Climbs

Climb Name Type Grade # Ascents Recorded Notes Exclude Reason
La Rose et le Vampire Sport route 8b 12
London Wall Trad climb E5 12
Mandela Sport route 8a+ 12

So-named because it was said it would never go free.

Milk It Boulder problem (indoor) 8B 12

Considered the hardest of the 8B trio, with some today considering it 8B+. This didnt see a repeat for nearly 20 years until Alex Megos repeated it in 2016

Mirror Reality Boulder problem 8B+ 12
Monk Life Boulder problem 8B+ 12
Muscle Car Boulder problem 8B+ 12
Ninja Skills Boulder problem 8B+ 12
Off the Wagon Low Boulder problem 8C+ 12
Prinzip Hoffnung Trad climb E9 12
Silbergeier Sport route 8b+ 12
Squoze Boulder problem 8B+ 12
Super Crackinette Sport route 9a+ 12
The Kingdom Boulder problem 8B+ 12
The Mandala Boulder problem 8A+ 12
The Walk of Life Trad climb E9 12

A route with a complicated history. An indirect line called Dyer Straits was originally climbed by Ian Vickers that used a lot of pegs (although the pegs were not placed by Vickers) [2]. James Pearson then removed the pegs and added a direct start suggesting the lofty grade of E12. The route was quickly repeated by Dave Macleod (who was injured at the time) who suggested a downgrade to E9.

The harsh criticism which was levelled at James from the climbing community for over grading the route led to him moving to Innsbruck to get away from the UK climbing scene.

James has subsequently discussed how, having grown up bouldering and leading short, bold routes on the gritstone, The Walk of Life was well outside his comfort zone and, lacking the skills to recognise his own weaknesses, then led him to suggest such a lofty grade. [1]

References

[1] https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HAuDaq2kSHM6L7vdDu6uu?

[2] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/james-pearson-interview-after-the-walk-of-life.html

The Wheel of Life Boulder problem 8B+ 12

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2019/07/australian_access_issues_-_breaking_up_is_hard_to_do-72012

Ubik Assis Boulder problem 8B 12
Voie Petit Sport route 8b 12
Zef Boulder problem 8B+ 12

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