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Jude is one of the UK’s top female climbers. Her impressive portfolio of ascents across Britain and around the world speaks of a huge dedication to the sport and an insatiable thirst for adventure. Although she is a highly accomplished sport climber and boulderer, traditional climbing - and particularly onsight climbing - is central to Jude’s vertical world. New climbing adventures are always on her radar. When talking to her, an infectious enthusiasm for all aspects of the sport spreads into the conversation, inspiring others around her. Jude currently divides her time between Chamonix, France and North Wales (UK), two of the finest adventure climbing regions in Europe.
Jude has this to say about her passion for climbing:
“I had my first introduction to climbing in 1994, at Swanage in England during a school exchange year to the UK. Since then, the desire to climb has dominated my life. Climbing for me is more than just a sport. It is a desire to combine physical and mental challenges with nature, beautiful surroundings and people from all over the world. I have never focused on just one form of climbing, but enjoy the variety climbing has to offer. To me, variety has always been more important than getting good at just one thing.
If I had to name my favorite type of climbing, and only had one choice (!), I would probably have to give sea cliffs a special mention. The combination of rock, the sea, and sunshine usually keeps my motivation high. But then again, bouldering under a big blue desert sky on golden granite with a bunch of wonderful people is hard to beat as well...
What I do need to climb well, however, is inspiration. A line, a climb, a boulder problem has to inspire me. The easiest climb can seem desperate if I don't like the look of it, a harder graded one can feel just fine if the desire to do it is in me.”
Climbing Highlights – UK
Lord of the Flies (E6 6a) Llanberis Pass, Wales (onsight) The Vanishing (E5 6a) Dorset (onsight deep water solo) King Wad (E6 6b) Llanberis Pass, Wales (onsight) The Cad (E6 6a) Gogarth, Wales (onsight) The Cruise (E5 6a) Gogarth, Wales (onsight) Swordfish Trombones (E5 6b) Dorset (onsight deep water solo) Heading The Shot (E5 6b), Dinorwig Slate, Wales (onsight) Barbarella (E5 6a) Pembroke, Wales (onsight) Run Fast, Run Free (E5 6a) Gogarth, Wales (onsight) Right Wall (E5 6a) Llanberis Pass, Wales (onsight) Head Hunter (E5 6a) Pembroke, Wales (onsight) Killerkranky (E5 6a) Llanberis Pass (onsight) Flashdance (E5 5c), Llanberis Slate, Wales Climbing and new routing on the isle of Pabbay Statement of Youth (8a) Lower Pen Trywn, Wales (redpoint) Climbing Highlights – Overseas Serpentine (probably one of the most scenic and beautiful sport routes I have encountered), The Grampians, Australia The Pink Power Tower, a 7 pitch immaculate crack climb on 'The Barron', Southern Greenland Experiencing Berber hospitality while looking for new routes in the mountains around Tafraoute, Anti Atlas Range, Morocco A little island paradise in Thailand – Laoliang Climbing at Ceuse, France, for its panoramic views across the western Alps and down to the Cote d’Azure, pumpy routes, and the beautiful walk up to the crag. Bishop, California, for its beautiful skies and perfect granite Fontainbleau - because it’s magic when it stops raining! Chamonix for its skyline, not to mention the quality of climbing Squamish Chief, British Columbia, Canada – for some of the finest crack climbs in the world, and stunning bouldering. Future Projects and AmbitionsClimbing is a way of exploring and learning. Exploring the extent of my own horizons, and exploring for new inspiration. I am fascinated by the variety of experience climbing has to offer, and the list of places I would like to visit is endless. Climbing for me is a way of life, a way of seeing the world, and a way of meeting interesting like minded people.
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