All climbers

Derek grew up in the UK and started climbing in the Peak DIstrict. In 1983 he moved to the US where he spent the rest of his life.

Derek was a prolific solo climber. He was particularly well known for soloing routes close to his lead grade.

He died in 1993 in a solo fall from the Steck / Salathé (E2) in Yosemite, a route well within his capability. It has been speculated that he may have been caught in a rain shower. [2]

Steve 'Crusher' Bartlett:

Regularly he’d have the kind of day the rest of us only dream about. Thumbing through his copy of Boulder Climbs South guide fosters a sense of humility. It’s all there: “The Naked Edge - solo;” “Le Toit - solo;” “Climb of the Century - solo;” “Jules Verne - solo;” “Neon Lights - solo." This list could get monotonous—‘solo’ adjoins climb after climb, most of the routes in the book. Once, he figured he’d soloed Outer Space probably 100 times. Another time he told me he’d done the second through seventh free ascents of Night (5.11b/c vs [very serious]). [3]

References

[1] Obituary: Derek Hersey from The Independent newspaper https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-derek-hersey-1494003.html

[2] https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13199403102/Fall-on-Rock-Climbing-Alone-and-Unroped-WeatherProbably-California-Yosemite-Valley-Sentinel-Rock

[3] https://www.deserttowersbook.com/derek-hersey-obituary2019

Big wall climber, author and professional photographer.