Here’s How You Turn a Highball Into A Gear Climb – With a Skyhook
Top gear climber Dave MacLeod finds good protection on this recently climbed highball
Dave MacLeod recently repeated Pete Herd’s new route Hyperborea E7 7a at Duntelchaig. MacLeod said the route is “a spicy wee highball trad. After so many surgeries, I opted for a wee skyhook to protect the crux.”
If you don’t know what they are, skyhooks come in different sizes, with each being shaped slightly different. The three most common are a bat/talon (small), a cliffhanger (medium), and a grappling (large). Many difficult trad routes in the U.K. require skyhook placements, but they require proper understanding to use safely.
We recently touched base with MacLeod about hard climbing and injuries, read the interview here, and watch MacLeod’s send below.
Skyhooks Instead of a Highball
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
The Must-Have Indoor Climbing Essentials
You don't need to rely on good weather for big climbings days
