This week’s video comes from the coastal climbing hotspot of Pembroke where Britain’s leading lady, Hazel Findlay, takes on Muy Caliente! – a route originally climbed by Tim Emmett at E10 6c with the consensus having settled at a scary E9 6c. Climbing the route in June 2021, Hazel has continued this incredible form by becoming the second British woman to climb 9a with her ascent of Esclatamasters in Spain earlier this year (footage here). Both ascents place Hazel firmly at the pinnacle of Britain’s climbing scene, cementing her position as the Britain’s leading lady.
But, back to this week’s video where we see Hazel battling the typically British conditions. Despite the recent dry conditions, the pockets on Hazel’s project remained wet so, in an effort to make the lead possible she uses tin foil to line the pockets and ‘dry them out’. This is a tactic that originated in the pocket heavy Frankenjura but hasn’t been regularly used in the UK. Regardless of the foil and the conditions, Hazel gives it a go on lead without being entirely confident on the route and it’s incredible to see the way she turns it on and enters the zone – there’s a reason she’s the best we’ve seen. Enjoy!