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Born:

1985, London, England

Biggest achievement:

Guinness World Record: first blind person to lead the Old Man of Hoy (2019) / First blind climber to onsight E2: Forked Lightning Crack (2020) / First blind person to make first ascents in Greenland (2017)

DMM athlete since:

2019

Jesse Dufton is a British climber, Guinness World Record holder and paraclimbing champion from Loughborough who has redefined what is possible in blind trad climbing. Born with rod-cone dystrophy, a rare genetic condition that gradually breaks down the retina's cells, Jesse had just 20 percent central vision at birth and lost the remainder of his sight during his twenties. His father introduced him to climbing at the age of two and he led his first trad route at eleven, before having to relearn the entire craft without sight. He holds the Guinness World Record as the first blind person to lead the Old Man of Hoy, an achievement so extraordinary it was raised in the Scottish Parliament and captured in the BBC documentary Climbing Blind by Alastair Lee. In 2020 he became the first blind climber to onsight E2 with his ascent of Forked Lightning Crack at Heptonstall, guided entirely by touch, memory and the voice of his wife and climbing partner Molly. A multiple medal winner at IFSC Paraclimbing World Cups and World Championships and a first ascensionist in Greenland and Morocco, Jesse is one of the most inspiring and determined climbers in the world today.

"Don't let go."

Get to know Jesse

When did you start climbing?

My dad took me up my first route when I was 2 years old, Ordinary Route on Idwal Slabs. I led my first route at 11 on the sea cliffs in Cornwall. Unusually, I had to learn to climb twice: when I lost my sight in my mid-twenties, I had to relearn how to place gear without being able to see it.

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

Forked Lightning Crack at Heptonstall was a milestone. It was the first route I climbed with no sight that was harder than anything I had climbed when I could still see a little. Breaking through that boundary had huge psychological significance. I'm also proud of onsighting Howling Gale (E3) in Pembroke and headpointing Bat Out of Hell (E5), as they are the hardest trad onsight and headpoint by a blind climber to date, but personally nothing can match breaking through the psychological barrier I did when I climbed Forked Lightning Crack.

Have you ticked anything off your bucket list?

In climbing Howling Gale in 2025, I had unequivocally onsighted E3, something that had been on my bucket list for quite a while. Before that, the Old Man of Hoy was the obvious one. In April 2026 I headpointed Bat Out of Hell, graded E5, my hardest route to date by some margin. I am yet to climb an E4, though I'm unsure if it qualifies as a "bucket list" route, as it seemed to happen by accident: I never thought I would reach that grade when I was younger, and I was unaware of the route before my friend's recommendation. If it's possible to retroactively add bucket list routes, then I should definitely add it.

How would you describe your climbing style and your anti-style?

My style is slow, very slow and static. I'm good on routes that require endurance, but you won't find me doing many double paddle dynos.

What keeps you motivated?

Seeing progression in my climbing and going to cool places.

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

Don't let go.

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

I love wooded crags where you can smell the trees and listen to birdsong. The City of Rocks in Idaho stands out in my mind for this. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so Heptonstall Quarry is a picturesque ideal for me.

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