[shark]

Neil Carson was the first ascentionist of the Big Bang 9a at LPT way back in 1996. Although Ben and Jerry went on it and confirmed difficulty it wasn’t repeated until 2011 by Caff.

Last year it was repeated by Emma Twyford becoming the first UK female to climb 9a. The award winning film of her ascent by Dave Petts was notable for not mentioning Neil once.

This raised some questions about Neil’s background and climbing career here on UKB. I think its fair to say Neil never got the attention his achievements deserved even in his heyday. Hopefully this interview redressses the balance a bit..

[remus]

That was cool, cheers for taking the time to sort it Shark.

[duncan]

Enjoyed that, always felt like the Big Bang FA was one of the untold stories of UK climbing.

[dunnyg]

Cheers for that Shark

[HarryBD]

Cheers Shark, really good listen

[Doylo]

Nice one   .

[r-man]

Enjoyed that, always felt like the Big Bang FA was one of the untold stories of UK climbing.

Absolutely. And really nice to learn about Neil's life and climbing.

Thanks Shark!

Incidentally, who was the belayer? It would be interesting hear his reflections on the successful go. Sounds like Neil must have gone from well up for it to completely over it pretty soon after clipping the chains.

Ben and Jerry went to try it. Wonder what they made of it. Who else tried? Did Malc ever show an interest?

[remus]

Sounds like Neil must have gone from well up for it to completely over it pretty soon after clipping the chains.

It reminds me a bit of Andy Pollitt on Punks in the Gym. "When redpointing goes too far".

[Doylo]

I don’t think Moony’s opinion is worth too much because he’s using a total duff sequence in the pics. Goes up with the wrong hand on the crux. Think Jerry looked at it before it’d been climbed then ended up bolting LA. Don’t think Malc tried BB.

[shark]

Cheers guys - glad you liked it.

Incidentally, who was the belayer? It would be interesting hear his reflections on the successful go.

I'll ask Neil and see if I can track them down. 

[Adam Lincoln]

Used to see him down the wall (west view) was always really friendly and chatty. Seemed a really nice guy.

[El Mocho]

I enjoyed that. Only knew him a little back in the day, from comps. Sure we must have been away to a few internationals as part of the team but I was mostly a bit later than him. I'd have liked to have asked about Mission Impossible but too late...

[Bonjoy]

Cheers Shark, good interview 

[Ru]

Good stuff. I climbed with him a little bit when he lived in Chorley, before I went to university. Malham and Longridge mostly. He also used to train at Cliffs Barn climbing wall which was my teenage hangout. We'd be doing problems on the woody and he'd come and do 10-minute circuits - it was about a 50-60 degree curved board. I'd hazard a guess that his endurance the late 90s would be impressive even now.

[Andy F]

I remember Neil doing circuits on the Cliffs Barn curved woody. Laps on things most of us couldn't touch.

Side note: What a board that was!

[Fatboyslimfast2]

Just out of intrest my old profile had a pic posted by me in the Old Skool thread of me on Hot Fun Closing from about '88, cant find original in my house or get access to photobucket but heres the link to the thread page, bout half way down.
https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,6644.0.html

The group underneath route has both the Carson boys in, Daves got a grey top on looking up and Neils looking up with his back to us walking toward Rubicon.

Im thinking maybe that is MrJonathan belaying maybe??

[shark]

Incidentally, who was the belayer? It would be interesting hear his reflections on the successful go.

I'll ask Neil and see if I can track them down.

Jethro Kiernan. Messaged him but not heard back yet

[mrjonathanr]

Hi FBSF, don't think it's me belaying, the photo further up is though.

[Camo]

Good interview, thanks shark for sorting it.

He seems like a nice bloke and it was interesting to hear his stories. I do think it was a real shame the Big Bang film didn’t give him a nod for having the vision and the determination to get it done back in the day.

[Doylo]

I do think it was a real shame the Big Bang film didn’t give him a nod for having the vision and the determination to get it done back in the day.

Slightly bizarre in fact. 

[SA Chris]

Indeed. Even more bizarre that Gresh got a look in. Can kind of understand Jerry, based on historical relationship with development of LPT.

[Paul B]

I do think it was a real shame the Big Bang film didn’t give him a nod for having the vision and the determination to get it done back in the day.

I didn't realise the fact I missed the premier meant I'd have to wait. Does anyone know when this is available for general viewing (BMC TV)?

Good effort to Shark for actually getting this done.

[Camo]

I do think it was a real shame the Big Bang film didn’t give him a nod for having the vision and the determination to get it done back in the day.

I didn't realise the fact I missed the premier meant I'd have to wait. Does anyone know when this is available for general viewing (BMC TV)?

Good effort to Shark for actually getting this done.

Not sure but I believe I read somewhere (UKC?) that it would be put on Vimeo on demand. Which I assume means it has to be paid for. Bit of a shame for those who missed it if that’s the case but I guess the people that made it need something to pay their rent with.

[Pantontino]

That was great - nice one Shark!

[rginns]

That was great Simon, totally modest guy for such an achievement, I find it hard to believe none of the history was in the film about Emma, seems integral to any story about a route..