Video: Steve McClure climbing Britain's hardest sport route, Rainman 9b at Malham Cove

At the start of June 2017 Britain's Steve McClure, the man at the helm of British sport climbing for the last two decades, finally made the first ascent of Rainman at Malham Cove in England. Aged 46 at the time, McClure put forward the grade 9b which, if confirmed, makes it not only his hardest creation yet, but also the hardest climb in the country. This is the story of his 128-day journey.

9a or harder by Steve McClure
1998 - Mutation 9a Ravens Tor. Unrepeated
2000 - Northern Lights 9a Kilnsey. 
2003 - Rainshadow 9a Malham Cove. 
2006 - Stevolution 9a Ravens Tor. Unrepeated
2007 - Overshadow 9a+ Malham Cove. 
2008 - North Star 9a Kilnsey. 
2008 - New Thing 9a Ravens Tor. Unrepeated
2010 - Finest Pedigree 9a+ Cheedale. Unrepeated
2017 - Rainman 9b, Malham Cove. Unrepeated


TOPO: the crag Malham Cove