Pete Robins

The long awaited third ascent.

References

[1] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,10607.msg216123.html#msg216123

[2] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2009/08/pete_robins_repeats_liquid_ambar_f8c-48983

References

[1] https://vimeo.com/51343015

[2] https://youtu.be/aBdbUUzdvjg?t=3391

References

[1] https://youtu.be/aBdbUUzdvjg?t=2522

References

[1] https://vimeo.com/70464718

[2] https://youtu.be/aBdbUUzdvjg?t=2128

I tried it a bit last year when I wasn't climbing that well, and at that time it felt really hard - in fact I wasn't sure I could do it. This winter I've bouldered a lot, and that gave me the edge I needed. [1]

References

[1] Slate Historical Section

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/CKyTV40jqJp/

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7B5WUmuBMc

References

[1] https://vimeo.com/48944640

References

[1] https://www.northwalesbouldering.com/newsitem.asp?nsid=734

[2] https://vimeo.com/100576192

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2007/05/spinal_crack_repeated-36515

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SxH2ILd74c

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/CKMl4gmjagv/

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/the_promise_-_e10_or_e8-1466

[2] https://vimeo.com/2458024

[3] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/the_promise_-ground_up-_video-1499

https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=107569

It was 2001, after the foot and mouth pandemic. My heart was set on Zero, an incredible line with a level of mystique surrounding it's difficulty and history. I set off confidently and climbed to a ring peg at ten meters. The rock was dirty and hard to read but I continued by increasingly tenuous climbing, with no more protection, until below the substance of the route: a slim open groove twenty meters above the ground. I had been here two summers before and, overwhelmed by the danger, managed to downclimb . This time Neil Dyer, my belayer, suggested abseiling down the line before I set off. I didn't watch, and his only comment was there was a runner right where you needed it. That was enough and there I was again. I couldn't see the runner but entered the groove hoping to find it after a move or two. I hadn't meant to commit myself, but almost immediately, I was stuck; my toes on lichenous smears and my fingers on sidepulls. I couldn't see the gear placement and started to panic - I was certain a slip would land me on the ground. 'Where the fuck is that runner Neil?' I was tiring rapidly - I realised I had to get a grip and press on without the protection. I blanked all outside thoughts and climbed, out of control, until I reached a better hold. With this new found security, I regained control of my mind and all it's fear. I was exhausted and shaking uncontrollably, facing a deck out from 25 meters: couldn't recover on the hold, couldn't swap fingers, but knew I had to get out of there, so climbed with conviction to the top. It bought to mind the tale of [John] Redhead and [Dave] Towse on Clogwyn Du'r Arddu (Cloggy). Towse talked and coaxed JR's tired arms to a crucial RP, and sanctuary, in the fading light, narrowly avoiding a horrific end. Through JR's eyes, Towse had been reckless and nearly killed his friend. 'You've let me down Dave, you bastard, you've let me down'. How little we care for our mate's lives when we say 'go for it!'. They walked away laughing from Margins of the Mind. I shouted down to a relieved belayer 'You've let me down Neil, you've let me down'. We both smiled nervously as I brought him up. [1]

References

[1] Ogwen (Climber's Club Guides) (2010) by Mike Bailey, page 412

I actually slipped off the crux, and the RP (the only runner) held me. I thought I was a goner! The RP always pulled through on a top rope [when testing it]. [1]

References

[1] Llanberis - Sixth Edition 2009, by Iwan Arfon Jones, page 407

References

[1] A record of ground-up and on-sight climbing on Peak, Yorkshire and Lancashire gritstone

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gu6BgbVqH4