Name: Anne Murray
DOB: 26/06/1966
Interview By: Ben Moon

BM - When and where did you start climbing?
AM - I got introduced to climbing by one of the PE teachers at my 6th Form College - a group of us would get taken to various indoor walls around Hampshire on Wednesday afternoons. Then one weekend they took us cragging to Froggat & Curbar and that was it - I was hooked!

BM - Do you have a favorite style of climbing (traditional, sport, bouldering etc)?
AM - I’ve had a few favorites over the years, but currently it’s bouldering.

BM - What would be your top route recommendations in the USA?
AMSerenity Crack in The Valley - it’s pretty much the only trad route I’ve ever done in the States, & I guess it’s a classic - if you like that kind of thing!
Most memorable sport route would have to be the Running Man at Red Rocks, Nevada. It’s long and pumpy, and a really great line.

BM - And abroad?
AM - Arapiles (Oz) was my favorite trad climbing venue of all time. I was there over 15 years ago & can still remember the route names! - Skink, Tannin, Little Thor - all classic. Fave sport climbing venue’s probly the Verdon - but it’s all about the era!

BM - What would be your top boulder problem recommendations in the USA?
AM - Just head for Yosemite! There’s so many proud lines on the most immaculate granite.
My personal favorites would be Elegant Gypsy and Bruce Lee, but there are loads of other cool problems that I haven’t climbed yet.

BM - And abroad?
AM - Swiss granite is yummy. My list of classics would have to include Bergsteigerkante and Sea World (both at Cresciano).

Last year I went to Castle Hill. The whole place was amazing. Favorite problem I climbed was Brad’s Arête. There was this crazy problem at Flock Hill called The Psychic Tea Lady which I tried one day & didn’t managed to figure out, & wasn’t able to get back on it coz the Disney Corporation fenced off the entire area to film The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe! Anyway, it’s such a cool problem - I’d fly halfway round the world just to get back on it!

I think Fontainbleau is great. Fave problem is Marie Rose - I do it every time I go there to get adapted to font style, but it’s always feels like a struggle.

BM - How often do you climb?
AM - When I’m on a trip I try to climb every other day, but I’ll take two rest days every so often if I feel the need.
When I’m working I go to the wall once a week & climb outside one day at the weekend if the weather’s decent.

BM - How often do you train and for how many hours per session?
AM - In an ideal week I do something every day except Friday, which is always a rest day - that’s the law! However, sometimes I’ll have a feeble session or wimp out completely coz I’m too tired. Climbing and power sessions are about 2 hours long, gym sessions 1 hour.

BM - Where do you train?
AM - There’s a gym at work so I go there twice a week & do circuits and a bit of cardio.
I have a session at Leeds Wall at least once a week, and then do a couple of sessions at home.

BM - What kind of training do you do?
AM - At the gym I do basic conditioning. Also I’m currently rehabbing a hamstring injury & trying to work on improving my leg power by doing jumps. At home I mainly focus on core & finger strength, using rings and a hang board. At the climbing wall I’ll have a fairly unstructured session, doing mileage and getting a fix. I also try to go running at least once a week.

BM - Your top training tip or tips?
AM - Don’t trash yourself at the weekend! I try to keep something back so I’ve got enough energy for productive training sessions during the week - it keeps me motivated.

BM - Your best achievement?
AM - Hopefully it hasn’t happened yet!

BM -Your goals for 2005?
AM - Train harder, get stronger, avoid injury. Also, I’m always keen to check out new (for me) areas, so I’d be psyched to take a trip to South Africa or the South East (USA). Closer to home though, I’d love to climb Terry this year (Caley).