A Big New Talent

Rich Simpson is a relative newcomer to climbing but is quickly carving his name in big letters the UK scene with a remarkable number of very fast ascents of some of the hardest routes in the world, let alone the UK.

Climbing for only three years Rich’s ticklist rivals guys who have been climbing a lot longer and at the moment his achievements have put his as third in te world ont the points tallying website 8Anu.com. Rich seems to embody the philosophy speak quietly and carry a big stick – his muscles have certainly done the talking.

Rich Simpson on Action Directe - the first British ascent of this 16 year old 9A route...

Not only prolific on limestone sports routes he has had some very exiting forays onto the grit and there is certainly a ‘watch this space’ warning out for this winter….

Bouldering has taken a back seat for Rich slightly, as his dedicated training for routes has meant concentrating his energies, however, he’s still managed to get in his fair share. This includes the second ascent of a mega problem at the renowned ‘Schooroom’ training venue in Sheffield, called 'Pinky Perky' it's an 8B problem that’s eluded all of Sheffields strongmen for 10 years.

Rich also wears Red Chili shoes and uses Infinity Ropes.

More About Rich By Rich

Bit about me
I am 22 years old, live in Birmingham and currently a full time climber, as well as climbing I really enjoy running, music and travelling. I have been climbing for just about 5 years now, and try to spend as much time as possible climbing overseas.

Bit about my climbing
I have been climbing for just about 5 years now and have always preferred sport routes, I prefer to climb abroad than in Britain where the sun is always shining and the routes so much better, I try to tick as many classics as possible in as many new areas. At the moment I have concentrated on power/ power endurance routes but soon would like to try more endurance based climbing.

Stuff I have done -
Since starting climbing 4 years ago I have climbed many routes and boulders, my highlights been, Hubble 8c+ Liquid Amber 8c/8c+, Azincourt 8c, Evolution 8c, le Minimum 8c, Maginot Line 8c, Powerplay 8c, Chouca 8A+ Flash, Malcs Start font 8B, 8Ball Font 8B, Superman Font 8B, Pool of Bethesda Font 8a+ amongst other stuff. I also repeated the hardest problem in the infamous school room which as been unrepeated for 10 years, despite been tried by Britain strongest climbers which would be Font 8b+ outside.
This summer i repeated Hubble 8c+, which was a big tick for me. And i also sent a big bunch of routes in the Frankenjura, but the highlight was to make the 6th ascent and first British ascent of Action Direct 9A - Wolfgang Gullichs amazing and classic route.

Go to Action Direct Gallery

Stuff I have planned -
Without a rope I would also like to repeat Dreamtime and the Never ending story in magic wood. After these I would like to concentrate more on endurance climbing and try to repeat both la Rambla and Realization as well as a lot of On Siting. I have also have some grit plans but they'll stay closer to my chest...

Some of the Ticklist Highlights

Redpoints

Infinty 8c+, Showdown 8c’ Intercooler 8c 2nd ascent, Wallstreet 8c, Armstrong 8c, Raubritter 8c, Ronin 8c, Drive by shooting 8b+, Rockerbilly 8b+, Fairy Ultra 8b+, Oshoween 8b+, Hubble 8c Raven Tor, The Bastard 8c+ Rubicon, Ursus 8c Monstant (Spain), Liquid Amber 8c/8c+ LPT, Le Minimum 8c Buoux, Maginot Line 8cVolx, Agincourt 8c Buoux, Chiqquette Du Graal, 8c Buoux, Powerplay 8c Frankenjura, Le Mur Du 6 Clopes 8b+, St leger (France), Stone Love 8b+ Frankenjura, DeadLine 8b+ Frankenjura, Mr Cheki 8b+Siurana , Traversia del Capita 8b+ Siurana

Flash/On Site

Subway 8b Onsite, Plan B 8b Flash, Sacktreffer 8a+ Onsite, Die Dicher Kinder 8a+ Flash, Sodom 8a+ Onsite, Leftfield 8a Onsite, Little Big Horn 8a Onsite, Body Counts 7c+/8a Onsite, Hospanung 8a Onsite. Chouca 8a+, Buoux (Flash), Salar 8a Rubicon (Onsite), Sissy 8a Rubicon (Onsite) Lu Ouate 8a Buoux (On-site), Spinoza Direct 8a Volx (Onsite), Statement of Youth 8a LPT (Onsite) Out Of Berlin 8a, Frankenjura (Onsite).

Rich on Action Direct

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