Kai Lightner Opens Jamaica’s Hardest Climb
If You're Tall is a new 5.13c climbed by Lightner on a recent visit to the Caribbean thanks to an invite by Jam Rock Climbing
American climber Kai Lightner has made the first ascent of If You’re Tall in Jamaica. It’s now the country’s hardest sport climb at 5.13c. Earlier this year, he repeated Life of Villains 5.14d in the Hurricave, Utah. His first 5.14d was Era Vella in Spain nearly a decade ago – read about his send here.
Lightner first walked into The Climbing Place in Fayetteville back in 2006 and discovered the world of climbing. In 2010, he won his first sport climbing national championship. In September 2014, he earned the gold medal for his age category at the Youth World Championships, becoming the first American Lead World Champion since 1995. In 2015, at the age of 15, he became the National Lead Champion in his first year of eligibility. He has earned 12 national championship titles and is a five-time Youth World Championship medallist. Lightner is also the founder of Climbing for Change.
After climbing Life of Villains, Lightner said, “If I could send a message to my younger self, I’d tell him fighting your body is a battle you will never win. I’d tell him to trust the process and believe in yourself. I’d tell him it IS possible to achieve your dreams bigger AND better.”
There are several crags around the small Caribbean island of Jamaica that are currently under development. Jam Rock Climbing helps raise money for route development and community awareness. Learn more about them here and follow them on Instagram below.
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