Don't hit that ledge: preparing to lead the Skull Project

[@recoverysam]

Hi Dave, I have actually just watched your video on 20 years of depression...youmay remember me, maybe not, I belayed you on your first E7 on sight....i came across as a bit of a fantasist but my heart and ambition were always on the right place, I've suffered severe depression and anxiety for years, it's lead me to do some really daft things, like soloing E5s and really pushing limits, I've recently fallen back in love with (safe) climbing....I've got a family and life is good, but I want to thank you for spending time with me, and thank you also for your inspiration......

[@climbermacleod]

Hey, yeah of course I remember. Sorry to hear you had a rough time and glad that you survived going to the limits and are enjoying it all again.

[@recoverysam]

@@climbermacleod hi, thanks for the reply, yeah I took an almost 20 year absence from climbing, I had a break down and almost ended things, it was depression and anxiety, I went to back to my roots and went to Dollar Quarry for a walk and discovered someone had bolted it.... I got my 20 year old 5.10s out and touched rock again, it was amazing, it was actually life changing....it saved me, I watched all your vids, got so inspired, it really saved me, made me, me again!! Thank you

[@recoverysam]

I'll send some of the Yes, Yes Photos over to you soon, sorry they're not digital,

[@alejandrorodriguez5471]

You are doing such an amazing job, happy for you sam! I dont know you but glad you are here.

[@weekendbikingwarrior360]

who says the internet is full of BS, this is golden... massive respect to you @recoverysam, all the best Pal!

[@osrictentaqclesmin]

Dave this is an absolutely beautiful piece of filming. A great story with gentle cadence and intimate footage of your natural playground. The sequences at night with the stars was a joy to watch. I have a passion for astronomy, natural sciences and climbing. I am in awe of your passion, fortitude and conscious gratitude you bring to these endeavours; because I know first hand how injuries and depression loom large at certain times. More than any other climber, you inspire me to keep pushing my limits. Thank you

[@jonbrown314]

He climbs as well has he films. Even the first 5 seconds is just so well put together. I hope La Sportiva treats you well.

[@davidreynolds6737]

props to the belayer - looks about as stressful as the lead.

[@DizzyVizion]

Kev seems well tuned in 👍 Always good to see him and Dave in your videos 🙂

[@zurbruggpaul4360]

I had to watch the start of the route three times, such good climbing, such a good angle to be filmed and most importantly: such an attentive belayer!!

[@kevindawson9270]

The night sessions show an extraordinary level of commitment. Must have been freezing!

[@weekendbikingwarrior360]

Great to see Cubby passing on the projects of "yesteryear" to the next Gen. I spent 10 years+ on the Malham catwalk with him, and he's a bloody lovely ( very strong), humble and friendly bloke. Respect, great video.

[@philleng480]

Super step up in quality, got your sponsor stuff in without it being in your face, good length, good content, great story, loved the stars in the night session time lapse - video skills really up there, gave it a beautiful atmosphere (done night sessions and you aren't aware of the stars because of your own headtorch most of the time). Interviews with Cubby very natural. You will be producing other folks videos in the future. Thanks Dave.

[@ralphmunn6689]

This is SO inspirational, Dave. It snowed here yesterday, and my project is unlikely to be dry tomorrow... but I think I'll go up and have a look, feel the positions, perhaps brew up. It's hand-warmer time here in New England, but I've GOT those, so it's "game on!"

[@neilbower123]

Excellent vid on greta exposed route ina a wonderful setting. Thanks for posting this

[@mw5360]

The greatest climbing channel on youtube delivers again.

[@arthuredeson3824]

That mug at the start looked suspiciously empty... Brilliant climbing and brilliant video!

[@johnjordansailing]

The colors on that drone shot were special. Also the characteristic sound of your breathing as you climbed through the crux so captures that feeling of leading at one's limit, especially outside.

[@satanaz]

Dave not only keeps on progressing with his climbing but also with filming, scripting and video making Always a delight to watch your videos!

[@brendanacord]

1) the weather did look good, and 2) with that scenery, I can totally understand why you didn’t want trad season to be done! What an aesthetic line! Well done!

[@CoyoWyWy]

Great video. I love watching you climb. I also enjoy the detail you go into about the redpoint process covering all the angles. Physical difficulty, technique issues, gear, your mental progression. I learn a lot from these videos and improve at my own redpointing from watching them and then examining my own redpoint tactics, especially the mental side. Thanks Dave!

[@ElliotLukeB]

Terrific climbing & cinematography

[@simongreenthumb6376]

More quality insight Dave. Thanks

[@JEdit23]

Congragulations on the route, looks incredible! Big fan of your climbing an approach to it!

[@CJStepanek]

Brilliant send Dave, congratulations. Always an inspiration. Also, have heard and seen little bits of Cubby's trad climbing legacy but haven't heard many of his own words. Would love to see another of your interviews!

[@davidenkel6675]

JOP😊I agree. I also noticed a great improvement in filming, story telling and landscape views. Great work, Dave. I would like to see more details about the night-sessions. But maybe it is to difficult to film them because of the missing light. All the best, David E.

[@christopherrogi7405]

Incredible footage, as always! The night-shots with the stars in the background, goosebumps all over..congrats!

[@petestack]

Superb, Dave... short route, short video, consistently watchable/interesting and perfectly named! :-)

[@YannCamusBlissClimbing]

Congragulations! I enjoyed the video a lot. Lots of work into it!

[@octavia2]

Fantastic video

[@dangin-1000]

Came straight here before I'd even watched a minute of this to comment on Dave's guitar being revealed just as the guitar sweeps in on the track at 0:15... whether it's intentional or not these details add to the aura.

[@scramblingblackberry]

You’re my climbing hero Dave!

[@robertcreer8826]

Inspiring as ever Dave, thank you

[@francoisvecchi5155]

inspiring, intéressant de montrer tout le processus de travail d'une voie, merci

[@kar0x]

awesome to see, as allways

[@filippobagnato8322]

🔥 stunning place!

[@hlwy]

Another belter Dave

[@noahpraver9521]

Dave you’re the man

[@leotenno4534]

Short and intense routes are the best!

[@JacoxNovak]

Congrats on the La Sportiva sponsorship, haha. Jokes aside, as a person who makes a living making videos I can say the quality of your videos is astounding, keep it up!

[@climbermacleod]

Haha thank you.

[@ryanj9571]

Is there something up that steep face left of Highbrow? looks like an amazing feature!!

[@alexanderbogander2671]

11:19, how was this draw held on? tape?

[@climbermacleod]

Tape, yes.

[@DSClimb]

Somehow I like this method better than climbing with preclipped pro in your mouth 😀

[@aidanscarffe5256]

love these vids!

[@DeadEightVids]

Maybe a stupid question, but in situations like this why don't people rope some bouldering mats off an anchor covering the ledge?

[@climbermacleod]

I did.

[@mikemcguinness6932]

Great video Dave! Maybe it's not very windy, but the sound quality is very good. Could you tell me what mics you use for your videos please? I'm assuming they're clip on wireless ones?

[@pumakele1749]

Hello, greeting from Poland :) Climber for 3 months

[@elliotwalker4182]

How many cameras do you take to film these? The send footage was exceptional, with each different angle being well chosen. I'm just wondering how you fit it all in your bag!

[@cameronstein2927]

On a route like that, how are you setting up your decent/retrievable anchor?

[@climbermacleod]

Three cams at the top. I collected them afterwards.

[@marcushill78]

Great effort, that looks serious and committed. What's with all the night time practicing?

[@nf2px]

Did I see an ESP there? Have you always shredded metal or is it something new (perhaps something to focus on while the ankle healed)?

[@guitxmaster11]

Also spotted the LTD. We need more info on Dave’s shredding skills!

[@khakicam5400]

I recall that he had Pantera over one of his mad steep solos

[@dannygrout92]

Dave (8a+ with single piece of hard to place gear above an ankle breaker is reasonable E8) Mcleod

[@edwardoakley8659]

11:58 What a shot

[@garronfish8227]

Did you think of bringing up two pads?

[@climbermacleod]

Three.

[@Kingofdafarm21]

​@@climbermacleoddid you use pads on the red point?

[@maxmycroft8239]

Do you tape your gear to your harness?

[@climbermacleod]

Well only when needed, but yes.

[@sethford2227]

How good did that climbing feel after all the hard scary stuff was done?

[@sobyeski]

Highbrow 👏👏

[@niallgrimes3642]

Cubby!!!

[@PalmiP]

mazin

[@alexanderbogander2671]

first!

[@fat82much]

Hey Dave was that tape you used to secure your cam to your harness so you could just rip it off?

[@climbermacleod]

Yes.