The Young | 7C+ Boulder problem at Callaly


Highball. Slab.

Dan Varian:

The Young is one of the most incredible pieces of sandstone i have seen in the flesh, a perfect tablet of stone situated in the forest with an incredible view, soft grassy landing (with even the slightest rock or root this route would become alot scarier). [1]

References

[1] http://beastmakerblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/young.html

Contributors
remus
18 contributions since 5th July 2023.
TdG
15 contributions since 31st July 2025.
ben
12 contributions since 13th October 2025.

Pics + Vids

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Ascents

7 recorded ascents, including 1 unsuccessful ascent.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Andy Earl Boulder | worked 2000 E8
First ascent.

Andy took a direct line straight up at the top. Some subsequent ascents have taken an easier line left at the top. Andy's original sequence was harder than the sequence used now with some suggestions being that his sequence was around 8A/+. [2]

Chris Graham:

Having seen Andy on it, he was certainly playing to his bone-crushing finger strength by making a cross through to opposing, shallow pockets and moving up from there whereas Dan ended up making a long move from one of these holds and could just get his fingers onto the poor sloper above. After matching on this, it’s a series of tenuous, balancy moves on some weird looking ‘pancake’ features to the top. [1]

References

[1] https://climbonline.co.uk/2020/05/05/andy-earl-on-top-of-the-world/

[2] https://beastmakerblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/young.html

Dan Varian Boulder | worked 2010
Franco Cookson Boulder | did not finish Mar 2019

A ground-up ascent of the top two thirds of the route, so not so much Did Not Finish as Did Not Start. Cookson bouldered out the hard start to a good hold, from where it's possible to reach into the adjacent crack. He then had several ground-up attempts at the rest of the route, starting by stepping in from the crack. The harder direct finish was taken and Cookson succeeded after taking some worrying ground falls. He chose not to link the whole route.

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2019/03/ground_up_variation_of_the_young_for_franco_cookson-71899

Tim Blake Boulder | worked 7th Jun 2020
Third ascent.

Third ascent of the original line, finishing direct at the top, rather than heading out right.

There's no way I could say I'd done Earl's 'The Young' without doing it properly; I can just imagine what he'd say to that!

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2020/06/third_ascent_of_the_young_by_tim_blake-72342

Alex Moore Boulder | ground up 25th Oct 2020
Calum Coldwell-Story Boulder | ground up 25th Oct 2020
Joe Gardner Boulder | worked 2025