[Oldmanmatt]

I started when I was 9, but I spent the first six years climbing mountain VDiffs in big boots. Occasionally our paths would cross a team climbing HVS or E1, and my Dad would shake his head in disbelief - 'lunatics!'

Sameish, but a year earlier.
But it was all big boots (Millets cheapest leather tanks) and Army surplus, until my late teens.
Loads of fingertip doorframe pull ups, mind and then a baptism of fire on routes like Eroica and Darkenbad.

[SA Chris]

Gutted I missed those important early years of tendon strengthening injuring.

[SA Chris]

"deus"?

Yes, he thinks he's a god.

[andy_e]

Occasionally our paths would cross a team climbing HVS or E1, and my Dad would shake his head in disbelief - 'lunatics!'

That's pretty much my attitude too... 

[galpinos]

I started when I was 9, but I spent the first six years climbing mountain VDiffs in big boots. Occasionally our paths would cross a team climbing HVS or E1, and my Dad would shake his head in disbelief - 'lunatics!'

I used to look at the pictures in the guidebooks whilst sat in bed in Northampton and think, "wow, if I ever climb Great North Road I'll be a climbing god" (picture in the old blue Froggatt guide). Never even considered the extremes as viable, VS was the aspiration!

[andy popp]

After a couple of introductory V Diffs the next grade that I first experienced as a second rather than a leader was E3. Hardly conducive to fast progress.

[andy popp]

And huge respect to Josh of course! Amazing.

[jimpopeonarope]

Impressive stuff! Just read that Archie Ball who turned thirteen in January, just headpointed 'My Halo' E7 on the slate. Heres the link to the full article http://dmmclimbing.com/news/2015/04/my-halo-e7-6b-headpoint-by-13-year-old/

[dave]

Thir-fucking-teen.

[abarro81]

Couple more 8as for Josh Ibbertson on his Easter holidays..

[haydn jones]

Angie Scarth-Johnson done welcome to tijuana 8c....she's 10...says she only trains 4 hours a week on 8a.shit but if you read what the mum says about the home bouldering wall and her "going on it when ever she's bored" I'm calling bullshit on the 4 hours. Anyway.... Effort yoof! !

[Jaspersharpe]

8c at 10? 

[petejh]

I'm waiting for the first delivery on Era Vella

[jimpopeonarope]

Era Vella was climbed by Kai Lightner, 15 a few weeks ago. I think thats the youngest accent?

[andy_e]

What with all this lauding over Moon's ascent of Rainshadow, probably worth pointing out that Josh Ibbertson did Raindogs recently! 

[Luke Owens]

Jim Pope has climbed Helvitia at Shipwreck Cove

https://twitter.com/jimpopeonarope/status/612679603472175104/photo/1

[Duma]

*helvetia*
/pedantry.

[Doylo]

I thought Dave Pickford had done the 2nd ascent. Could be wrong though. Also heard some holds have changed and might be 8b+ now?

[abarro81]

2 ways to do it by the sounds of it - one direct and the other with a little loop. No idea what Jim did.
 http://jordanbuysclimbing.tumblr.com/post/98717213754/two-trips-down-to-the-beautiful-south-saw-a-mix-of

[standard]

UKC says holds have broken, so now 8b+
http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=239406

[jimpopeonarope]

I did it the direct way the same way Ben did the first ascent, a hold was removed leaving a bigger hold which made the crux easier but was soon filled back in and isnt there anymore. It probably is more like 8b+ than 8c but I havnt done enough of either grade to know what it is. Its a great route regardless of the grade.

[Doylo]

Good effort. If a hold got bigger on one of my routes I'd fill it in too.

[Wood FT]

I did it the direct way the same way Ben did the first ascent, a hold was removed leaving a bigger hold which made the crux easier but was soon filled back in and isnt there anymore. It probably is more like 8b+ than 8c but I havnt done enough of either grade to know what it is. Its a great route regardless of the grade.

Nice work Jim, keep it up

[fatneck]

[Nigel]

Nice work Jim, keep it up

Said Captain Kirk's girlfriend.