Tom Randall
Biggest achievements:
- Century Crack 5.14
- Pura Pura 5.14
- Black Mamba 5.14
- Cobra Crack 5.14
- The Kraken V13
- Most routes soloed in a day (550)
- Brown & Whillans - speed record (under 3 hours)
At what age and how did you start climbing?
I started climbing at about sixteen thanks to a mate at school. He was really into trad climbing and talked me into entering a local climbing competition for fun. In the end I did much better than I expected, and that was exactly the encouragement I needed!
You've been climbing for many years, what motivates you to train, to work projects, to travel?
I think it's probably the variety of experiences I can have through climbing (it's almost impossible to get bored), and also the incredible people I meet through this sport I like that there are several "ways" of climbing all the way from indoor vs. outdoor and bouldering, through sport and trad climbing to big wall. The fact that I can combine it with travelling all over the world is also really special, because even if I weren't a climber I'd definitely travel a lot.
What are you enjoying most right now?
Crack climbing is still what I enjoy most, mainly because it's really satisfying to do something I'm good at. I regularly get to experience what it's like to operate at the limit of my physical, mental and technical abilities, and there's really no barrier of age or place.
Who do you think is the crack climber of the century? (you can't say yourself or Pete)
Haha, I wanted to say Pete! But I think it will probably be Alex Honnold, because he's one of the most technical climbers and his tick list of top crack climbs isn't as big as mine and Pete's, because he hasn't spent a lot of time projecting cracks!
Do you think crack climbing is on the rise? Is it becoming a more popular style of climbing?
Yes, definitely!! Actually I think one of the biggest influences on the popularity of crack climbing is the Wideboyz channel on YouTube, and then the community of other crack-obsessed climbers who have started producing much more content over the last five years and inspiring others.
Together with Anna Hazelnutt you were part of a team that created a new climbing area in Thailand. Where do you think the hidden climbing potential is? I mean a country.
I think Asia and South America probably have the biggest untapped potential for climbing. It's a bit harder to get there, flights are more expensive, the language barrier is more noticeable and climbing culture is less developed in these areas. Personally I'd like to explore South America next, especially Chile.
Do you think climbing outdoors is one of the most accessible sports even for developing countries?
I don't think so. Honestly, I think climbing is fairly expensive, even if you're going bouldering. The price of a pair of shoes and a crash pad (which is the absolute minimum) is a lot of money in economically less developed countries.
What do you think about climbing being an Olympic sport? Does it have only a positive effect?
I think everything has its pros and cons. I like that the Olympics give the sport visibility and bring in more funding. It's also great for showcasing the sport's idols and inspiring the next generations. When it comes to contracts, monetising the sport can be complicated and the changes are often very fast, which can lead to a temporary loss of cultural values and ideals in the sport. In the long run, though, I think it's a good thing.
When will we see you in Adršpach again?
No idea! Probably not until you invite me or Pete on a trip!
Which Tendon rope is your favourite and why?
Ever since I started using Tendon ropes, I've been fascinated by their properties. In my experience it's almost impossible to find a rope with good handling and knotability that also has great durability. I found that combination in the Master Pro 9.2, which I used for several weeks while working on what I consider, from a sport point of view, the hardest crack route on sharp granite in Norway, called "Recovery Drink" (8c). I checked the rope pretty much every day, expecting some damage, but I never found any.