Adam Hocking Lakeland Action....new E8 and repeat of E8...
24th Jun 2011
Adam Hocking is a strong boy, that's for sure. Coming into his own at the same time as another Lakeland master, James MacHaffie, (but a stronger boulderer than James) 'Hock' has been quietly sending hard stuff in the Lakes and Wales for the best part
of 15 years.
Here's a report about some of his latest sends by Dom Bush (Land And Sky media) who be producing some great video of the event soon...(which you'll be able to see here)...
‘The Ego has Landed’ and ‘The Keswickian’
I often feel that, although we have great climbing, the Lakes is sometimes overlooked by the climbing community. Unlike Llanberis or Sheffield for instance, The Lakes climbing scene sometimes appears to lack a hub, so it is great to see small pockets of climbers taking the time to find and pick off the last great lines here. Adam Hocking has come back from Spain feeling strong and keen for hard Trad lines, and is quickly compiling an impressive list of first ascents and hard repeats all over the Lakes. I have been lucky enough to witness two of these ascents and be on hand to shoot video and stills.
‘The Ego has Landed’ was first climbed in 2000 by James MacHaffie, and although it has been surveyed by some of the most talented climbers in the area, it has remained unrepeated for 11 years. Having witnessed the first ascent, Adam has had his eye on the route since Caff’s ascent and made light work of it on the day. Hard unprotected E8 6b (considered E9 by some), the route trends right up a sheer wall at the far left hand end of Eagle Crag in Langstrath. Video footage will be out soon, watch this space!
Adam top roping the indecently bouldery arete of The Keswickian....Ph Dom Bush....
Gouther Crag in Swindale is a little known gem of Lakeland climbing and has some fantastic lines of all grades. At it’s far left hand end is a prominent roof and slab offering a couple of E4′s which breach the overhang at the right hand side. Adam has had his eye on a line here for years, which follows an obvious corner through the roof and up the unprotected slabs above. Last week this became ‘The Keswickian’, at E8 7a it is a serious route with a steep bouldery crux section, possible only for the strong and brave! This was the most exciting, nail-biting sequence I have ever filmed and an amazing line. Nice one Adam! Photos below, video to come.
See loads more photo's at Dom's Blog here
