Originally climbed with no pads and a single ball nut for protection. James gave it E10, believing any fall would involve hitting the ground. Subsequent ascents tested the ball nut (above pads) and found it to be better than expected with the ball nut holding around 20 falls. Based on this, grades around E7 to E8 were suggested.
Due to the falls the quality of the placement deteriorated, with Jordan Buys ripping the gear in a fall from high on the route. It is not clear how reliable the placement currently is. [1]
Now usually climbed as a highball above a big pile of pads.
[1] https://johnroberts.me/outdoors/2011/11/the-promise-is-it-finally-the-end-of-the-affair/
9 successful ascents recorded.
| Climber | Style | Ascent Date | Suggested Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Pearson First ascent. | Lead | worked | Mar 2007 | E10 |
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Climbed with a single slider for protection and no pads. References |
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| Kevin Jorgeson Second ascent. | Lead | worked | 28th Oct 2008 | E8 |
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Kevin found an easier sequence and used a couple of pads to improve the landing. References[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2008/10/kevin_jorgeson_repeats_the_promise-45410 [2] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2008/10/the_promise__-_kevins_account-45411 |
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| Alex Honnold Third ascent. | Lead | worked | 1st Nov 2008 | E8 |
| Pete Robins Fourth ascent. Second go. | Lead | ground up | 7th Dec 2008 | E7 |
| Ben Bransby | Lead | worked | 7th Dec 2008 | |
References[1] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,10607.msg176038.html#msg176038 [2] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/the_promise_-ground_up-_video-1499 |
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| John Roberts | Lead | worked | 7th Dec 2008 | E8 (hard) |
References[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=103387 [2] https://johnroberts.me/outdoors/2011/11/the-promise-is-it-finally-the-end-of-the-affair/ [3] https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/ukc/the_promise_-_ground_up-332252?v=1#x4901091 |
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| Dan Bradley | Lead | worked | Jan 2010 | |
| Ned Feehally | Boulder | ground up | 2012 | |
References |
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| Mike Adams | Lead | worked | Dec 2024 | |
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Mike used a side runner on the right hand wall which hadn't been used by previous ascentionists. He climbed up to place the runner before down climbing and then climbing the line. References |
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