Climbing History
A selected history of climbing and mountaineering through the climbers, climbs and media.
3453 Climbers
6762 Climbs
17643 Ascents
Featured
James McHaffie
James McHaffie is a prolific North Wales based trad climber who's also a very capable sport climber. He is one of the best trad onsight climbers in the UK (and potentially the world) with over a hundred E7 onsights to his name. He's also completed some impressive challenges, such as the 100 lakes extremes in a day.
On the 26th May 2021 James climbed Revelations at Raven Tor, the last route of 180 on his way to ticking every route in the book Extreme Rock. This incredible effort demonstrates a huge breadth and depth of experience, from relatively pedestrian climbs such as The Strand at Gogarth (North Stack And Main Cliff) to bold and intimidating leads such as Johnny Dawes' Indian Face and Jerry Moffatt's Master's Wall.
References
[1] Interview with DMM, September 2021 https://dmmwales.com/journal/may-2021/mchaffie-completes-extreme-rock
[2] Interview with RockClimbingUK, 2011 https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php?topic=23709.0
[3] Interview with March Langley for UKClimbing.com, September 2020 https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/james_mchaffie_-_the_cumbrian-13045
[4] Adam Hocking picture of James McHaffie during his 100 lakes extremes in a day challenge https://www.instagram.com/p/CDb9sm3DI-T/
[5] https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/ticklists/caffs_100_lakeland_extremes-890
James McHaffie is a prolific North Wales based trad climber who's also a very capable sport climber. He is one of the best trad onsight climbers in the UK (and potentially the world) with over a hundred E7 onsights to his name. He's also completed some impressive challenges, such as the 100 lakes extremes in a day.
On the 26th May 2021 James climbed Revelations at Raven Tor, the last route of 180 on his way to ticking every route in the book Extreme Rock. This incredible effort demonstrates a huge breadth and depth of experience, from relatively pedestrian climbs such as The Strand at Gogarth (North Stack And Main Cliff) to bold and intimidating leads such as Johnny Dawes' Indian Face and Jerry Moffatt's Master's Wall.
References
[1] Interview with DMM, September 2021 https://dmmwales.com/journal/may-2021/mchaffie-completes-extreme-rock
[2] Interview with RockClimbingUK, 2011 https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php?topic=23709.0
[3] Interview with March Langley for UKClimbing.com, September 2020 https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/james_mchaffie_-_the_cumbrian-13045
[4] Adam Hocking picture of James McHaffie during his 100 lakes extremes in a day challenge https://www.instagram.com/p/CDb9sm3DI-T/
[5] https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/ticklists/caffs_100_lakeland_extremes-890
Pics + Vids
Featuring 8526 pictures and videos. Try searching for a climber, climb or summit to see pics and videos.
Support
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You may also be interested in the Mountain Heritage Trust, a charity dedicated to preserving the rich history of climbing and mountaineering. Their collection includes many unique and valuable items, from rare guidebooks through to the boots worn by Doug Scott on the 1977 Ogre expedition.
Explore
Fancy a look around? You can browse by climber or by climbs, or you can check out some lists. For example
- All sport ascents of 9b or above
- British women who have climbed 7C or above
- British men who have climbed 8c or above
Podcasts
Featuring 3843 podcasts. Try searching for a climber to see podcasts with them, or check out some of these podcasts:
- Lor Sabourin on Lattice Training, February 2021
- Molly Thompson-Smith on Jam Crack Podcast, July 2017
- Jordan Cannon on The Nugget, April 2022
- Thomas Cunningham on The Struggle Climbing Show, June 2023
Library
Featuring 11020 items in the library. Try a search to see what you can find, or check out these library items:
- A Gritstone Year Film
- Alpine Journal 2007 131-136 Gillman Controversies (2007) Journal
- Llanberis Pass (1978) Guidebook
Recent updates
Decent problem, almost impossible to grade. Could be 8B…could be 8A [1]
References
[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/tear_drop_boulder_eskdale-17483/land_of_mead-716745
Alex Honnold is one of the most accomplished solo climbers of all time. His ascents throughout North America and the rest of the world have pushed the soloing standard to new heights.
Most notably Alex was the first person to free solo a route on El Capitan in Yosemite with his ascent of Freerider in 2017.
In January 2026 Alex soloed Taipei 101 in Taiwan in an event that was live streamed on Netflex. [1]
Other Work
Alex co-presents the Climbing Gold podcast alongside Fitz Cahall.
In 2012 Alex founded The Honnold Foundation. The foundation's aim is to improve access to solar electricity.
References
[1] https://www.netflix.com/watch/81987107
[2] Honnold Foundation https://www.honnoldfoundation.org/
Alex Honnold is one of the most accomplished solo climbers of all time. His ascents throughout North America and the rest of the world have pushed the soloing standard to new heights.
Most notably Alex was the first person to free solo a route on El Capitan in Yosemite with his ascent of Freerider in 2017.
In January 2026 Alex soloed Taipei 101 in Taiwan in an event that was live streamed on Netflex. [1]
Other Work
Alex co-presents the Climbing Gold podcast alongside Fitz Cahall.
In 2012 Alex founded The Honnold Foundation. The foundation's aim is to improve access to solar electricity.