Steve McClure

Why do I climb? I’m not strong, I thrive on finding a way, a path through difficulties that don’t rely on strength. I live for the immersion that climbing can give, all thoughts cast aside with only pure movement remaining.

I was born in North East England, and with both parents keen climbers there was no escape. I was on the cliff before I could walk! It was all trad climbing, so best taking it slow! I’m into it all now, big walls, trad, sport, bouldering… Sport took main stage for a while. My route ‘Overshadow’ at 9a+ is still the hardest in the UK, and ‘mutation’ remains unrepeated, my 9a from 1998. But now I’m back into the full spectrum again, mixing it all together. It’s a privilege to have been shown the path into so much and to be on a journey that will have no end.