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Climbers divide into two groups; those who have been to Yosemite, and those who want to. The legendary California valley, home to the fabled El Capitan, is a place forever intertwined with the history of rock climbing, a crucible where standards have been forced and reputations made for generations. This year we are lucky enough to have several climbers with us who have made their mark on Yosemite granite, so we’re taking this opportunity to devote the entire Climb Session to tales, films and adventures from the Valley. Last year Billy Ridal and Alex Waterhouse hit the headlines with their phenomenal free ascent of The Nose, becoming the first British pair to do so. Despite their total lack of big wall experience they just got stuck in, and with a positive mindset and a rapid learning curve, topped out on a route that has seen less than 10 free ascents since Lynn Hill first succeeded in 1993.
Hazel Findlay is no stranger to Yosemite, having climbed both hard single-pitch (Magic Line 5.14c) and four El Cap free lines: Golden Gate, PreMuir, Free Rider and Salathe. Known as ‘the master of climbing mindset’, Hazel finds herself repeatedly drawn to The Valley and talks both about the magic of the place, and the challenges of big-wall life.
When Leo Houlding first arrived in Yosemite as a wide-eyed 18-year-old, he immediately felt he had found his place and his people. Camp 4 was “a real-world Neverland inhabited by lost boys who would play dangerous games forever and never grow up” and for the next 16 seasons Leo lived the dirtbag dream as part of the Stone Monkeys, culminating in his free ascent of The Prophet (5.13d).
Jamie Logan is one of the pioneers in North American free climbing, from Yosemite big walls to alpine exploits in the Himalayas and Alaska, culminating in the first ascent of the Emperor Face on Mt. Robson with Mugs Stump in 1978. Back in those days she went by the name Jim, but in her 60s Jamie transitioned to a woman; a decision she has called “way scarier than the Emperor Face.” Still regularly on-sighting 5.11 and projecting 5.13, Jamie offers insight into her time in the Valley with the legendary Stone Masters.
Presenting the Session will be Pete Whittaker, no stranger to Yosemite climbing. Pete decided rope soloing would be his thing and in 2016 made the first all-free rope-solo ascent of El Capitan in a day, climbing the classic 37-pitch Freerider 5.12d in just over 20 hours. Then in 2018, Pete rope-soloed Half Dome and El Capitan in a day. Pete will steer the conversation in what promises to be a fascinating and unique event.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Kendal Leisure Centre (Kendal Leisure Centre), Burton Road,Kendal, United Kingdom
Tickets
