Northern Lights | 9a Sport route at Kilnsey

United Kingdom / England / Skipton
UKClimbing.com | 8a.nu
Bolted by Ben Moon in 1993.

Tried extensively by Ben Moon. Despite coming close around 1995 was unable to finish the route due to a combination of poor conditions and injury. Steve McClure's successful ascent in July 2000 represented a passing of the torch, with him taking on the mantle as the UK's pre-eminent sport climber by finishing off Ben's old project.

Contributors
remus
38 contributions since 12th June 2021.

Pics + Vids

No pics or vids yet.

Ascents

6 successful ascents and 2 unsuccessful attempts recorded.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade

References

[1] https://www.facebook.com/climbing.in.the.80s/photos/a.270388289694020/458296474236533

References

[1] Interview with Neil Mann, 2017 https://www.theprojectmagazine.com/features/2017/2/14/interview-malcolm-smith

Steve cemented himself as the top sport climber in the UK, taking over from Moon and Moffatt and leading sport climbing in the UK in to a new era.

Notably, Steve used a different sequence from what Ben Moon was trying with the original line. Steve's sequence loops out slightly where Ben was trying to go very direct.

The route took more out of me than any other and tested more than my climbing ability - mentally it was draining and took over my whole life. I think it had to for me to get up it. For a better climber the route could fall quite quickly, especially without the pressure of it being a first ascent. The moves are totally sustained but never desperate, I'm sure the future of hard climbing is in this style - super sustained thing. [1]

References

[1] On The Edge Issue 101, page 11
Adam Ondra Second ascent. Lead | worked 3rd May 2010

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2016/06/alex_megos_repeats_northern_lights_9a-70498

[2]https://www.facebook.com/AlexanderMegosSportler/photos/a.428895480583768/732079860265327/?type=3

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CP_Zh_QDgxd/

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlQ-iqu6K64

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CTFyABAj_tI/

[2] https://www.instagram.com/tv/CTNcnd8DpfW/

[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKbIoFgK3Fw

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/ChffKtyD3z_/