Climbers

References

[1] Obituary in The Guardian by Ed Douglas, February 2006 https://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/feb/18/guardianobituaries.france

[2] Obituary in The Independent by Colin Wells, February 2006 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/jeanchristophe-lafaille-465996.html

[3] Interview with Andy Kirkpatrick and Ian Parnell, 2003 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfKR7v1hC-w

[4] https://www.desnivel.com/alpinismo/alpinistas/20-anos-sin-jean-christophe-lafaille/

References

[1] Interview with Paul Twomey On The Edge Issue 73, page 30

Features in Lock Down Rock Up.

Jesse has lost all his useful vision to Rod-Cone Dystrophy. A genetic condition that causes the light-sensitive cells in the eyes to degenerate.

He was born severely sight impaired having an extremely limited level of vision until, during the first year of his doctoral studies in his mid-twenties, the little sight he had been born with gradually degenerated and he lost the ability to read and write in the literal sense. Today he has lost the last of his useful vision.

While climbing, he is totally reliant on touch and on verbal guidance from his climbing partner, his wife Molly. [1]

In 2019 Jesse became the first blind person to lead climb The Old Man of Hoy.

References

[1] https://jessedufton.com/

Bibliography

[1] Everything You Need to Know About Placing, Evaluating, and Trusting Pitons by Jim Erickson https://www.climbing.com/skills/how-to-place-evaluate-climbing-pitons/

[2] How Climbing Gear Has Evolved Over the Past 50 Years by Jim Erickson https://www.climbing.com/gear/cllimbing-gear-history-erickson/

[3] Cleaning Up Climbing History. The Truth Behind 13 Pivotal Ascents and Events by Jim Erickson https://www.climbing.com/people/cleaning-up-climbing-history/

References

[1] https://www.climbing.com/byline/jim-erickson/

References

[1] Connor, J. (1999). Creagh Dhu Climber: The Life and Times of John Cunningham. United Kingdom: Ernest Press.

[2] https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/ticklists/the_john_cunningham_legacy-6002