Robin Barker

https://www.facebook.com/rockarchivist/photos/a.117978419659044/117979802992239

https://www.facebook.com/rockarchivist/photos/a.117978419659044/117979096325643

Second ascent. 1993 or 1994.

https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,10607.msg439184.html#msg439184

Second ascent. Robin had a finger injury at the time!

In terms of the grade, I suspect I was a bit over-zealous with suggesting 6c and 7a is likely the correct grade. In previous discussions with Malcolm I think we agreed something like E8 / 7a / 8b / 7C+. Regardless of the grade, Transcendence is a very fine line with superb climbing and a might good effort from Malcolm at the time. [1]

[1] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,10607.msg581608.html#msg581608

I held Robin’s ropes when he repeated it. I’ll always remember because he was mid crux and then slapping for the break when a RAF Tornado roared past the crag a few meters away with a body shaking, terrifying, ear splitting boom just as he grabbed the break with one hand just as I clamped both of mine over my ears with the ropes held lightly in one hand. I was mightily relieved that he didn’t fall off. Great days 😳 [2]

[2] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,10607.msg581588.html#msg581588

On his first attempt Robin soloed the scary start, placed the cams in the break and then down climbed to the ground. The cams were then left pre-clipped for subsequent attempts.

https://www.facebook.com/rockarchivist/photos/a.115413049915581/115415916581961

https://www.facebook.com/rockarchivist/photos/a.117978419659044/117980099658876

https://www.facebook.com/rockarchivist/photos/a.117978419659044/117981222992097

https://www.facebook.com/rockarchivist/photos/a.115413049915581/115413879915498

https://www.facebook.com/rockarchivist/photos/a.115413049915581/115414339915452

https://www.facebook.com/rockarchivist/photos/a.117978419659044/117981336325419