Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 26, 2014 - 04:31pm PT
|
The Climbing world recently learned that 62 year old Phyl P., of La Verne California, recently made an free solo ascent of the three highest peaks in the Stiperstones in a single day.
Phyl, or phylp, as she is sometimes known, recently relocated to southern California to train for the ascents. Her summit of Mt Baldy in May 2014 is a noteworthy benchmark in this regard.
The quartzite tors called the Stiperstones are located in the Shropshire Hills of England, near the border of Wales. The three most coveted summits - Nipstone, Manstone and the Devil’s Chair - have probably been summited less than 7,000,000 times. Records of the first ascent have been lost, but were likely made in 6-8000 BC. The first recorded ascent was in 43 AD by a Roman climber named Jimicus Doninius, but this is an asterisked ascent because of his use of a bluestone cammingstone.
Phylp, or phylyp, as she is sometimes known, began the day with an ascent of Nipstone:
She said “It was really only a warmup for me, some people call it class II but I think it’s only class II minus. But the views made the summit worth it”:
From Nipstone, the next two summits could be seen in the far distance.:
But the trek to the twin prizes of Manstone and Devil’s Chair was not easily made. According to the local guidebook “along the ridge the paths are so rough that walking and gazing can be slightly tricky”:
Finally, Manstone was reached, and the dynamic old hag made quick work of the ascent:
Before the attempt on the Devils Chair the soloist thought it wise to refuel: “I had a few whinberries that we picked along the trail, but I was starting to feel puckish. So I ate an apple and a Chorley Cake and then I felt ready to go.” Of the Devil’s Chair the guidebook says “arguably the most impressive of the Stiperstones and the one whose summit is the hardest to reach”.
Controversy has arisen, however, over the validity of the Devil’s Chair ascent. “OK, so I didn’t really stand on the summit, but I touched it with both hands and kind of hugged the rock really tight. Normally people mantel that summit move but I’m too short for that technique to work for me. I usually lieback stuff like that, but on that day the rock was still damp from the previous day’s rain, so the conditions wouldn’t allow it.”
Asked what was next for her, the spry sexagenarian said “Well, I’m turning 63 in a couple of weeks so I’m kind of surprised I can still get out of bed in the morning. But next I’m thinking either Tenaya Peak or the Grand Illusion. Either would be fun, and that’s all it’s about for me.”
|
|
RyanD
climber
Squamish
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 04:36pm PT
|
This is awesome Phyl!!
Great job!
Edit- wonderful sarcasm too ;-)
|
|
mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 04:36pm PT
|
Sooooo Puckish!
Awesomely so.
Thenk you, veddy much.
|
|
wilbeer
Mountain climber
Terence Wilson greeneck alleghenys,ny,
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 04:50pm PT
|
Wilbeer,also known as Wilson,is glad you had no maladjustments,misadventures or problems getting to the next level[your climb]and is wholeheartedly glad you shared what you were climbing today.
Cheers.
|
|
Gilroy
Social climber
Bolderado
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 04:53pm PT
|
Right Stuff, phylp. I chuckled until I stopped.
Great to meet you @ the CoR gathering.
|
|
murcy
Gym climber
sanfrancisco
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 05:03pm PT
|
Great work!
And I don't believe all those rumors of helicopter rides.
|
|
Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 05:20pm PT
|
Never having climbed onto anything higher than a barstool in England, I'm not sure if I'm a qualified judge.
But then again, I've enjoyed a lot of English climbing stories and especially, odd stories from a couple of Brits.
(They are all fun, but odd.)
I would judge the triple ascents to count as a 6-S, 2-A
Significant, Shropshire Stiperstones Solo Spry Sexagenarian American Ascent!
Good work and thanks for sharing!
|
|
drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 05:50pm PT
|
Ban her.
|
|
guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 05:56pm PT
|
Well, that was fun! And you gave your age away........
|
|
this just in
climber
north fork
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 06:13pm PT
|
Awesome Phyl aka Phylp! Great humor, especially the Donini reference. You might have the first sun ascent FSA. Look forward to more England pics, thanks Phyl.
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 06:17pm PT
|
Good on ya!,
|
|
Banquo
climber
Amerricka
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 06:24pm PT
|
phylp is Crushing it in the UK. Show them Pommies how it's done!
|
|
jgill
Boulder climber
Colorado
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 07:00pm PT
|
Pretty country, youngster. You did good.
;>)
|
|
SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, or In What Time Zone Am I?
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 07:48pm PT
|
Dayum, Phyl, that was awesome. But to lie about your age just to join the rarified ranks of the Platinum Posse is unethical. I know you aren't a day over 50.
Climb high!
Susan
|
|
guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 07:56pm PT
|
Good one Susan!
|
|
SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 08:04pm PT
|
Hot Da##, Phyl!
I hope you had a Guiness (or three) after that!!!!
AWESOME!!!!!
|
|
Fletcher
Gym climber
A very quiet place
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 08:11pm PT
|
Instant classic... highly enjoyable. Thanks!
Eric
|
|
mooser
Trad climber
seattle
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 08:20pm PT
|
Awesome TR!!!!!!
You are one gutsy woman!
|
|
Ward Trotter
Trad climber
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 08:22pm PT
|
The climbing world is in stunned disbelief at the sheer magnitude of this accomplishment.
An inertia has been created that has inhibited and dwarfed every subsequent effort.
Mt. Baldy has emerged as the training ground par excellance .
Nothing is the same anymore. It's as if a giant " reset" button has been pushed in the annals of mountaineering.
|
|
klk
Trad climber
cali
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2014 - 08:25pm PT
|
i'm pretty sure those shots are photoshopped.
looks at those pics-- it's practically in wales. but the sky is blue, and the sun is shining.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!