Climbing History
A selected history of climbing and mountaineering through the climbers, climbs and media.
4672 Climbers
8292 Climbs
22170 Ascents
Featured
Spots of Time | 9A Boulder problem at Swirl Crags
The first 9A in Britain. Sitting on the slopes of Helvellyn, the name is a reference to a poem by Lakeland poet William Wordsworth:
There are in our existence spots of time,
That with distinct pre-eminence retain
A renovating virtue, whence, depressed,
By false opinion and contentious thought,
Or aught of heavier or more deadly weight,
In trivial occupations, and the round
Of ordinary intercourse, our minds
Are nourished and invisibly repaired;
A virtue, by which pleasure is enhanced,
That penetrates, enables us to mount
When high, more high, and lifts us up when fallen [3]
References
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHE6FsicWVk
[2] https://www.flickr.com/photos/beastmaker/53188941620/in/photostream/
[3] https://users.scc.spokane.edu/JRoth/Courses/World Masterpieces/POETRYCOMPENDIUM/spots_of_time.htm
The first 9A in Britain. Sitting on the slopes of Helvellyn, the name is a reference to a poem by Lakeland poet William Wordsworth:
There are in our existence spots of time,
That with distinct pre-eminence retain
A renovating virtue, whence, depressed,
By false opinion and contentious thought,
Or aught of heavier or more deadly weight,
In trivial occupations, and the round
Of ordinary intercourse, our minds
Are nourished and invisibly repaired;
A virtue, by which pleasure is enhanced,
That penetrates, enables us to mount
When high, more high, and lifts us up when fallen [3]
References
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHE6FsicWVk
[2] https://www.flickr.com/photos/beastmaker/53188941620/in/photostream/
[3] https://users.scc.spokane.edu/JRoth/Courses/World Masterpieces/POETRYCOMPENDIUM/spots_of_time.htm
Pics + Vids
Featuring 10837 pictures and videos. Try searching for a climber, climb or summit to see pics and videos.
Simon Nadin on Beau Geste E7
Support
If you've enjoyed using climbing-history.org please consider supporting the project by joining the patreon. Your support helps pay for the hosting required to keep the site running. Everyone who donates gets added to the supporters page.
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 4346 podcasts. Try searching for a climber to see podcasts with them, or check out some of these podcasts:
- Nathaniel Coleman on The Nugget (2021)
- Lynn Hill on Written in Stone (2024)
- Nicolai Užnik on CIA - Climbing Intelligence Agency (2025)
- Rolando Garibotti on The Cutting Edge (2019)
Library
Featuring 16192 items in the library. Try a search to see what you can find, or check out these library items:
- Blocheads - Ned Feehally Mantel Mastery Film
- A.A.C., Blue Ridge Section (1982) Journal
- Turret Winter Climbs (2018) Guidebook
Recent updates
Notably this ascent made Jakob the first person to climb more than one 9c, and DNA the first 9c to see a repeat.
References
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHM9vEpz2OE
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VDS6dqkMRM
[3] Jakob live streamed his attempts on the route in October 2026 attempt 1, attempt 2, attempt 3, attempt 4, attempt 5, attempt 6, attempt 7, attempt 8, and attempt 9