Gaia | E8 Trad climb at Black Rocks

UKClimbing.com | 8a.nu
See also Harder Faster.

A classic Johnny Dawes test piece. A hard move gains entry to the groove where easier (but scarier!) climbing awaits before a terrifying finale.

Contributors
remus
131 contributions since 28th December 2020.
TdG
21 contributions since 11th August 2025.

Library

Pics + Vids

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Ascents

29 recorded ascents, including 3 unsuccessful ascents.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Johnny Dawes Lead | worked Mar 1986
First ascent. Belayed by Bob Drury.

An impressive effort after minimal top rope practice.

References

[1] Mountain Issue 109, page 19 /library/11131/mountain-109
Seb Grieve Lead | worked 5th Mar 1989
Second ascent.
Zaff Ali Lead | worked 1996
Third ascent.

References

[1] On The Edge Issue 63, page 6 /library/11066/on-the-edge-63
Leo Houlding Lead | worked 1996
Fourth ascent.

References

[1] On The Edge 63, page 10 /library/11066/on-the-edge-63
Jean-minh Trin-Thieu Lead | did not finish 25th Oct 1997
Belayed by Seb Grieve.

The iconic opening scene from Hard Grit.

I was conscious of the risk and for sure I was very lucky. I would say now that I will never do this route, it's over in my head. [3]

References

[1] Hard Grit (1998)

[2] On The Edge Issue 73, page 9

[3] On The Edge Issue 73, page 30
Tom de Gay Lead | worked Sep 1998

References

[1] On The Edge Issue 84, page 11
Mike Robertson Lead | worked Before 1st Jan 1999

References

[1] On The Edge Issue 84, page 11
Mike Weeks Lead | worked 1999

References

[1] On The Edge Issue 90, page 11
Dan Honneyman Lead | did not finish 2001

Dan took a monster with both hands on the final sloper
Tobias Wolf Lead | worked 2003

References

[1] High Mountain Issue 253, page 12
Lisa Rands Lead | worked 2004
First female ascent.
Dan Bradley Lead | worked 19th Dec 2007
Kevin Jorgeson Solo | worked Nov 2008

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/B_my7ogDe11/
Alex Honnold Lead | flash 12th Nov 2008

Not a true onsight since I've seen movies, but there was no chalk. Good times one way or another.

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYbRNt4GjXE

[2] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/alex-honnold-flashes-gaia-e8-6c.html
Ryan Pasquill Lead | flash 2009

References

[1] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,10607.msg427524.html#msg427524
Nathan Lee Lead | worked 27th Oct 2012
Cailean Harker Lead | worked 17th Jan 2013
Dave Mason Lead | flash Nov 2013
Katy Whittaker Lead | worked 3rd Nov 2013

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/BaHhCYZFmjJ/
Mark Rankine Lead | ground up 25th Jan 2015

References

[1] https://vimeo.com/131717281#t=42m14s
Keita Kurakami Lead | worked Jan 2016

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2017/05/keita_kurakami_on_the_walk_of_life_e9_6c-71096
Sean McColl Lead | worked Mar 2016

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Plhx0ztZkI
Caroline Ciavaldini Lead | worked 24th Dec 2020

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2020/12/hard_grit_repeats_by_james_pearson_and_caroline_ciavaldini-72675

[2] https://youtu.be/gygJgiXGxOk?t=277
Siebe Vanhee Lead | flash Nov 2021

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CWjCXbLF9O6/

[2] https://youtu.be/OOCq9kOgF8I?t=445
Issac Buckley Lead | worked 15th Apr 2023
Pietro Vidi Lead | worked 30th Sep 2025

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/DPbcVeLDO59/
Jorg Verhoeven Lead | worked

References

[1] https://vimeo.com/182225698
George Ulrich Lead | did not finish

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRmEukG-ouQ
Niall Grimes Lead | worked