Andy Pollitt

Climbing career

In the mid-1980s, Pollitt rose to prominence in Britain as a leading traditional climber, completing over 350 climbs, with important first ascents such as The Hollow Man (E8 6b, 1986), and Knockin' on Heaven's Door (E9 6c, 1988). working on the sport climbing route, Punks in the Gym, the first-ever graded route, which had been freed by Wolfgang Gullich in 1985. In the book, Pollitt revealed that he suffered from bipolar disorder, and also talked about his long-standing addiction to alcohol; something which had held him back throughout his climbing career.

Notable ascents 1984: Skinhead Moonstomp (E6 6b), Gogarth North Stack. First free ascent. One of the classics of Welsh climbing, and Pollitt's favourite FFA. 1988: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (E9 6c), Curbar Edge. First free ascent and the first-ever E9 on gritstone; considered "a last great problem". 1988: Thormen's Moth (8a), Thor's Cave, Peak District. First free ascent of an aid climbing roof route; Pollitt considered it one of his best lines. 1992 (5 May): Punks in the Gym (8b+), Mount Arapiles. Sixth ascent of the world's first-ever ; Pollitt retired from climbing that day.