Chris Sharma warmed up a packed crowd at a chilly Climbing Works on Sunday 16 March 2007 with tales of his red-hot climbing.

In his easygoing and understated manner, the California-born climber presented a slide show with film clips from King Lines and recounted how he’s developed to reach the top of his game.

One of the first generation of climbers to start off indoors, Sharma talked about his natural progression to sport routes outside, then to bouldering, DWS and now onto long sport climbs, which incorporate bouldering – such as the projects he’s currently working on in Andalucia and at Clark Mountain, Nevada.

When asked by one of the youngest members of the audience where his favourite place to climb is, he said he loves climbing in Mallorca because of the Spanish culture, the ocean and the pure nature of DWS. His philosophical outlook was evident – both in terms of his playful approach to climbing, pushing himself to the limit, and also his wonder of finding natural climbing lines that are only just achievable.

Sharma acknowledged the British climbers who had put up routes he’d been able to work on and laughed that even though he didn’t seem to be ‘sending’ all the routes he’s currently bolting, he’d like to leave some ready-made projects for aspiring climbers. Unfortunately he didn’t get a chance to climb in the Peak during his visit but said he’d like to return and try out some of Steve’s McClure’s routes.

The talk in Sheffield was part of a UK tour organised by Heason Events, sponsored by Evolv, Petzl and Prana. 

« Back