Hard Flash or Onsight Ascents by British Climbers

One of the first 8a+ onsights in the UK.

Early 1990s.

References

[1] Llanberis Slate. United Kingdom: Ground Up, 2011.

One of the first 8a+ onsights in the UK.

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=137438

Later that year [1994] Sharples was seen picking his jaw up off the floor, having just watched Nick Sellers [sic] flash his route. [1]

Ted Kingsnorth:

When asked whether he knew much about the route beforehand, he replied there wasn't a single hand or foothold he didn't know like the back of his hand. [2]

References

[1] Peak Limestone North, First Ascents Supplement /file/bc3fd0e4-a3ee-a736-1cbf-d68af9f0910e/peak_lime_north_first_ascents.pdf

[2] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,31364.msg638920.html#msg638920

References

[1] On The Edge Issue 71, page 8

It's one of those routes that're much easier to flash than on-sight. If you didn't know a key piece of information you wouldn't know where to go - knowing what to do it felt more like 8a+. [1]

References

[1] On The Edge 122, page 14.

With this ascent Steve became the first British climber to onsight 8b+.

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2008/06/mcclure_flashes_8b+_at_kilnsey-44705

Not a true flash as Chris had climbed The Thumb, which shares a finish with Urgent Action, two weeks previously. [1]

References

[1] https://www.8a.nu/crags/sportclimbing/united-kingdom/kilnsey/sectors/the-north-buttress/routes/urgent-action/

References

[1] http://www.steve-mcclure.com/articles/116-tom-et-je-ris

Hell yeah!! Fought hard from bottom to top, and climbed well apart from nearly pumping out and punting off trying to get a knee in low down. Down to 8b/+ in the new guide, fuck it, consensus rules! Plus Siegrist took the + and he downgrades all my hard stuff ;)

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2018/01/kale_borroka_8b+_onsight_by_jim_pope-71446

First 8a+ flash by a british woman.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmafyrQjZSR/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/B6vHgo5jh0X/

Not quite a proper flash as Pete had climbed R'n'P before.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/B14czh3DgPR/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CH3E9SynMqo/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CMFes5-DSPo/

First British woman to flash 8a+ in the UK.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CVdrAgoopaS/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CbiOFQXN7lg/

References

[1] https://youtu.be/_FKYPMHJ_Jo?t=618

The same day as onsighting Budo.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/C0LvWQEt79A/

The same day as onsighting Queimada.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/C0LvWQEt79A/

Questing sideways for 50m on greasy choss in the golden sunset, occasionally looking back and realising the last few death-trap in-situ slings still had their gates stuck open. Brilliant and terrible in equal measure depending on what you want from it! Maybe doesn't feel so tricky if clean and brushed? Had flashed the intro back in 2010 (when it was 7b+, definitely 7c in its current state) and knew a rest where you cross Fabela, the rest was onsight.

Not a pure flash as Alex had onsighted Blomu R1 13 years previously.

References

[1] https://climbonline.co.uk/2020/05/05/andy-earl-on-top-of-the-world/

References

[1] On The Edge 118, page 10

One of the hardest onsight first ascents at the time.

Early 90s.