SELF PORTRAIT


Sum up climbing... in three words:


Book-keeper-in-training, Devon


Soon afterwards, an illness led to the loss of her right leg, and it wasn’t until ten years later that she was introduced to paraclimbing by a friend. The very next year (2015), Hannah entered her first competition, won her category and was invited to join the GB Paraclimbing Team. Weekly coaching from Jack Gray taught her how to use her left leg effectively, and she won the British paraclimbing series in 2016. This year, under the guidance of the GB Team coaches, Hannah has focused on improving her nutrition and psychology, too.


W


“When you’re climbing no-one cares about your ability or disability everyone supports each other in achieving their personal goals. What I most enjoy about climbing is that I get out of the wheelchair. At the climbing wall, people see me as an equal and I hang out with like-minded, psyched people. It also gives me a sense of freedom. Since being on the team, my confidence has increased. Our coaches Robin O’Leary and Belinda Fuller create a positive team dynamic, and make the effort to climb in the style of the team members and to experience what we experience in order to help them coach us.”


hen Hannah first went climbing aged ten, she loved it and asked her mum if it was possible to make a living from the sport.


Independence, freedom, joy.


The best thing to happen to me this year was:


Getting out my wheelchair and learning to hop on crutches because it gave me my freedom and independence back.


The hardest route I climbed this year was:


My first 7b. Physically it was hard to work out and execute with one leg but psychologically it was harder to believe it was possible for me!


I’m inspired by:


My coaches, because in my opinion they are the best in the business and they continually push me to become a better climber and person. I’ve now learnt: “If at first you don’t succeed, smile and try again”. Learning to accept failure changed my climbing and my life.


Other people probably see me as:


More disabled than I feel because I’m in a wheelchair! In my head I’m no different to anyone else - this is great until I forget I don’t have a right foot and fall off a bridge move on a World Cup final route.


Fave possession:


Actually just a pebble from my favourite (previously inaccessible) beach because my best friend gave it to me the first time we went there on crutches.


I was most scared when:


This is a tricky question because as paraclimbers we’ve all been through a lot and have our own problems, but my coaches driving us around Austria for our first World Cup was up there!


I’d like to learn how to:


Wheelie on one wheel, because you’ve got to make the most of these things.


Most people don’t know this:


As I’ve been sat in a wheelchair for the past ten years, but stood up I’m actually 5’ 10” and have size nine feet.


My goals in life are:


To be happy and be the best I can be.


WE ARE SUMMIT


Summit is the magazine of the BMC (British Mountaineering Council). We work for climbers and walkers like you. Join us and get four issues a year.


EDITORIAL BMC


177 - 179 Burton Road Manchester, M20 2BB Tel: 0161 445 6111 Fax: 0161 445 4500 office@thebmc.co.uk www.thebmc.co.uk


Acting President: Nicholas Kurth CEO: Dave Turnbull Chief Editor: Alex Messenger Assistant Editor: Pete Burnside Assistant Editor: Sarah Stirling summit@thebmc.co.uk


PUBLISHING


Warners Group Publications plc Advertising:


West Street, Bourne


Lincolnshire PE10 9PH Tel: 01778 391000


Hayley Comey 01778 392445 Hayleyc@Warnersgroup.co.uk Design: Neil Arch Ad Design: Development Design


RISK & RESPONSIBILITY Climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. You should be aware of and accept these risks, and be responsible for your own actions and involvement. Views expressed within Summit are of the contributors, not necessarily the BMC.


Neither the BMC nor Warners Group Publications plc accept responsibility for any information supplied in adverts – take reasonable care when responding. 82 | CLIMB. WALK. JOIN.


Hannah in Innsbruck, Austria during a team training evening. Photo: Katie Baldwin. Words: Sarah Stirling.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68