David Fitzgerald FA’s Last Line of Defence (8C+)

David Fitzgerald, with one 8C+ under his belt, reports on Instagram that he has made the first ascent of Last Line of Defence (8C+) in Yosemite (CA), which adds a low start to The Shield (8A). The 30-year-old started climbing at age 18, and within six months, he had done his first 7C; three years later, in 2016, he did his first 8B+, which was also the year he checked the low start project for the first time. (c) Zoe Canin

"This Winter, after all these years, I finally dug in. Instant obsession. I quickly found myself locking antlers with the crux feature, a pair of narrow, tendonitis-inducing pinches. The two hardest moves are centered around this feature: an intense toe hook release and a spectre-esque move out left. Pull too hard and I’d often end up in a heap on the ground, knuckles gushing. Over the season, I learned to work with the feature and not against it, to move around it and not through it. A timeless Valley lesson.

Back in March, I managed to break through into the stand, only to tragically wet-fire off the topout crimps after a badly-timed downpour. Limped away with a bruised heel/ego, but thankfully nothing worse. It then held its ground for another 6 sessions until I eventually wore it down; the extra fight making it feel all the more memorable. Feels like the most complex section of rock I’ve ever linked and best thing I’ve ever climbed!"