Josh Ibbertson, 11, Sends Raindogs (5.13b)
Josh Ibbertson, an 11-year-old from Great Britian, climbed Raindogs (8a/5.13b) in Malham Cove, England earlier this month, becoming the youngest person to have climbed the route. Raindogs is Ibbertson’s fourth 5.13b, following Innuendo, Sàtiva Patàtica and El Guardià in Margalef, Spain, earlier this spring.
Unlock this article and more benefits with 40% off.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
40% Off Outside+.
$4.99/month $2.99/month*
Get the one subscription to fuel all your adventures.
- Map your next adventure with our premium GPS apps: Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro.
- Read unlimited digital content from 15+ brands, including Outside Magazine, Triathlete, Ski, Trail Runner, and VeloNews.
- Watch 600+ hours of endurance challenges, cycling and skiing action, and travel documentaries.
- Learn from the pros with expert-led online courses.
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
Josh Ibbertson, an 11-year-old from Great Britian, climbed Raindogs (8a/5.13b) in Malham Cove, England earlier this month, becoming the youngest person to have climbed the route. Raindogs is Ibbertson’s fourth 5.13b, following Innuendo, Sàtiva Patàtica and El Guardià in Margalef, Spain, earlier this spring.
“I wanted to try an 8a in Britain,” Ibbertson said in an interview with UK Climbing. “I also wanted to try it because it is a really famous Malham route. It’s also short and steep, which is just my style.”
Raindogs, a 12-meter, powerful limestone route, has been considered a benchmark for the grade at Malham Cover since it was established by Dave Keyon in 1986. Before Ibbertson, Aiden Dunne held the record for the route’s youngest ascent after climbing it in 2012 at the age of 12.
According to UK Climbing, Ibbertson began projecting the route in May, but took a week off to compete in the Youth Color Climbing Festival in Austria on June 6 and 7, where he placed seventh in his age group. After returning home, he redpointed Raindogs in an afterschool climbing session with his father, British climber James Ibbertson.
Josh Ibbertson told UK Climbing that he plans to project The Bulge (8a/5.13b) and The Ashes (7c+/5.13a) at Kilnsey, another classic English limestone crag, but he also wants to branch out from sport climbing and project some traditional routes.
Josh Ibbertson on El Guardià (8a/5.13b):