder than my regular on-sights, resulting in me climbing an incredible 8c called Love 2.0 - genuinely one of the best routes I have climbed (I know everyone says this about hard routes they have recently climbed). This experience reminded me of how efficient the red-point process can be – quickly moving from finding individual moves hard, to making big links and finally finishing the job.

Since then I have climbed a few more 8c's on the limestone in the South of France (my second home), with the highlight being an ascent of Joncasares, a very bouldery 8c, climbed on my first try."

• Read the full interview here: Exclusive Interview - James Pearson

VIDEO: James Pearson - Progression - 8c

A big thank you goes to Dave Simmonite for this video and several of the photographs that accompany the interview.

You can keep up to date with James, as well as see a stunning gallery of photos, all on his brand new website: www.realbigpimp.in

James Pearson is sponsored by The North Face , Wild Country , Five Ten and Adidas Eyewear