Nick Dixon


Quick Info

From: United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Gender: Male
Hardest Boulder (Worked): 8A
Hardest Sport (Worked): 7a
Hardest Trad (Worked): E9
Notable Partnerships
Andy Popp
Johnny Dawes

Bold English trad. climber. Coined the term "Headpoint" for his ascent of Face Mecca to describe climbing trad. routes after top-rope practice. Has headpointed at least one E8 or harder every year from 1986-2025.

References

[1] Interview with Niall Grimes.

[2] https://ukbouldering.com/threads/re-benchmarks-for-the-elderly.32130/page-10

[3] https://services.thebmc.co.uk/big-issues-2-ethics

Contributors
178 contributions since 19th January 2021.
TdG
74 contributions since 18th August 2025.
46 contributions since 11th July 2025.

Quick Info

From: United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Gender: Male
Hardest Boulder (Worked): 8A
Hardest Sport (Worked): 7a
Hardest Trad (Worked): E9
Notable Partnerships
Andy Popp
Johnny Dawes

Bold English trad. climber. Coined the term "Headpoint" for his ascent of Face Mecca to describe climbing trad. routes after top-rope practice. Has headpointed at least one E8 or harder every year from 1986-2025.

References

[1] Interview with Niall Grimes.

[2] https://ukbouldering.com/threads/re-benchmarks-for-the-elderly.32130/page-10

[3] https://services.thebmc.co.uk/big-issues-2-ethics

Contributors
178 contributions since 19th January 2021.
TdG
74 contributions since 18th August 2025.
46 contributions since 11th July 2025.

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Podcasts


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Pics + Vids

No pics or vids yet.


Ascents

49 recorded ascents.

This timeline is missing some ascents where the date of the ascent is unknown.
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Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Clarion Call 7a Lead | worked 1983

Climbed without the bolts at E6 6a, he used a piece of rock to hammer in a peg mid way through the ascent.

Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Lupino Lane 8A Boulder | worked 1997
First ascent.

References

[1] Blocheads (2016) /library/11088/blocheads

Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
GreatNess Wall E10 Top Rope | did not finish 2018
Face Mecca E9 Lead | worked Jun 1989
First ascent. With Darrel Crilley.

I'd practiced the crux on abseil many times, and after leaving the belay with just one krab on my belt, it flowed as in a dream until I was on the upper wall after committing through a 6b sequence (15ft above the poor lower-only RURPs and 70ft above the belay). I found moves to finish that I hadn't practiced; why?, why? In desperation, now fully here and awake, I slapped and groped with a pylon's span of rope between me and a grinning Darril [belayer]. [1]

References

[1] Dixon, N. (2004). Clogwyn Dur Arddu: Climbers' Club Guide to Wales, page 187. United Kingdom: Climbers' Club.

Indian Face E9 Lead | worked 1994
Second ascent.

There's one move where I got a left hand sidepull and my right hand was on some nobbles and I came out of my head space because I realised that I couldn't move from that position as freely as planned and pre-practiced as I hadn't accounted for the rope drag. I had to snatch for the next hold, some pebbles. There were about three seconds where I lost my calm a little bit and I had to collect myself. I think Neil had far more of a worry on it. [1]

-

It's like an HVS, only with smaller holds. [2]

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/nick_dixon_-_indian_face_the_first_repeat-5756

[2] Colin Wells. Who's who in British Climbing: Bite-sized Biographies of Dead Climbers - and Some that are Still Alive. United Kingdom: Climbing Company, 2008.

Gribin Wall Climb E9 Lead | worked 24th May 1997 E8
First ascent. Harder than West Indian Face and Indian Face.

Variously reported as E8 or E9 at the time of the first ascent.

References

[1] On The Edge Issue 69, page 9

Rare Lichen E9 Lead | worked 2000
Second ascent. Pre-placed gear. Easier than Gribin Wall Climb.

References

[1] On The Edge Issue 101, page 64

A Thousand Setting Suns E9 Lead | worked Jul 2009
Once Upon a Time in the Southwest E9 Lead | worked 2024
Doug E8 Solo | worked Apr 1986
First ascent.

Doug had a couple of helpers stretch a blanket out underneath him while he attempted to make the first ascent, hoping they would be able to use it to catch him in case of a fall. [1]

References

[1] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,33960.msg690840.html#msg690840

End of the Affair E8 Lead | worked Between 8th Sep 1986 and 30th Sep 1986
Second ascent. Belayed by Andy Popp.

Nick had belayed Johnny on his ascent; Andy Popp belayed Nick, and later made the third ascent – thus beginning the curse of The End of the Affair…

References

[1] Westlake, D. (2010). Froggatt to Black Rocks, page 178.

Berlin Wall E8 Lead | worked Apr 1989
First ascent.
Tender Homecoming E8 Solo | worked 7th Apr 1990
First ascent.
My Piano E8 Lead | worked 1994
First ascent.

Footage of a later ascent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvnY_x5wYFo.

Off the Rocks E8 Lead | worked 1995
First ascent.
Smoked Salmon E8 Lead | worked Between 1st Jan 1995 and 1st Jan 2000
Second ascent. 6 sessions.
Il y a Stazi E8 Lead | worked 2004
First ascent.
Cassini E8 Lead | worked 13th Sep 2017
First ascent.

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0PlKeLaMjc

Spirit of the Moors E8 Lead | worked Apr 2021
Time Regained E8 Lead | worked Before 28th May 2021
Newdini E8 Lead | worked 2022
Second ascent.
The Hollow Man E8 Lead | worked 29th Jul 2023
The Real Cool Fool E8 Lead | worked 7th May 2025
Une Jeune Fille Quatre Vingt Dix Ans E8 Lead | worked
First ascent.
One Chromosome's Missing E7 Lead | worked 1984
First ascent.
Teenage Menopause E7 Lead | worked May 1984
Polyp Piece E7 Lead | worked 30th Mar 1986
First ascent.
Melancholony E7 Lead | worked 10th Sep 1986
First ascent.

References

[1] Mountain Issue 112, page 18 /library/11111/mountain-112

Gathering Sun E7 Lead | worked 1987
First ascent.
My Halo E7 Lead | worked May 1987
First ascent.
Dinas in the Oven E7 Lead | worked 21st May 1988
First ascent.

An earlier version climbed with Andy Popp in 1985 avoided the main pitch.

The Rite of Spring E7 Lead | onsight 1993
Second ascent.

Prior knowledge of Indian Face but otherwise onsight.

References

[1] Clogwyn Du’r Arddu Climber’s Club guidebook by Nick Dixon.

Beginner's Mind E7 Lead | worked 3rd Jun 1993
First ascent. With Darrel Crilley.
Rite Time E7 Lead | worked 1994
First ascent.
10 O'Clock Saturday Morning E7 Lead | worked 2000
First ascent.
Margins of the Mind E7 Lead | worked Jul 2003 E8
Second ascent.

Over two days. After inspection and preplacing some wires with ropes re-clipped on the second day.

Shropshire Gold E7 Lead | worked 2012
First ascent.

References

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

Art Brut E7 Lead | worked 2020

A lead only in name. Nick attempted to place some marginal gear, then 30s later the gear all fell out so he had to carry on solo!

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pJVRqBQiCA

Sinbad E7 Lead | worked 26th Aug 2022 E7/E8
First ascent.

FA without siderunners

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbFc8wXzbyM

The Master's Edge E7 Lead | worked 26th Feb 2024
The Future Is Watching You E7 Lead | worked 31st Oct 2024
First ascent.

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Kh8r3mx6c

A Fist Full of Crystals E6 Solo | worked 25th Sep 1983
First ascent.

Climbed in mistake for Crystal Grazer (E5).

Lord of the Flies E6 Lead 1984
The Cad E6 Lead | worked 1986

First ascent without the bolts. Bolts removed.

Turd Burglar E6 Lead | worked May 1987
First ascent.
A Fist Full of Crystals E6 Solo | repeat 2000s
Dinas Bach Crack E6 Lead | worked 2002
First ascent.
Clive Coolhead Realises the Excitement of Knowing You May be the Author of Your Own Death is More Intense Than Orgasm E5 Lead | worked 1983
First ascent.
Catastrophe Internationale E5 Solo 1985
First ascent.

References

[1] Mountain Issue 109, page 19 /library/11131/mountain-109

Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade