My Passion: Love at first climb as the challenges just never end

I’ve always loved the great outdoors – nearly all of my childhood memories are of me playing outside for hours at a time, so when my mum signed me up for a climbing course at a sports centre in Huddersfield when I was 11, it was love at first climb. My mum was delighted at how I got into it straight away, especially as both of my sisters are petrified of heights.
James Everitt: The beauty of climbing is that theres always opportunity to push yourself.James Everitt: The beauty of climbing is that theres always opportunity to push yourself.
James Everitt: The beauty of climbing is that theres always opportunity to push yourself.

It’s been a huge passion of mine ever since and I always try to fit it in to my busy schedule.

When trying a new route, there’s always a very real possibility you might fall but, whether it be through trial and error or sheer bloody-mindedness, you always work out the correct way to overcome the problem and get to the top of the climb.

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It’s exhilarating, and the sense of achievement when you haul yourself over that top ledge is like nothing else.

The beauty of climbing is that there’s always opportunity to push yourself so the challenge is never really complete.

There’s a progressive grading system that means I’m constantly attempting to solve harder problems, or look for ways to solve existing problems that I haven’t yet managed to achieve.

I’ve never been a gym person so the added benefit of climbing is that it’s a great way for me to keep fit, without even really feeling like I’m working out.

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I’ve done most of my climbing here in the UK and we’re lucky as there are some lovely climbing spots right on the doorstep here in Yorkshire which means I can fit in climbing around my busy schedule.

I particularly enjoy visiting the Sheffield Peak District, or Malham cove in North Yorkshire.

Further afield, there are some truly incredible cliffs and crags to explore in Mallorca that tower over the glistening blue sea, which only makes the climb even more exhilarating.

The beauty of rock climbing though is that there are always new areas for you to explore. I don’t think there will ever come a time when there isn’t somewhere new I would like to visit.

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I think of it as more than a hobby – it’s also a chance to unwind, a few hours out in the fresh air concentrating on nothing but making your way step by step to the top of the climb is the perfect way to clear your mind, focus, and relax.