Martin Atkinson

Instagram.com | UKClimbing.com
Also known as: Basher

Quick Info

From: United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Gender: Male
Hardest Sport (Worked): 8b+
Hardest Trad (Worked): E7

Martin started climbing in Yorkshire, England around 1974. He was part of the generation who took over from Pete Livesey and Ron Fawcett.

For the first part of my climbing...I just wanted to do everything that Ron did... The Vision, Eye of the Tiger, whatever it was as soon as he did it I just wanted to do it! [3]

References

[1] Statement of Youth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeqI9axxrco.

[2] Interview with Jon Barton of Vertebrate Publishing https://www.v-publishing.co.uk/blog/v-publishing-blog/the-climbers-of-84-hunter-house-road/

[3] Interview on his route Mecca - The Mid-life Crisis https://vimeo.com/68128640

Contributors
15 contributions since 7th February 2021.

Quick Info

From: United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Gender: Male
Hardest Sport (Worked): 8b+
Hardest Trad (Worked): E7

Martin started climbing in Yorkshire, England around 1974. He was part of the generation who took over from Pete Livesey and Ron Fawcett.

For the first part of my climbing...I just wanted to do everything that Ron did... The Vision, Eye of the Tiger, whatever it was as soon as he did it I just wanted to do it! [3]

References

[1] Statement of Youth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeqI9axxrco.

[2] Interview with Jon Barton of Vertebrate Publishing https://www.v-publishing.co.uk/blog/v-publishing-blog/the-climbers-of-84-hunter-house-road/

[3] Interview on his route Mecca - The Mid-life Crisis https://vimeo.com/68128640

Contributors
15 contributions since 7th February 2021.

Library

Pics + Vids

No pics or vids yet.

Ascents

8 recorded ascents.

This timeline is missing some ascents where the date of the ascent is unknown.
Sort
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Mecca - The Mid-life Crisis 8b+ Lead | worked Sep 1988
First ascent.

The hardest route in the UK at the time, and completed the day before Martin moved to Switzerland to start a job with Mammut [1].

We ended up having this enormous bouldering session...doing loads of stuff and feeling really strong...then someone said "come on, have a go then" and I just did it. [1]

Pete Oxley:

I was at the crag when Basher sent Mecca - his last effort on his last day in the UK - how cool was that? Everyone stopped when he was on it - dead quiet - only the clouds moved. I was on In Brine and leaned out from a high bolt to watch, with bated breath, as history was made. [2]

References

[1] https://vimeo.com/68128640

[2] Kelly, Phil., Hoey, Graham., Barker, Giles Ellis. Peak Rock: The History, the Routes, the Climbers. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Graphics Limited, 2013. Page 240.
Supercool 8a+ Lead | worked 1987
First ascent.
Revelations (Pre-1999) 8a+ Lead | worked Before 1st Jan 1991

References

[1] The Power of Climbing (1991) by David Jones, page 192
Chouca 8a+ Lead | worked
Third ascent?

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/ukc/supercool_duncan_drake_versus_martin_atkinson-493019?v=1#x6743460
The Dangerous Brothers 8a Lead | worked 14th Mar 1987
First ascent.
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Dream Topping E7 Lead | worked 15th Oct 1984
First ascent.

References

[1] https://www.facebook.com/rockarchivist/photos/a.116371059819780/116374463152773
The Master's Edge E7 Lead | worked
Third ascent?

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/ukc/supercool_duncan_drake_versus_martin_atkinson-493019?v=1#x6743460
Sidekick E6 Lead | worked 26th Aug 1984
First ascent.

References

[1] https://www.facebook.com/rockarchivist/photos/a.116371059819780/116374353152784
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade