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Born:

2002, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Biggest achievement:

Youngest person ever to climb 5.14a, God's Own Stone, Red River Gorge (age 10 years, 7 months, 2013) / Multiple 5.14+ redpoints / Prolific first ascentionist.

DMM athlete since:

2018

Jonathan Hörst is an American sport climber from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who grew up quite literally surrounded by climbing. The son of legendary climbing coach and author Eric Hörst and younger brother of Cameron Hörst, Jonathan started playing on the family's basement wall at around three years old and led his first roped climbs outdoors at six. At ten years and seven months he made his first 5.14a redpoint on God's Own Stone at the Red River Gorge, making him at the time the youngest climber in the world to achieve the grade. Now at 6'3" and over 185 pounds, Jonathan defies every stereotype of the featherweight elite climber, with a tick list that runs deep into the 5.14 range across sustained limestone and sandstone routes throughout the US and Europe. A biochemistry graduate of Penn State University now completing a master's in Nutritional Science at the University of Utah, Jonathan balances rigorous academic study with serious climbing, prolific new route development at the Red River Gorge and ambitions that stretch toward El Capitan and the Greater Ranges. Deeply principled and driven by faith as much as performance, he is a climber whose goals go well beyond the next grade.

"Understanding that there is more to the moment than clipping the chains. Come to know your project not as an obstacle to conquer but an opportunity to access your potential and deepen your experience."

Get to Know Jonathan Hörst.

When did you start climbing?

I would say when I was one, essentially as soon as I could walk. I began playing on my family's basement wall and fell in love. My first lead was at six and my first 5.14 at ten, so you can choose where to draw the line.

Which route keeps calling you back?

Golden Gate on El Cap. As I expand into more epic endeavours, freeing El Cap and ultimately in a day keeps returning to mind alongside my hard sport objectives.

What is the primary objective remaining on your bucket list?

Climbing 5.15a, which hopefully will happen in the near future. Beyond that, establishing a 5.14 big wall and an alpine first ascent.

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

Moderately overhanging climbing at 20 to 30 metres, sustained and endurance-based. I am not a lower-angle climber and with my larger frame find full-on cave climbing hard work. Resting and enduro climbing is my strong suit. Small crimps are my kryptonite.

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

I have developed a deep appreciation for the process of projecting. The long-term process allows you to experience a more substantial joy at the end and access a part of yourself that is rarely reached elsewhere. The project is not an obstacle to conquer but an opportunity to access your potential.

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

My favourite is the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. I have climbed there since I was a toddler, have dozens of first ascents there and so many memories with good friends. The most beautiful, undoubtedly, is Yosemite.

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