Jim Pope

Name: Jim Pope

D.O.B: 24/12/1998

Hometown: London

Sport: Climbing

I started climbing around the age of 6 in the Lake District with my parents and soon became hooked. Growing up in London the majority of my early years climbing was indoors, and I got into competitions early on.

I have been a member of the GB team for over 10 years now, competing in both lead and boulder events. Although competitions take up the most of my time, I’m a passionate rock climber, and pride myself on ‘doing everything’ from new boulder first ascents, to trad on sighting and alpine multi-pitches.

Get to know Jim

Tell us about your successes so far?

In competitions I have made World Cup semi finals in both lead and boulder. Lead is my main discipline, where I have been 3 time national champion, finished 6th at the European Championships and top 10 in a lead World Cup. Outdoors I have bouldered 8B+, sport climbed 8c+ and trad climbed E10.

What are you working on? What are your goals for the future?

Currently I’m training for the Olympic qualification series in 2024 which will be an opportunity to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games. Beyond that I want to keep exploring new climbing areas for first ascents and pushing myself across all disciplines.

Why do you climb? What do you love about climbing?

I just really enjoy the climbing itself. The feeling of the movement, days out cragging with friends, and using it as a way to push and develop myself as a person outside of sport.

Which SCARPA shoe is your favourite?

I’m a big fan of slip on shoes, so for me the Instinct Slipper is up there. I love the downturned stiff edge for small feet outdoors and steep climbing.

Indoors it has to be the Drago LV. Starting to use this shoe was a bit of a hack for me, they fit me really well, and allow the foot to bend in a different way to any other shoe I’ve used which is perfect for standing on volumes and poor feet.

Tell us about your best day climbing?

I think my best day climbing was probably onsighting The Fish on the Marmolada. It’s a route I’ve wanted to do for a long time so to do it in that style felt incredible. Plus it was a full valet day of climbing taking around 18 hours from waking up to finishing the route.