Cumbrian climber and adventurer Anna Taylor has become the first person to complete a self-powered round of every route that features in a renowned book of UK rock climbs.
Carrying all of her kit with her, Anna, 23 and from Windermere, cycled 2,400 kilometres and climbed over 10,000 metres during a self-powered journey that lasted 62 days and saw her climb the 83 routes that are listed in the iconic ‘Classic Rock’ guidebook.
She had to contend with everything that the UK weather could throw at her as she journeyed from South West England to Wales, the Peak District and Lake District, and then up to the Scottish Highlands, before finishing on the infamous Cuillin ridge on the Isle of Skye.
Anna’s trip was sponsored by Berghaus, which supplied her with the latest performance outdoor kit and arranged for photographers to document the round.
Published in 1978, Classic Rock is one of the most well regarded climbing books of all time. Written by leading outdoor journalist Ken Wilson, it features 83 of the best rock climbs (up to the grade of ‘very severe’ or VS) that the UK has to offer.
Just as walkers and runners set out to ‘bag’ the Munro mountains in Scotland or the Wainwright fells in the Lake District, some climbers make a long term project out of ticking off all of the Classic Rock routes, travelling all over the country to do it.
Anna discovered that a self-powered round of the routes had never been done before and set out on her expedition on July 31, starting in Cornwall. She cycled between each area and carried all of her own kit and the only other form of transport she used was ferries to get to the routes based on islands.
Not only did Anna successfully climb all 83 routes, but she also completed the vast majority solo, adding complexity, time and danger to the trip.
