Cliff Phillips

Also known as: The Captain

Quick Info

From: United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Hardest Trad (Onsight): E1

Andy Popp:

Cliff, a stalwart of the Llanberis scene since the 60s, was a man preceded by his reputation for deep, almost cosmic eccentricity and long-lived dirtbaggery. He was also known for some incredible tales of survival, particularly when he took a reputed 200ft ground fall soloing on the Mot, managing to crawl to the road before passing out. I believe he took another big soloing fall at Tremadog.

I knew Cliff a little as part of the general 'Beris scene in the 80s and remember a rather sweet man. He was a very active new router on the slate at that time, and as a climber he was really much more than the reputation for oddness and mishaps suggests. He was actually very good, on rock and in the Alps. [1]

References

[1] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,18343.msg692404.html#msg692404

Contributors
11 contributions since 21st April 2024.

Quick Info

From: United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Hardest Trad (Onsight): E1

Andy Popp:

Cliff, a stalwart of the Llanberis scene since the 60s, was a man preceded by his reputation for deep, almost cosmic eccentricity and long-lived dirtbaggery. He was also known for some incredible tales of survival, particularly when he took a reputed 200ft ground fall soloing on the Mot, managing to crawl to the road before passing out. I believe he took another big soloing fall at Tremadog.

I knew Cliff a little as part of the general 'Beris scene in the 80s and remember a rather sweet man. He was a very active new router on the slate at that time, and as a climber he was really much more than the reputation for oddness and mishaps suggests. He was actually very good, on rock and in the Alps. [1]

References

[1] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,18343.msg692404.html#msg692404

Contributors
11 contributions since 21st April 2024.

Pics + Vids

No pics or vids yet.


Ascents

4 recorded ascents.

Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Holy, Holy, Holy E2 Lead 28th May 1984
First ascent.
California Arete E1 Solo | onsight 16th Jun 1984
First ascent.
Looning the Tube E1 Solo 19th Jun 1984
Black Spring HVS Solo | did not finish 1970

Cliff took a horrendous fall while attempting to solo the route. He broke his pelvis, crawled 500m down to the road and then managed to drive himself to Nant Peris where he was found slumped over the steering wheel of his car! [1]

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rock_talk/where_are_cliff_phillips_etc_eiger_north_face_now-766006?v=1#x9853887

[2] https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rock_talk/where_are_cliff_phillips_etc_eiger_north_face_now-766006?v=1#x9854503

Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade