Now That's What I Call a First Ascent - EP5 - The Groove, E10, James Pearson
Hot Aches Productions drops in on James Pearson’s “The Groove,” an eye-catching gritstone testpiece that blends balletic movement with hard trad reality. In this episode of Now That’s What I Call a First Ascent, we revisit Pearson’s 2008 first ascent and the lingering mystique around a line that, years later, still feels unfinished in the wider climbing story. What makes this one essential is the combination of pure aesthetics and high-pressure decision-making: technical sequences, subtle body positions, and the kind of commitment that grit demands when the crux arrives above marginal protection. It’s a short hit of UK trad intensity—equal parts history lesson and inspiration—that will leave you scanning the rock for hidden holds and wondering who’ll be bold enough to settle the score.
Hot Aches Productions · 6:08
Get some Hot Aches merch now! Designs based on all of our films/videos, bring the psych wherever you go - https://shop.spreadshirt.co.uk/hot-aches-productions/ Get all of our feature length movies & all weekly videos early over on our Patreon for only $4 a month! https://www.patreon.com/HotAches Join us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/HotAches Presented by Wild Country - http://www.wildcountry.com/ Get the full story - https://www.reelhouse.org/hotaches/committed-volume-ii ALL OUR FILMS - http://www.hotaches.com/climbing-films/ One of the best looking and most technical routes on Grit. Climbed by James Pearson in 2008 and still awaiting its 2nd ascent. Kevin Jorgeson repeated the first half of the route shortly after the first ascent, but he escaped right into Fern Hill (E2) missing the top crux. I think he was quoted at the time as saying he interpreted the line in a different way... which is another way of saying he didn't do it! Not that it stopped him/ Big Up Productions claiming the 2nd ascent and commenting on the grade. As far as I can see this route is still awaiting its second ascent. Any takers? SUBSCRIBED TO OUR CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/c/HotAches JOIN US ON FACEBOOK https://facebook.com/hotaches CATCH US ON TWITTER https://twitter.com/hotaches SEE US ON INSTOBANGER! https://www.instagram.com/hotaches/ Thanks for watching, Climb On! LOVE FROM Paul Diffley Studio 5 Beaverhall Art Studios Edinburgh EH7 4JE Scotland