Hazel Findlay pulls the 9a sport climbing route Esclatamasters in the Spanish climbing area Perles. She is the second British woman after compatriot Emma Twyford to master this level of difficulty.
With Esclatamasters (9a) succeeds in Spanish Perles Hazel Findlay their most difficult route to date. The 32-year-old had been concentrating on this line all winter. In the end, as with most sports projects, it came down to two things, says Findlay: "The fitness and the management of the mind."
Video: Hazel Findlay in Esclatamasters (9a)
A positive mindset
Hazel Findlay is not only an excellent sport climber. She's also known for walking hard trad routes including, for example Muy Caliente (E9 6c) at Pembroke, Magic Line (5.14cR trad) in Yosemite or Adder crack (5.13a) in Squamish, Canada, to name a few.
"Besides the physical training, I really focused on having a positive attitude."
Hazel Findlay
And despite her experience of staying calm in mentally challenging situations, Esclatamasters also challenged her mentally. "Besides the physical training, I really focused on having a positive attitude," says the strong Briton.
"I knew that if the fear of failure was too overwhelming, I would hardly be able to do this part."
Hazel Findlay
In Ramon Julian Puigblanques Endurance hammer Esclatamasters a tricky passage awaits the climbers at the end. A spot where you'll quickly slip if you're not focused or if you're not a good climber. For Hazel Findlay the mental key point. "I knew I couldn't do that part if the fear of failure was too overwhelming," says Hazel Findlay.
Findlay's rating: Best sport route
On the day of the ascent, she managed to focus totally on staying connected to her experience. This allowed her to really enjoy the climbing. "But I'm also a little sad that it's over now," says the Briton. "Esclatamasters is the best sport route I've climbed so far and I feel like I could have climbed it for quite a while."
"Esclatamasters is the best sport route I've climbed so far."
Hazel Findlay
Hazel Findlay is proud that all the hard work on the plastic and all the mental training with her coach Maddy Cope paid off. In the end it was just climbing. "But if you put a lot in, you get a lot out of it."
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Credits: Cover photo Angus Kille