Hunger 9a: a fourteen year journey

Dave MacLeod takes you inside a project that refused to go quietly in Hunger 9a: a fourteen year journey. First attempted in 2007 and set aside when it felt out of reach, “Hunger” becomes a long-running question mark—one that follows him through years of learning, setbacks, and evolution as a climber, until he returns to the Scottish rock with the experience and hunger to finally see it through. In under ten minutes, this film captures the rare mix of obsession and patience that defines top-end sport climbing: the mental weight of unfinished business, the precision of rehearsal, and the unglamorous work of preparation. It’s worth watching for the honest look at what “getting stronger” really means over time—structured training, deliberate planning, and the grit to keep showing up when the route doesn’t care how much you want it.

Dave MacLeod · 9:59

In 2007 I gave up on the idea of climbing Hunger, 9a. Over ten years later, I returned as a better climber and finished the job. But not without a carefully planned and executed preparation. My book on training for climbing: https://www.davemacleod.com/shop/9outof10climbers