Mari Augusta Salvesen with ascent of "Ray's Roof E7 6c" at Baldstones in Staffordshire

The Norwegian Mari Augusta Salvesen maganges of the Offwidth monster in Gritstone. She was also the first woman to torment herself through the crack roof. The crack testpiece remains a gritstone testpiece and is one of the hardest of its kind in the UK The crack was first ascented in 1977 by Ray Jardine, as Yosemite climber of course a „crack master“. Mari also sends an ascent of „Master’s Edge“ (E7 6b) in the Peak District.

Mari commented: ‚“I had a surprising amount of fun climbing on just a few metres of route. It’s not over until you’re whaling out of the crack. Normal beta is deep fisting, but no way would my lanky fist fit in there, so Pete’s sister (Katy Whittaker) suggested I use a boxing glove at the crux. I found a more sophisticated way though, and I really don’t think it’s that much of a disadvantage to be a bit smaller. It was a little battle, but with body and limbs jammed in there I didn’t really feel like I could fall off.‘

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: (c) Mike Hutton