5 Professional Rock Climbers Who Started Late
Compared to some other top climbers who began climbing at a very young age, these climbers could be considered to have started relatively late. However, it’s important to note that “late” is a relative term in the climbing world, and starting in your teens or even early 20s is still considered quite young by most standards.
In any case, what’s most impressive about these climbers is not necessarily the age at which they started climbing, but rather their dedication, passion, and hard work in pursuing the sport. Regardless of when they started, they have all become some of the most accomplished and respected climbers in the world, which is a testament to their talent and perseverance.
1. Yuji Hirayama
Yuji Hirayama is a Japanese rock climber who is widely regarded as one of the greatest climbers in the history of the sport. Born in 1969, Hirayama started climbing at the age of 18, relatively late compared to many top climbers who began as young children.
Despite starting relatively late, Hirayama quickly established himself as one of the top climbers in the world, with numerous difficult ascents to his name. He has made first ascents of some of the most challenging routes in the world, including The Nose on El Capitan and The Fish on the Marmolada in Italy.
Hirayama is known for his bold and fearless climbing style, which has earned him the respect and admiration of climbers around the world. He has also been instrumental in developing the sport of climbing in Japan, where he has inspired a new generation of climbers with his incredible skill and dedication.
Today, Hirayama continues to climb and inspire climbers around the world, and his legacy in the sport of climbing is secure as one of the all-time greats.
2. Lynn Hill
Lynn Hill is a legendary rock climber who is widely regarded as one of the greatest climbers of all time. She was born in California in 1961 and started climbing at the age of 14. Hill quickly discovered a talent for the sport and began competing in local competitions. She soon became a dominant force in the climbing world, winning multiple national and international championships.
Hill is best known for her groundbreaking ascent of The Nose on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. In 1993, she became the first person to free climb The Nose, meaning she ascended the entire route without the use of any aid gear or equipment. The climb was widely considered to be one of the greatest achievements in the history of rock climbing and helped to cement Hill’s status as a legend in the sport.
Despite her many accomplishments, Hill’s path to success was not without its challenges. She faced sexism and discrimination in the male-dominated climbing world and had to fight for recognition and respect. Hill also suffered a serious injury in 1989 when she fell more than 50 feet while attempting a difficult climb in France. However, she was determined to recover and return to climbing, and she continued to push the limits of what was possible in the sport throughout her career.
Today, Hill remains a revered figure in the climbing community and an inspiration to climbers around the world. Her legacy serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, determination, and passion for one’s craft.
3. Tommy Caldwell
Tommy Caldwell is an American rock climber who is widely regarded as one of the greatest climbers of his generation. Born in 1978, Caldwell didn’t start climbing until he was in his early teens, which is relatively late compared to many top climbers who started as young children.
Despite starting later, Caldwell quickly developed a talent for the sport and began pushing himself to climb more difficult routes. He has established many difficult first ascents throughout the world, including several big wall climbs in Yosemite National Park.
One of Caldwell’s most notable achievements was his free ascent of the Dawn Wall on El Capitan, which he completed in 2015 with his climbing partner Kevin Jorgeson. The Dawn Wall climb is considered one of the most difficult climbs in the world, and Caldwell’s ascent of it was a major milestone in the sport of climbing.
In addition to his climbing accomplishments, Caldwell is also known for his resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. In 2000, he lost part of his index finger in a woodworking accident, which many thought would end his climbing career. However, Caldwell refused to let the injury hold him back and went on to achieve even greater success in the sport.
Today, Caldwell continues to climb and inspire climbers around the world with his skill, determination, and love for the sport. He is a true legend in the world of climbing and a role model for anyone who aspires to achieve greatness through hard work and perseverance.
4. Chris Sharma
Chris Sharma is an American rock climber who is widely regarded as one of the greatest climbers of his generation. Born in 1981 in Santa Cruz, California, Sharma was introduced to climbing at the age of 12 and quickly became obsessed with the sport. He began competing in youth climbing competitions and soon established himself as one of the top young climbers in the country.
Sharma’s climbing style is characterized by his incredible strength, technical skill, and ability to push the limits of what is possible in the sport. He is particularly known for his difficult sport climbs and bouldering problems and has established many first ascents of some of the hardest routes in the world.
One of Sharma’s most notable achievements was his ascent of La Dura Dura, a 5.15c sport climb in Spain that many considered to be one of the most difficult climbs in the world. Sharma made the first ascent of the route in 2013 after spending several years working on it, and his success was widely celebrated as a milestone in the history of rock climbing.
Despite his incredible talent and success, Sharma has also faced challenges and setbacks throughout his career. He has struggled with injuries and setbacks and has had to adapt his approach to climbing over the years. However, he remains a beloved figure in the climbing world and continues to inspire climbers around the world with his incredible skill, passion, and dedication to the sport.
5. Alex Honnold
Alex Honnold is an American rock climber who is widely considered one of the greatest climbers of all time. Born in 1985, Honnold started climbing at the age of 11 and quickly discovered a natural talent for the sport.
Honnold is best known for his free solo climbs of some of the world’s most difficult and dangerous routes, which he accomplished without the use of ropes or other safety equipment. His most famous free solo climb was his ascent of El Capitan’s Freerider route in Yosemite National Park, which he completed in 2017.
In addition to his free solo climbing achievements, Honnold has also set numerous speed records on difficult routes and has established many difficult first ascents throughout the world. He is known for his calm and calculated approach to climbing, as well as his dedication and hard work in pursuing the sport.
Honnold is also a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and has used his fame and influence to raise awareness about issues such as climate change and protecting public lands. He is the founder of the Honnold Foundation, which supports renewable energy initiatives around the world.
Today, Honnold continues to climb and inspire climbers around the world with his incredible skill, dedication, and passion for the sport. He is a true legend in the climbing world and a role model for anyone who aspires to achieve greatness through hard work and determination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of professional rock climbing is filled with athletes who started climbing at a young age and developed their skills over many years. However, there are also climbers who started relatively late in life but still managed to achieve incredible success and become some of the best in the world.
Climbers like Lynn Hill, Chris Sharma, Hazel Findlay, Yuji Hirayama, Tommy Caldwell, and Alex Honnold all began climbing in their late teens or early 20s, but through hard work, dedication, and passion, they were able to develop their skills and achieve great success in the sport.
Their stories serve as an inspiration to climbers of all ages and backgrounds, showing that with perseverance and dedication, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and achieve great things. These climbers have not only pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in climbing but also inspired a new generation of climbers to pursue their passions and achieve their own goals.
