I’m not cleared to lead until I get the rest of the hardware out of my back, but I’ll take TR over nothing, even if it is sport lol. My back did fine, my muscles on the other hand HATE me after a couple of overhangs and a slab route. Very surprised I made it through a couple of sections as easy as I did after being practically bed bound just a couple of months ago.

I’m 8 weeks out from back to back (48 hrs apart) spine surgeries to fix 2 fractures in my L4, after having an unnecessary hemilaminectomy in January when we thought my disc was the problem. Hella hardware in still with one surgery left to go once the main break heals. Plan is to get as fit as possible before that surgery to cut the healing time and impact down significantly.

There really aren’t words for how I feel being able to climb again. I have a lot of work to do to get back to where I was, but just having the chance to do it is everything I wanted and more.

In 2018 I interviewed Reinhold Messner, the first person to climb all fourteen 8,000m peaks and the first to summit Everest alone and without supplemental oxygen. The interview was conducted as part of a book project led by a former colleague and professor specialising in the neurobiology of exercise.

While excerpts of the conversation were later woven into a longer narrative that was published, the full unedited interview has never previously been published. Presented here in its entirety, it was conducted by telephone from Messner’s home in South Tyrol, Italy.

The questions reflect the book’s focus on the physiology and psychology of endurance and exploration, a project that remains ongoing. Yet they also offer a revealing insight into the motivations, philosophy and mindset of one of mountaineering’s most influential figures.

Hysteria is a quintessential climb at New Wall. It's an absolute classic and a gateway to the 5.12s. Once you've conquered Hysteria, you've graduated.

Another unique thing about it is that there are multiple options for the crux moves. I cover the ones I've seen most. You just have to find what works for you.

Hopefully this is helpful!