Join us and our friends from Montane at the Cafe Caban in Brynrefail for an inspirational talk from trad climber and Paralympian Jesse Dufton.
Jesse is a climber, best known for his trad climbing. Despite being born severely sight impaired, his parents saw no reason to let this get in his way and climbing became a large part of his childhood. As soon as he could walk his dad took him climbing and taught him how to lead trad in Cornwall, this in-between many family trips to Fontainbleau, instilled a life-long passion for the sport. As he lost the little sight he was born with, he never considered giving up his passion and instead set about adapting how to climb without the use of his eyes.
Since then, Jesse has continued to push his limits and gained recognition when he became the first blind person to lead climb the Old Man of Hoy, which was recognised as an official Guinness World record and is the focus of the multi-award-winning documentary Climbing Blind. However, this is but one of the many hard trad routes he has to his name leading these "non-sight". As well as his trad pedigree, he also has first ascents in Arctic Greenland completed in alpine style in winter conditions. He is also a competition climber, representing the GB Paraclimbing team and winning medals in multiple international competitions.
Notable trad on-sight leads:
- International E3 5c, Kilt Rock, Isle of Skye, Scotland (Lead, on-sight)
- Illusion Dweller 5.10b, Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree (Lead, on-sight)
- Forked Lightning Crack E2 5c, Heptonstall, Yorkshire (Lead, on-sight)
- Auricle E2 5c, Bamford, Peak District (Lead, on-sight)
- Elder Crack E2 5b, Curbar, Peak District (Lead, on-sight)
- The Old Man of Hoy E1 5b (6 pitches), Orkney Islands, Scotland (Lead, on-sight)
- Left Unconquerable E1 5b, Stanage, Peak District (Lead, on-sight)
- Flying Buttress Direct E1 5b, Stanage, Peak District (Lead, on-sight)
- Sloth HVS 5a, The Roaches, Peak District (Lead, on-sight)
Tickets for this special evening are limited to just 30 places and are sure to sell out fast so don't hang around.
Key Details:
- Date: Friday 22nd September
- Location: Cafe Caban, Brynrefail, Llanberis, LL55 3NR
- Start Time: 7:30pm
- Tickets: £7.50 all proceeds going to Llanberis Mountain Rescue.
Please note tickets will not be posted but will be available for collection at the door, please bring your ID or booking email with you.