British climber Jim Pope has made one of the rare ascents of Pete Whittaker's trad testpiece Dynamics of Change (E9 7a). The difficult-to-protect route near Sheffield is also known for a particularly crazy heel hook.
Jim Pope was the second climber to climb the trad route Dynamics of Change (E9 7a) in Burbage South, England. The last ascent of the famous route, which was freed in 2008 by pioneering work by Pete Whittaker using traditional safety methods, was more than ten years ago.
Little Jim never dreamed that one day he would climb this route!
Jim Pope
High risk of falling: Jim Pope shows nerves of steel
As one of the best British all-rounders on rock, Jim Pope He has already repeated numerous difficult lines in both bouldering and sport climbing. His great passion also lies in traditional climbing.
The 26-year-old from London now lives in Peak District and has now climbed eight routes in grade E9, the fourth hardest in trad climbingE9 is “translated” as 7a, but has little to do with a sport climbing 7a.
Dynamics of Change required Jim Pope, like his predecessors, to have strength endurance, precise technique and strong nerves. The route starts in a slight overhang that leads over a difficult mantle into a risky slab.
There are safety options, but they become less frequent towards the top - especially on the slab, there is a risk of a fall. Jim Pope had therefore climbed the route in the top route beforehand.
Pete Whittaker's walk on Dynamics of Change
Visionary ascent by Pete Whittaker 17 years ago
Jim Pope's ascent of Dynamics of Change is also so special because the route has only been climbed traditionally by two other people: the first ascent Pete Whittaker in 2008 and by Neil Kershaw six years later.
I'm really happy to have been able to get the third ascent of Pete Whittaker's iconic route. What a vision from Pete, especially at 16!
Jim Pope
With his ascent, Jim Pope also pays tribute to Pete's achievements back then, which were enormously ahead of their time - even in the kingdom of trad pioneers.
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+++ Credits: Cover image: Hot Aches Production | YouTube