Round 1 of the Junior Boulder Cup (Issy)

Round 1 of the Junior Boulder Cup was held at The Climbing Unit, Derby. It was my first boulder comp as a youth B. I read through our 8 qualifiers, and I thought they looked technical but do-able. Overall, I flashed 5 boulders, but was unable to complete 3. My score was 5 boulders in 5 attempts, and 8 bonuses in 12 attempts. I was happy with my score, but it wasn't enough to qualify for the final. I thought I had climbed well as I found the problems quite reachy. The comp was great fun!

Junior British Lead Climbing Team Selection (Issy)

After the youth open, I was so happy to find that I have been selected for the 2015 Junior Lead Climbing Team! I am really excited to have the opportunity to compete internationally, and I am really looking forward to the coming year!

Junior Lead Cup Round 1 (Issy)

Qualifier 1

Round 1 of the Junior Lead Cup was held at Awesome Walls, Sheffield in November, and the event was also the GB team selection event for 2015. When I arrived I read through my qualifiers. Route 1 was technical and crimpy, whereas the holds on route 2 looked better but it was more overhanging. I was third to climb on route 1. I found the first couple of clips ok, but the climb was very technical from around the 3rd or 4th clip, where you had to stand in some tiny features in the wall. However I moved  through this section without any problems. It was higher up, around the 7th clip, that there was a hard rock over, and I fell off. I was annoyed with myself, as I immediately knew I should have moved my foot up. After qualifier 1, I was in joint 6th, so I just had to wait for qualifier 2.
I was near the end of the start list for my second route, so I was less nervous. The route looked much more powerful than our previous route, but there was a technical section just under half way up which caused a problem for a few people. When I began the route, the first section was relatively easy. I moved through the technical section, and up onto some nice crimps. Two clips from the top, there was a very pumpy clip which many people did not clip, but in order to move on you had to clip it from the set position. So, when I approached the clip I pulled up the rope immediately. At this point I was very pumped. I managed to rock over onto a huge sloper, and press off the sloper to slap the next hold. It was one of the highest scores, so I was into the final.

On the podium with Catrin and Kitty

We shared our final route with the youth As and Juniors, so it was a hard route. The first half was huge undercuts and some dynamic moves. When it was my turn to climb, I moved through the first few clips easily. Then the route got very steep around half way up. I made a dynamic and reachy move round a corner for a horrible hold with a small edge. I managed to hold the hold, but I couldn't move on from it. When I came down, I found that I had the highest score yet. I was in 1st place, with  three left still to climb. Abbie was next to climb, and she fell off on the move going towards the hold which I was able to hold. I had a podium place! Kitty climbed next, and she fell off in the same place as me, so she was ahead on countback from the qualifiers. Catrin climbed last, and she got a few holds further than us, meaning that she had won. I was so excited to come third in one of my first competitions as a B, as my aim for the competition was to get a podium place.

Me and Finley in our knitted deer hats! Thanks mum!

Welsh Climbing Championships 2014 (Issy)

The Welsh Climbing Championships was held at Boulders, Cardiff, and I competed as a B for this event. The format for the competition was 3 qualifiers, a semi final and a final. Me and Catrin topped all 3 qualifiers, which meant we were in joint first place for the semi finals.
Our route looked technical but do-able. I climbed to the last section with no problems, but the last two holds were awful. I was pumped, and dynoed for the last hold. I touched the bottom of it but did not get it. Catrin also fell off the last move, meaning that we were still tied in first.
There were 5 of us in the final. Our route was a black, and I thought that it looked easier than the semis but there was still a tricky section at the top. I topped the route, along with everyone else in the final. This meant that Catrin and I had to do a superfinal. I climbed second, and the route was fine until a rock-over to a big sloper. I got a hand on the sloper and tried to match it, but missed the thumb catch. The sloper was so bad I couldn't hold on and I slipped off. Catrin had climbed a clip further than me, meaning that I was second.
I was also very proud of my brother, who convincingly won the youth D category!

Me on qualifier 3

On the podium

Welsh Climbing Championships 2014 (Finley)

On Saturday 8th November I got up early and my family drove to the Welsh Climbing Championships at Boulders, Cardiff. I was competing in the Boys D category for the first time. I really liked the look of the routes I was given when I was doing my route reading. There were 25 boys competing in my category.

I flashed each of the qualifiers, made a mistake on the semi-final route, but got the top score in the final when it really mattered. 

I was Boys D winner! 

I felt super strong and I was really happy with how I climbed on the day.

Well done also to Issy (@Issyclimbing) for her second place in the Girls B category after an exciting super-final finish. 

Boys D Podium

My trophy and prizes

Final Route

Semi-final Route

BLCCs 2014 (Issy)

The BLCCs 2014 was hosted by Awesome Walls in Sheffield, and I competed in the Girls C category. We had two qualifiers, graded 6c+ and 7a+. I was nervous at first as I was second to climb on the first qualifier, however I topped it easily. The next qualifier was harder, however I also topped it. 6 other people topped both qualifiers, meaning that 7 people went through to the final. For the final route, we had an orange route which looked technical but do-able. I was 6th out to climb. I climbed through the first bit easily, and came to the crux. There was a large, slopey hold followed by crimps and a rock-over to the top. I managed to clip of the sloper, and move round the arete to another hold. I got the penultimate hold, and put my foot up to rock-over, but my left hand suddenly slipped off the lower hold. I was frustrated as I fell off the last move and I felt that I could have topped the route. I was told that one other person fell off in the same place, and three people topped the route. Overall, I finished 5th as we were split by time. It was a disappointing result as I was aiming to top the route, but I am looking forward to the Youth Open in November where I will compete as a B.

Me on qualifier 1

Me on the final route

White Spider 'Send!' Boulder Comp (Issy)

I competed in the White Spider 2nd anniversary boulder comp- 'Send!'. The blocs were excellent! I flashed 17 out of 20 boulders but was unable to do three. I was very happy with my result, as I won the U16 Junior Female category. Thanks to Scarpa and Grivel for my great prizes and to the White Spider for an amazing experience.

2nd Trip to Malham Cove August 2014 (Issy)

Walking to Malham

On the 30th and the 31st of August my brother and I climbed at Malham cove. On the first day of climbing the weather was cold and it  was raining, but the huge rock walls sheltered us so we could still climb! I warmed up on Rose Coronary before beginning to work on my new project Seventh Ardvark, 7b. I worked all the moves, and at the end of a long day of climbing I knew the route inside out, however I decided to wait until the next day for my redpoint attempt. My skin needed to recover! The seccond day of climbing was much warmer. I warmed up on Yosemite Wall, then top-roped Seventh Ardvark one last time to make sure I knew all the moves and remembered all the footholds. I was finally ready for my first redpoint attempt. The beginning two clips of the route were hard, however there was a nice rest on a huge undercut about halfway up the climb. I clipped the third and fourth quickdraws and tried not to think about the huge runout at the top of the climb. The route was 12 metres high with only four quickdraws! The last move was a scary rock-over off a gaston, but I made it, completing the route. I was very happy as this was the highest grade I had ever climbed outdoors! After the Seventh Aardvark I progressed to my newest project, Space Race, 7b+. I worked the moves and began linking the climb. I look forward to returning to Malham to continue to work on Space Race!

Warming up on Yosemite Wall

Working the moves on Seventh Aardvark, 7b

Me on Seventh Aardvark

Me completing Seventh Aardvark!

Chilling in France

In our spare time we are wizards!

Thanks Mum for the Weasley sweaters!

Climbing in France (Finley)

I am on holiday in France enjoying running and cycling with my family. I have also done 3 sessions at Escalade Adventure. My first session I was pretty pleased with myself because I did some pretty good onsights. Most of the onsights were on the comp wall and I impressed the gnarly dudes. The second day I did 4x4s. After most of them I was pretty tired. In between 4x4s I attempted 2 7as. I found that the grades at Escalade Adventure were much harder than at other climbing walls, so I was happy with my efforts on the 7as. On the third day I onsighted a 6b+ and heard one of the gnarly French men say: 'chapeau', meaning 'respect/hats off'!



Overall I had a great time and wish to go back again some time in the future. 

Climbing in France (Issy)

During the Summer, as well as doing lots of running and cycling, me and Finley trained at the Escalade Adventure climbing wall in Caen, France. I did some great routes up the steeply inclined comp wall, and both me and my brother found that the grades were harder than in England- but it didn't stop us onsighting lots of climbs! We also had fun making up boulders and dangling from the roof of the boulder cave! Although we only went three times, I did some good training. It was a really fun experience and I hope to go back next holiday.

Summer Open Youth Boulder Event July 2014 (Issy)

I competed in the July Open Youth boulder event at the Arch climbing centre in London. It was my first bouldering competition.

I topped 7/8 boulders, flashing 6 and completing the 7th on my 3rd attempt. This meant that I qualified for the finals in 2nd position behind Emily Philips. In the final, I completed 1/3 boulders on my 1st attempt. The final boulders were a lot harder than the qualifiers and I found them very challenging.

I came 4th overall, however I am happy with my result as this was my first bouldering competition.

Youth Open Lead Event July 2014 (Issy)

Me on qualifier 2

I competed in the July Youth Open lead event 2014. In the event we were given two qualifiers- one of which I topped (along with 4 others) and the other I fell off low down due to a route-reading error. This meant that I qualified for the finals in 6th position. The other finalists were: Emily Philips, Kitty Morrison, Pippa Watkin, Holly Toothill and Abbie Rivett.

After isolation, I was 1st out for the final route. I topped the route, along with Emily, Kitty and Pippa. This meant that I came 4th due to countback.
The final results were: 1st- Emily, 2nd- Kitty and 3rd- Pippa.

Climbing at Malham Cove July 2014 (Issy)

Me climbing 'Rated PG', 7a+ at Malham

I went outdoor climbing at Malham Cove for the first time. It was only my seccond time climbing outdoors, and was a great experience! The slippery, polished footholds ensured that foot placement had to be precise at all times! I climbed at Malham for 2 days, and over that time I climbed 4 routes:

• 'Rose Coronary', 7a (1st RP)
• 'Consenting Adults', 7a (RP)
• 'Rated PG', 7a+ (RP)
• 'Begozi and the Ledge Lizards', 6a+ (Onsight)

Outdoor Climbing at Malham Cove (Finley)

I drove to Malham on a hot, sunny day, and arrived at Malham campsite. On the day that we arrived we walked down to Malham cove to check out what it looked like. I already knew that there was a route called 'Raindogs' graded 8a that I wanted to have a go on. On the first day of climbing it was rainy but still I went out and did:

• 'Rose Coronary'- 7a  lead (redpoint)
  
• 'Begozi and the Ledge Lizards'- 6b+ lead (onsight) 

I tried 'Consenting Adults'- 7a and decided that I would try it again tomorrow. The seccond sunny day I tried again 'Consenting Adults'. It took me a long time to do it and finally I managed it. I was very happy! I also tried 'Rated PG'- 7a+ and finally had a go on 'Raindogs', which is now my project. 

I had a very fun time! 

BMC YCS 2014 (Issy)

Me on route 3

This year I competed in the BMC YCS 2014. I won all three qualifying rounds, therefore qualifyng for the finals in 1st position.

During the finals, 4 of us (Pippa Watkin, Emily Philips, Kitty Morrison and I) topped everything, however Kitty and I topped the final boulder on our seccond attempt. This meant that we had to do a superfinal, with Pippa and Emily climbing for 1st and Kitty and I climbing for 3rd. Our superfinal route was boys A route 3! I climbed the highest on the superfinal route and therefore came 3rd.

The final result was: 1st- Emily, 2nd- Pippa, 3rd- Me.
I am very happy with my result! I would  like to thank Ian Dunn for his training plan and fantastic coaching throughout the year.



Me on the podium with Emily and Pippa



BMC YCS 2014 National Final (Finley)




This year I competed in the BMC YCS 2014. I made it through all of the qualifying rounds in 1st place. The finals for London & South East were held at the Castle climbing centre in London. I won the final and qualified for the national finals in Ratho, Scotland in 1st position for London and the South East.

At the national final I flashed two of the routes and fell off my third route at the very top. I also did all my boulders first attempt.


I placed 2nd overall, missing out on 1st place by one hold. It was very unlucky. Ethan Fowler was 1st and Oscar Philips was 3rd.

I enjoyed it because my Mum, Dad and sister were there supporting me.

Thank you Ian Dunn for coaching me throughout the year. 

Me on the podium - 2nd place in the national final

Me flashing boulder 3

Me on route 3




















About my climbing (finley adams)

I started climbing when I was 4 and have been carrying on with this sport ever since.
I am now 9 years of age and I am onsighting 7a-7a+ and am atempting 7b+. I follow the footsteps of a climber named Adam Ondra. He inspired me when I heard that he was onsighting 9a+ and attempting some of the hardest routes such as the dura dura meanning the hard hard.

I started my first competion when I was 7 years old in the 2013 BMC youth climbing series. I won all the qualifying rounds in the London and South East region and came 4th at Ratho! I hadn't really started training and didn't have a coach - only my mum and dad, so I was happy with that and it gave me confidence in my climbing ability.

I also really like climbing outdoors.  I read an article in a climbing magazine about raindogs and have wanted to do this 8a since then. The outdoor climbs that I did on my first trip to Malham:

Rose Coronary 7a (lead)
Consenting Adults 7a (lead)
Begozi and the Ledge Lizards 6a+ (lead)

I am now working on Rated PG 7a+ and have started my long term project Raindogs 8a.

Finley Adams on Raindogs 8a

About Me (Issy)

My name is Issy Adams and I am 13 years old. I started climbing when I was 6 years old, and have loved the sport ever since.

Issy on 'Rated PG' (7a+) Malham Cove, July 2014

My ambition is to achieve a place on the GB lead climbing team.

Best Outdoor (so far)

• Seventh Aardvark, 7b, Malham Cove, 2014
• Rated PG, 7a+, Malham Cove, 2014
• Concenting Adults, 7a, Malham Cove, 2014
• Rose Coronary, 7a, Malham Cove, 2014

Best Indoor

• 7b onsight
• 7b+ redpoint

I competed in the BMC YCS 2012 when I was 11- my first competition. I qualified 3rd in my region for the national finals, and subsequently came fifth in the nationals. I was very pleased with my result. In 2013 I competed in the BLCC as a C. I achieved 6th in this event, which I was also very happy with. I also competed in the Welsh Climbing Championships, in which I came 4th, and the Youth Open Lead event, in which I came 5th.