James Pearson Repeats Gritstone Frightener ‘Harder Faster,’ Facing Ground Fall From Top
Alex Honnold has called it ‘too scary to climb.’ And it may be the most objectively dangerous, least-repeated route in the U.K.
In 2000, Charlie Woodburn established “Harder Faster” E9 7a, a notorious gritstone fright-fest. Technically, “Harder Faster” is a variation of the Black Rock formation’s 1986 testpiece, “Gaia” E8.
The difference between “Gaia” and “Harder Faster” is that the former breaks out right near the end whereas “Harder Faster” stays direct. The final sequence uses delicate movement on thin and slopey holds to a final, finicky mantle. One slip would result in an uncontrollable ground fall.
Three years after Woodburn’s first ascent, Aussie teen Toby Benham (later known as Lucky Chance) made the first repeat. It was Christmas Day of 2003. James Pearson, Benham’s dear friend and climbing partner, was on belay.
It would be almost 20 years before “Harder Faster” would meet its third ascensionist. (Fun fact: “Harder Faster” is the one notable tick missing from Alex Honnold and Kevin Jorgensen’s 2008 U.K. trip — they felt the risk factor was too severe.)
On Dec. 24, 2020, Pearson made a run for it and claimed the route’s third-ever ascent. It was a day shy of 17 years since the late Lucky Chance’s prodigy-like top-out.
Watch James Pearson, belayed by wife and fellow crusher Caro Ciavaldini, tick “Harder Faster” E9 7a.
Runtime: 7.25 minutes
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