Emma Twyford

Instagram.com | 8a.nu | UKClimbing.com | ifsc.results.info

Quick Info

From: United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Gender: Female
Hardest Boulder (Worked): 7C+
Hardest Sport (Worked): 9a
Hardest Sport (Onsight): 8a
Hardest Sport (Flash): 8a
Hardest Trad (Worked): E10
Hardest Trad (Onsight): E7
Hardest Trad (Flash): E8
Notable Partnerships
James McHaffie

North wales based crusher and first British woman to climb 9a (skipping 8c+!) with her ascet of Big Bang at Lower Pen Trwyn in 2019.

Contributors
76 contributions since 22nd December 2020.

Quick Info

From: United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Gender: Female
Hardest Boulder (Worked): 7C+
Hardest Sport (Worked): 9a
Hardest Sport (Onsight): 8a
Hardest Sport (Flash): 8a
Hardest Trad (Worked): E10
Hardest Trad (Onsight): E7
Hardest Trad (Flash): E8
Notable Partnerships
James McHaffie

North wales based crusher and first British woman to climb 9a (skipping 8c+!) with her ascet of Big Bang at Lower Pen Trwyn in 2019.

Contributors
76 contributions since 22nd December 2020.

Lists

Podcasts

Pics + Vids

No pics or vids yet.

Ascents

28 recorded ascents.

This timeline is missing some ascents where the date of the ascent is unknown.
Sort
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Big Bang 9a Lead | worked 17th Sep 2019
Third ascent. First female ascent.

The first British woman to climb 9a, skipping 8c+ in the process.

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrJ5fH_rDtg
Mind Control 8c Lead | worked Feb 2018

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2018/02/mind_control_8c_by_emma_twyford-71489
Fish Eye 8c Lead | worked 2019

References

[1] https://services.thebmc.co.uk/emma-twyford-ticks-8c-and-finds-a-potential-9a-project
Unjustified 8b+ Lead | worked Aug 2014
Crimptonite 8b+ Lead | worked Feb 2022

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CaUTgSUtl-G/
Deux Mauvais Melons 8b+ Lead | worked 7th May 2023
First ascent.

The hardest female first ascent in the UK at the time it was done.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CsBtOCerfrH/
Predator 8b Lead | worked 25th Apr 2011
Melancholie 8b Lead | worked Jun 2015
Fun de Chichunne 8a Lead | onsight 22nd Oct 2010

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2010/10/emma_twyford_onsights_f8a-58510
Statement of Youth 8a Lead | flash 29th May 2011
Doctor Feelgood 8a Lead | onsight Mar 2024
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Bara Brith Low 7C+ Boulder | worked 7th Jan 2024
With Elin Lois.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/C1zttqUNR5s/
Lotus 7C+ Boulder | worked
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Yma O Hyd E10 Lead | worked 27th Aug 2025
Third ascent. First female ascent.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/DN450zQiPkN/

[2] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2025/09/emma_twyford_repeats_yma_o_hyd_e10_7a-74031
Rare Lichen E9 Lead | worked 23rd Sep 2013
First female ascent.

Second british woman to climb E9.

Did Rare Lichen up on Griben Facet in the Ogwen Valley which is given E9 6c. Such a cool route with some seriously small gear! I was not hopeful of doing it as it was pretty grim walking in then it burnt off! The rock felt a bit smeggy and just as I was about to set off some low level cloud came in. Decided to have a look and shout for a rope if it felt awful. Middle pic is of me pulling a terrified face just before setting off and the end pic is of me celebrating still being in one piece and not in a hospital. Thanks to Alex for belaying me very attentively and Ray and Llyr for being very nice whilst filming it.

References

[1] https://www.thebmc.co.uk/emma-twyford-interview

[2] https://twitter.com/McHaffieJames/status/382211879474855937

[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0yIxeGoXOs
Once Upon a Time in the Southwest E9 Lead | worked 23rd May 2018
The Big Issue E9 Lead | worked Aug 2018
Mission Impossible E9 Lead | worked 2nd Jul 2024

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/reel/C87i-CaNMqI/

[2] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2024/07/emma_twyford_climbs_mission_impossible_e9_6c-73724
Olwen E9 Lead | worked 13th Jul 2024

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9kfOysNwgB/
Impact Day E8 Lead | worked Jul 2015

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2015/07/impact_day_e8_for_woodburn_mchaffie_and_twyford-69824
Gravity Wave E8 Lead | flash Mar 2016

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2016/03/emma_twyford_flashes_gravity_wave_e8-70345
Nightmayer E8 Lead | worked Jul 2018

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2018/07/nightmayer_e8_6c_by_emma_twyford-71648
Chupacabra E8 Lead | worked 2020

References

[1] Summit magazine Issue 104, page 43
Mercia Wall E8 Lead | worked 2021

[1] Summit magazine #104, page 43
Cassini E8 Lead | worked
Fourth ascent.
Bucket Dynasty E7 Lead | flash Aug 2014
Strawberries E7 Lead | worked 2nd Oct 2014
First female ascent.

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2014/10/strawberries_e7_6b_for_emma_twyford-69213
Always the Sun E7 Lead | onsight Aug 2021

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CTCfdqAjEpW/
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade