72-year-old British rock climber Rob Matheson climbing Tombola (E7 6c) at Nesscliffe in England
Craig Matheson
Rob Matheson climbs E7 aged 72
At Nesscliffe quarry in England, British rock climber Rob Matheson has climbed Tombola (E7 6c) aged 72.
Copia link
1 / 2
72-year-old British rock climber Rob Matheson climbing Tombola (E7 6c) at Nesscliffe in England
Craig Matheson
British rock climber Rob Matheson is proof yet again that age is no barrier to rock climbing with his recent ascent of Tombola at Nesscliffe quarry in England. The route, first ascended by Crispin Waddy at the end of the 1980’s, is a technical and psychological trad E7 6c. This lands somewhere in the region of French 7c, except that instead of shiny bolts it’s protected by thin cams and wires and boasts a balancy crux right below the top where flawless footwork is paramount.
What makes Matheson’s ascent stand out is the fact that the lakeland climber was born in 1950, meaning not only that he started climbing with hemp ropes and nailed boots, but that he is now 72 years old…
Related news
12/11/2021 - Climbing
Craig Matheson climbs Hard Cheese, cutting edge trad E10 at Bright Beck Cove, UK On 28 May 2021 British rock climber Craig Matheson made the first ascent of Hard Cheese at Bright Beck Cove in Langdale, UK. Graded E10 7a, this is a major...
07/06/2019 - Climbing
Steve McClure climbing GreatNess Wall E10 trad at Nesscliffe The video of Steve McClure making the first ascent of GreatNess Wall, an E10 7a trad climb at Nesscliffe, England.
29/05/2019 - Climbing
Steve McClure masters GreatNess Wall, huge E10 trad route at Nesscliffe Britain’s Steve McClure has made the first ascent of GreatNess Wall, the long-standing trad climbing project at Nesscliffe, England. Graded E10 7a, this checks in as one of the most...
18/05/2019 - Climbing
James McHaffie takes trad climbing whipper at Nesscliffe Video of British trad climber James McHaffie taking a long fall off an old trad climbing project at Nesscliffe, England.
Latest news
07/07/2026
Expo / News
Expo / Products
Ferrino Summit 25 is a lightweight, basic backpack designed for climbers and mountaineers seeking the lightest way to carry their gear.
Fully adjustable harness with four buckles, ideal for mountaineering, winter climbing and via ferrata.
Mammut Barryvox 2 is a compact avalanche transceiver for fast, supported search.
Versatile twelve-point crampons designed for classic mountaineering.
Adapta LIGHT GTX by AKU is the perfect walking boot for those looking for lightness, freshness and immediate comfort on the simplest summer excursions.
The Aurora is a top-level climbing harness designed specifically for women with special webbing that integrates breathable material with full strength strands for excellent breathability, good load distribution, and great packability.