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Born:

1966, England

Biggest achievement:

First ascent of Hubble (9a), Raven Tor, the world's first 9a (1990) / First ascent of Statement of Youth (8a), Lower Pen Trwyn (1984) / First ascent of Voyager low start (8B+), Burbage (2006) / Fourth ascent of Rainshadow (9a), Malham Cove, age 49 (2015) / Founder of Moon Climbing and creator of the MoonBoard

Ben Moon is one of the most influential and pioneering climbers in the history of the sport. Born on 13 June 1966 in England, he started climbing at seven in the Lake District and by his late teens was already redefining what was possible on rock. In 1984, aged just 18, he established Statement of Youth (8a) at Lower Pen Trwyn, one of the first pure sport routes in the UK. What followed was a decade of groundbreaking first ascents that reshaped sport climbing internationally, culminating in the first ascent of Hubble at Raven Tor in 1990, now widely regarded as the world's first 9a. In bouldering he was equally ahead of his time, establishing Voyager (low start) at Font 8B+ on gritstone in 2006, which went unrepeated for around eight years. In 2015, just shy of his 49th birthday, he made the fourth ascent of Rainshadow (9a) at Malham Cove, demonstrating that age need not be a ceiling for hard climbing. Alongside his climbing, Ben founded Moon Climbing in 2002 and created the globally renowned MoonBoard, which has transformed how climbers around the world train for hard movement.

"If you want to achieve something, you need discipline and you need to work hard."

Get to know Ben

When did you start climbing?

I first started climbing when I was 7 years old, back in 1973, whilst on a family holiday in the Lake District. I was hooked from the word go. By the age of 15 I knew I was pretty good, but I never thought about making a living from climbing. I just thought about going climbing every day and how I could make that happen.

What do you consider your most significant climbing achievement to date?

I am probably most proud of climbing Hubble, which is generally considered to be the world's first 9a. I am also very proud of the low start to Voyager (8B+), which was the hardest gritstone boulder problem at the time and went unrepeated for around eight years. And making the fourth ascent of Rainshadow (9a) at Malham at the age of 49.

Which route keeps calling you back?

Northern Lights at Kilnsey, although it doesn't really call me anymore because I have finally accepted that I am probably never going to climb it. I gave it my best shot.

How do you manage the mental pressure of a long-term project?

I try not to want it too badly and just enjoy the process of climbing. That is easier said than done, of course.

What is the most valuable piece of climbing advice you have received?

Climbing is like anything else in life. If you want to be good at something, you have to work really hard at it.

What keeps you motivated?

Trying new routes and boulder problems.

Which crag or mountain is your favourite and which do you consider the most beautiful in the world?

Almost impossible to answer. The Peak District is very special to me. Then again, Fontainebleau is pretty hard to beat as well.

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