Chalkstorm – E3 hands free with Johnny Dawes!

Johnny Dawes hands free on Chalkstone – Photo David Linnett

Here’s a wee video about the original and inimitable Stone Monkey, Johnny Dawes and his attempt to try a hands free “walk” up the Roaches lower tier classic called Chalkstorm on a scorching hot day during the CC meet in June 2018. Chalkstorm is often the source of a good argument in the pub about it’s grade but most folks seem to think that a normal trad ascent, without a side runner, is worth E3 5c. I’m not sure what grade you could give this but perhaps Johnny could come up with his own “walking” grading system! So if a VDiff is a Wk 1, perhaps this would be graded Wk 8…

Johnny Dawes hands free on Chalkstone – Photo David Linnett

Anyway featuring aerial footage of one of the greatest gritstone crags with one of the UK’s greatest ever climbers, sit back and marvel at some jedi balance, ninja footwork and magician movement!

Dave Linnett