High Sports

High Sports Climbing Team

High Sports Climbing Team

Stuart Cathcart

High Sports was established and is still enthusiastically led by Stuart Cathcart. Stuart is known for an extensive list of new climbs in the UK: over 300 new routes on Clwyd Limestone and North Wales, a solo ascent of The Cad E7, first ascent of Crash Landing (Uk’s hardest climb of its time), placing the dreaded bolt on New Era in the Llanberis Pass and the first true winter solo traverse of the Cuillin Ridge. Also numerous repeats and first ascents of major routes worldwide: Matterhorn N.Face, Walker Spur, Droites, Eiger, Dru, Boulder Highway, Motorhead, West face Bulnes, Norway’s Troll Wall, USA (East face and Keeler Pinnacle Mt. Whitney, Devils Tower, Wind Rivers, Nose El Cap, Reg Route Half Dome, S.Face Charlotte Dome, Diamond wall Colorado….) Baffin Islands Mt.Asgard West face, Mt.Turnweather, also forays into Asia, Canada and South Africa.

Alastair Cathcart

First chip off the old block. Alastair is the chief climbing instructor and friendly face at the Shrewsbury Sundorne Sports Village climbing wall, taking a special interest in the coaching of the junior indoor climbing squad. A qualified route setter Ally is regularly seen new routing and fine tuning at the wall, keeping the customers happy and keen! An exceptional boulderer/climber, skier and downhill mountain biker. An indispensable driving force behind the new Shropshire Bouldering Guide and local scene he’s regularly out ’scratting for new lines’, check out The Prow at Grinshill for just one example of his contribution to local hardcore bouldering.

Simon Cathcart

Second chip off the old block. A power house of endurance, Simon definately has the Cathcart ‘Hardcore’ gene! A list of bouldering first ascents including many desperate lines at Nesscliffe and Grinshill such as Subtilitas (V8). Still under 18, Simon has already completed several major Alpine Big Wall routes including the Grau Wand, Kundalini, Boulder Highway, Bulnes West Face, N.face Aig Argentiere….and pushes E4 6a/b on limestone. A big supporter of the High Sport’s Own Steam Transportation concept and fund raiser for the YM fund. Simon cycled 21 of the Western Isles of Scotland during June 2006. 21 islands, 21 days, 1200 miles. Like his big brother a steep, deep and off piste powder expert on skis. An impressive CV for one so young!

Ed Booth

The legend of Booth. Ed is generally well known for his ability to show up in any photo pulling his default expression, which can be seen above. He’s probably done a thousand difficult climbs pulling himself up vertical walls with his teeth, which I will list here when he tells me what they are. Awesome.

Paul Martin

Paul is a climber / boulderer with a passion for long distance adventure cycling, yoga, paragliding, and photography (check out his photography website here, it’s sweet!). Many first ascents in bouldering including the addition of Rigpa (V9) to the plethera of awsome lines at Nesscliffe’s Little Northumberland. His other hobbies include biff spotting and gurning.

Sean Grady

Sean is the quiet, yet genuinely ‘committed to the core’ member. Excellent boulderer and all round climbing enthusiast, who still loves his skateboard. Responsible for several new boulder problems at Grinshill and some underdeveloped lines in Pontesbury, Sean is fast becoming a local legend with an exceptional passion for the rock. His favourite place so far is Fontainebleau, but he is organising himself to attack Bishop one of these days.

Israel Diaz

known as the ambassador of the Cuban Granite Era, he started a personal quest in 2007 for discovering new bouldering areas in this tropical island along with a small group of adventurous Cuban climbers. He has recently built a website to promote this still on progress research, it’s all here. Israel has also explored for new bouldering potential in Mallorca and had ticked some first ascents there, but he doesn’t want to talk about it yet. A big fanatic of Fontainebleau sandstone too.

Angus Kille

Angus is the latest addition to our Climbing Team. An up and coming climber in the local area, he’s recently got to the finals of the BMC Youth Climbing Competition up in Edinburgh and placed in the top ten of the country for his age group. He’s the new Ed Booth, but without the ridiculous photo posing!

Mike Hawksby

Responsible for several knarly additions to the Shropshire Bouldering Guide such as Hawksby’s Wall (V7), Nesscliffe. Mike is a very laid back and comical guy, yet a well respected and thorough instructor at the indoor climbing wall. Catch a sample of his excellent wit on the new High Sports Hit Font bouldering DVD.

Neil Grady

Local fire fighter and climbing instructor at Shrewsbury’s new indoor wall, Neil is a valuable addition to the High Sports team and a conscientious and motivating instructor. The steady head old boy on the team!

Patricia Novelli

Pat is an Italian full-time mum and has been climbing for many years with her husband Jonathan Cain. Her favourite crag in the world is Nesscliffe because of its stunning lines, beautiful forest and historical setting. She is a keen supporter of High Sports and will be frequently seen chatting to Chris in the shop about a local walk or peak. Her other passion is photography and wherever she goes she always carries a camera.