James Turnbull 29 Sheffield

James Flashing Nosferatu from Nathan Lee on Vimeo.

I am not the best climber in the world but I’m defiantly keen. Every spare second is spent climbing.
Nearly all of that time is spent trad climbing too. I enjoy and bit of sport and bouldering but it
doesn’t feel like “real” climbing, trad and winter is where it’s at for me. I also really like going for it,
probably half the time trying things above my grade (as long as its steep with gear!) which means I
fall off a lot!

I think this is why Si (beta climbing designs) asked if I would like to test a couple of Sterling ropes in
payment for some feedback. “Who is the heaviest person I know who falls off a lot? Ah James can
try them!” I’m sure working in a gear shop helps too, working with ropes all the time.

Testing the prototype models of these ropes is great as you get to give honest feedback and they
really listen. Living in Sheffield means a lot of the climbing is spent on the grit which is well known
for shedding hands, feet, ropes and egos! But the Sterling half ropes I’ve been trying (Duetto 8.4mm)
have been amazing and stood up so well and I have full confidence in them.

In a very different environment the other rope I have been testing was the Photon 7.8mm which has
been the best winter rope I’ve ever had. Light, bright, easy to handle and just doesn’t seem to soak
up any moisture, awesome. Used on a soggy Cobbler to a crisp and perfect Hadrian’s wall (on the
ben that is!) this winter.

I constantly try and get away on all my days off and more often than not that ends up being in Wales
where Gogarth has seemed to suit my style of climbing, or lack of it and most of the harder routes
I have done have been there. Then I also love alpine climbing and I am shortly off to Bergalia and I
think the best rock route I have ever done is “O Sole Mio” on the Grand Capucin in Cham (Then the
Nose was pretty cool too!).

So keep on climbing and thanks to Si Berry for letting me be your crash test dummy.

James Turnbull