Eliot Stephens FA’s Zircon (8C)

Eliot Stephens, with four 8C’s under his belt, has done the First Ascent of Zircon (8C) in Oxwich Bay. ”The crystal project. Several days over a few years, and 4 sessions this year. Some of the smallest crimps I've held, up a slightly overhanging wall. A level up. Onwards to the next local ones.”

Can you tell us more about the FA and the process behind?Found this one tough, even though I’m not sure it’s exactly my style. It’s really basic crimp climbing, small boxes and small moves. But the holds are so bad you only have to get one wrong to mess you up. And a handful of goes holding the crux crimp is enough to end a session. I tried it in 2022 and 2023 but just didn’t make much progress so sacked it off.

It was actually a really nice process, feeling a bit closer each session but just having to stop because of skin. I tried climbing in tape but the holds were just too small. The only negative was after one session I’d have to climb in tape for a week.