Possible 5.15a by Steve McClure
British stalwart Steve McClure has added what is possibly another 5.15a link-up to the imposing limestone crag of Malham Cove, near Yorkshire, England.
Unlock this article and more benefits with 50% 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
![McClure onsighting <em>Resistance</em> (5.14a) in Argentina. Photo by Will Hummel. ” src=”https://d1vs4ggwgd7mlq.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/Article-Images/News-Photos/McClure.jpg” />British stalwart Steve McClure has added what is possibly another 5.15a link-up to the imposing limestone crag of Malham Cove, near Yorkshire, England. McClure’s new line links the beginning of <em>Bat Route</em> (5.14b) into a previously unclimbed 5.14c section of stone, then finishes on the top of <em>Bat Route. </em>McClure named his new route <em>Batman </em>and suggests 9a/9a+ [5.14d/5.15a] for the grade. “It doesn’t matter what ‘9’ it is; 9a, 9a+ or 9b is just off the pace,” wrote McClure on 8a.nu. “However, it’s not a bad thing to put some kind of marker on a route. It’s up to the first ascensionist to at least have a stab; in a way it’s their duty.”</p>
<p>McClure bolted <em>Batman </em>in 2010, however, his initial goal was to link into the new section of 5.14c climbing via his 2003 route <em>Rainshadow</em> (5.14d). McClure considers this project—dubbed <em>The Easy Easy</em>—to be significantly harder. “Through <em>Rainshadow</em> was too far for me this season, but showed the difficulty, as when trying this way I was climbing through the <em>Rainshadow</em> crux 2 or 3 times a day,” said McClure. “Pleasing; as when I climbed <em>Rainshadow</em> I only ever made it through the crux twice. This shows real progress with my climbing, and that the new line is considerably harder, whichever start was used!”</p>
<p>Here is a great video by Alastair Lee of McClure climbing <em>Rainshadow</em> (5.14d).</p>
<p><iframe loading=](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)