Steve McClure repeats Bat Route

by David Simmonite

Steve McClure has sent news that he has made a repeat of Bat Route at Malham in Yorkshire.

This Mark Leach route from 1989, was graded F8b+ and even though it has had repeats, it is known that it has shed holds.  Whilst Steve admits it isn't ground breaking news, it is a noteable repeat especailly as he thinks it could now be even F8c+.

Given his comments below and the fact it is very rare that he spends 3 days on a route of this grade. 

"I made an ascent of that route the other day, an amzing route with a long history.  Originally F8b+ but thought soft even though Tony Mitchell definitely thought F8b+.  Malcolm Smith did it but not sure what he thought.  Nick Sellers went on it and put in a big stint finding it hard and possibly F8c, then pulled off a crucial hold and gave up.  It took me 3 days and I reckon its 8c or 8c+, not sure yet but will let you know after my trip to Spain.

Whatever, it's an amzing route, ignored by everyone because it's so long and involved like a mounaineering sport route!  And I would think it's lost a whole load of holds over the years. "

Update: I returned to Malham with Steve this week to photograph the route and here two photographs of him on the top crimpy headwall having climbed through the bulge below him:

Photographs: © David Simmonite

Steve has written more about the ascent for his column in the next edition of Climb magazine so keep a look out for it.

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