News Flash: McClure makes 2nd ascent of Lexicon (E11)

• Tuesday 21st September 2021

The red hot news from Pavey Ark in the Lake District is that Steve McClure has just made the second ascent of Neil Gresham’s new E11 7a, Lexicon.

It’s been an eventful time up on Pavey Ark since Neil Gresham added Lexicon up the impending wall between Impact Day (E8) and Sixpence (E6) with no less than five climbers - Craig Matheson, Franko Cookson, Angus Killi, Dave MacLeod as well as Steve McClure – all showing an interesting in Lexicon.

Last Thursday, Steve McClure – after only a few days on the route and having top roped it just once – committed to the lead at the end of the day. Spectacularly, and at the end of the huge run-out and executing the final crucal moves, Steve’s foot skated off a foothold and he fell!

“Was fully committed yesterday... so much that I took pretty much the full lob! Ridiculously scary, don't fancy that again.... will have to muster up some courage to go again!” Steve told Climber last Friday when he’d driven home and slept on his ‘adventure’.

Not one to leave unfinished business, McClure summed up his (then) feelings saying: “Gresham was belaying and he looked white as a sheet! Back hopefully next week to see how my head is!”

True to his word, Steve was back there today and got the job done. Stay tuned for more details…