John is an internationally renowned climber and has established many World class new routes over the last 25 years. He was instrumental in bringing competition climbing to the UK in the late 1980s.
During his long career John has worked with a host of key outdoor brands in roles ranging from product design, procurement, business development and brand marketing and we are happy to welcome John back to Scarpa.
In 2005 John set up the Manchester Climbing Centre and has since established major indoor climbing centres in Harrogate and Reading. John has worked with Sport England on the Sporting Champion scheme and sits as a trustee on the board of the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme.
In 2008 he was invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate the achievements of British Climbers.
John continues to climb in the UK and Europe and further develop his climbing wall business.
-Hometown- |
| Chester, UK. |
-Projects- |
| My main passion is rock climbing; trad, sport and through to bouldering. In addition I’m a keen skier and mountain biker. |
-Successes- |
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Having climbed for over 38 years I have travelled extensively and competed in the early international competitions in Europe. I have opened many news routes around the UK and Europe. • First ascent of Britains first 8B Magnetic Fields Malham 1987 • First ascent of New Statesman E9,7a Ilkley 1987 First E9 on Gritstone • 2nd in the Troubat International Climbing competition 1987 • First ascent of Parthion Shot E9,7a Burbage South 1989 • First ascent of Total Eclipse 8c+/9a Malham 1995 • Digital Crack 8a Auguille de Midi • First ascent of Big Issue E9,6c Pemroke 1996 • First ascent of Loaded E9,7a Ilkley 1997 • First ascent of Widdop Wall E9,7a 1998 |
-Favourite Scarpa- |
| I use a variety of Scarpa shoes with the Vapour V being my go to shoe for general use then the Instinct lace for more technical performance. Then on the steeper routes, I find the Mago superb. |
-No Place too Far- |
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The States and Europe are probably my favourite places to climb with the variety of styles and rock types with stand out places being Joshua Tree, The Needles, Yoesemite, Tuolumne Meadows and Eldorado. Stand out routes for me are: • Bacher - Yerian Medlicott Dome Tuolumne Meadows • American Direct Petit Dru France • Fiesta de los Biceps Riglos Spain • Digital Crack 8a Auguille de Midi • Resovoir Dogs E8,7a Widdop • Strawberries E7,6b Tremadog • Requiem E7,6c Dumbarton Rock |
