Page 35 - 2009 AMA Winter

Please briefly explain your military history (if any).
Filling out this questionnaire!
Please briefly explain your AMA history (If any).
None!
Please briefly describe your life and job description now.
I’m a self-employed full-time climber, earn- ing money through sponsorship, coaching, bits of writing and various media jobs that come my way. My lifestyle seems to have morphed into my job, which is great. I don’t earn fantastic amounts of money but I do enjoy myself and to me being fulfilled and not having regrets about what I could’ve done is more important than earning wads of cash.
Are you married and do you have children?
I have a long-term partner Tim Glasby who is a sports photographer; we don’t have children but do have a dog- Kodo, the best crag dog in the world.
Your top tip for climbing?
Analyse your weaknesses and try hard! Be realistic with your goals and enjoy your days out.
What is your favourite hill food/meal?
Malt loaf!
Where and when did you first start climbing?
The Avon Gorge- it was a great place for getting the head together and definitely gave me a good grounding in delicate technical climbing.
What piece of gear always or never goes on your rack?
I always take my RPs (now DMM IMPs) on limestone E4’s and harder and never carry hexes on anything.
What’s on your IPod?
Lots of David Bowie, Leonard Cohen and about 1500 other songs. I have discovered podcasts in a big way; they are great when I’m on a long trip abroad. They keep me entertained and allow me to hear some English voices. My favourites are my free learn Spanish podcasts, they’re bueno.
What skill should every man have?
Telepathy of course.
What’s the worst physical pain you have ever experienced?
My physical pain and accidents I’ve had pale into insignificance to emotional loss. I haven’t had to deal with much death yet in my life, consequently, when my first dog died I was an emotional wreck. I’m a bit of a softy.
What one thing should every man know about women?
That we are always right- well, that’s what we like to think!
Any Scars that tell a story?
Numerous scars on my legs and arms from a soloing fall when I was 19yrs old. I pulled a hold off and fell 40-45 feet onto rocks. I was very lucky to get away with a couple of broken bones but the scars are there to remind me that rock is never to be trusted and that I was a bit gung-ho in my youth.
“Climb when ready!”
Seven times British Leading Champion and without doubt the UK’s most accomplished female climber, LUCY CREAMER talks to ARMY MOUNTAINEER on life, music and
her top tips for climbing.
Lucy is sponsored by Marmot, DMM, Scarpa and Grivel; she is also supported by The Foundry and The Edge climbing walls in Sheffield. You can e-mail Lucy and find out more about her work at www.lucycreamer.com
Next edition: Steve McClure
ARMY MOUNTAINEER 33