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Name: Katherine Schirrmacher
DOB: 1974
Interview: Moon Climbing / January 2011
Moon Climbing - When and where did you start climbing?
Katherine - At Leeds University some 20 years ago!
Moon Climbing - Do you have a favorite style of climbing (traditional, sport, bouldering etc)?
Katherine - I like all types of climbing – generally I do whatever I’m psyched for – variety keeps me motivated
Moon Climbing - You are stuck on a desert island with just one route and one boulder. Which ones would you choose and why?
Katherine - The boulder would have to be the Midnight Lighting block in Yosemite. It would keep me busy and the sand would probably be a good landing. As for the route, it would have to be a long one in the Verdon – it wouldn’t really matter which one as they are all good – but something with a few pitches that are at my limit.
Moon Climbing - Who is your climbing hero or inspiration and why?
Katherine - Lynn Hill – enough said.
Moon Climbing - How often do you climb?
Katherine - Not nearly enough! Before having a baby it was 3 to 4 times a week, now it’s whatever I can scrape together. I imagine I will have to change how I climb, having lots of short sessions.
Moon Climbing - Where and how often do you train and for how many hours per week?
Katherine - This is a question that’s foremost on my mind at the moment! Currently I ‘train’ (it’s more like hauling myself up the wall at the moment) at the Foundry and Climbing Works in Sheffield. But I am going to have to start doing a lot more at home (finger board, body conditioning etc) as I have so little time. It’s a case of being super organised I guess.
Moon Climbing - What kind of training do you do?
Katherine - I normally try and train according to the types of climbing goals I have. Currently trying to get back in shape post baby it’s about volume and a whole range of climbing movements. The next stage will be building up my shoulder strength and fingers again. I’ve also started pilates, which I’m sure has a lot of relevance to climbing – hopefully I’ll get my abs back soon!
Moon Climbing - Your top training tip or tips?
Katherine - Fingers – are they strong enough? It’s often the weak link in the chain for any climber. I use finger and campus boards to strengthen these.
Moon Climbing - The climbing achievement you are most proud of and why?
Katherine - Climbing Balance it Is E7 6c at Burbage South. The climbing on it is simply incredible and I found it a very rewarding experience.
Moon Climbing - What is your opinion on competitions? Good, bad or indifferent?
Katherine - I have competed on the British Team in the past and overall enjoyed them. Competitions feature amongst my best and worst climbing experiences! Learning how to focus and perform at a given moment in time is a real skill. For me this challenge was as interesting as any other aspect of climbing. But my heart is with outdoor climbing – that’s the reason I got into the sport into the first place.
Moon Climbing - Your goals for 2011?
Katherine - To regain some semblance of fitness and my previous body shape! I had my baby Vanessa late 2010 and started climbing again when she was about 4 months old. I am unsure what I can expect from myself this year but we have trips to the south of France, Lundy and Colorado planned.
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