Free
Spend an evening with a climbing legend and BMC ambassador
Join us at The Clarke Foley Community Centre in Ilkley on October 22nd 7pm for an evening with Steve McClure as he narrates his life, climbing career and the first ascents of Britain's hardest climbs. Part of our month-long 'Ilkley Adventure Festival' event series.
Brought up on the North York Moors, and with both parents keen climbers there was no escape from the sport. Climbing from the moment he could walk, his first extreme was at 11, his first E3 at 13 and first E5 at 16.
With a traditional background, and onsight ascents up to E8 and E11 headpoint. He has since broadened his interest and excelled in sport climbing, with the hardest sport route in the UK at 9b (Rainman at Malham Cove), numerous new routes at the grade of 9a and many onsights at 8b+. You might also find him picking his way up an ice field in the Alps or sleeping in a portaledge on a 1,000m wall in Greenland. Despite this he says he is still weak, but has mastered the art of the cunning…
“Rock climbing: the best sport in the world. It’s easy to take it all for granted and the continual work of the BMC in negotiating and securing access is essential. The cliffs and beautiful spaces that we enjoy so much are not ours. It’s not our right to be there, it’s a privilege.”
Steve has been delivering lectures on his rock climbing adventures and performances for many years. He has spoken to a wide range of audiences from local climbing clubs to corporate events. To date Steve has delivered well over 100 individual talks, and at specific national and international events including Kendal Mountain Film Festival (UK), Mellobloc (Italy), Marmot Climb festival (Germany), Petzl Roctrip (Turkey), The Travel and Outdoor Show (UK), The International Adventure Conference (UK) and The National Youth Climb meet (Denmark).
Steve is well known for his modest, approachable attitude, and has the rare talent of being able to make the experience he has obtained relevant in motivating others, particularly the drive, determination and elation of pushing to the maximum on the UK’s hardest rock climbs.
**All proceeds of this evening will go towards Alpkit Foundation & BMC Mend Our Mountains Project.**
Tickets are available through eventbrite below