Jennifer Wood ticks Climb for Life (9a)

Jennifer Wood, who sent four 8c’s last year, has completed Climb For Life (9a) in Custonaci and Ice King (8c) in Kilnsey.

Can you tell us more about the ascent and what went into completing it?
I first tried the route back in 2024 to see if I would enjoy a harder project and to be honest while I was having fun I was no where near the level and realised I’d have to get a lot stronger and fitter for the route. I spent 2025 addressing this in the UK, focusing my efforts on the steepest climbs at Kilnsey and went back Oct 2025 and felt much more worthy of being on a route of that grade. Another short trip in March and I’d managed the route in 2 halves despite some tricky conditions. So back in May for a week to try and dispatch but I kinda buckled under the pressure I’d put on myself, I was a nervous wreck. I left having got very close but also just mentally drained. We snuck away for a 4 day trip at the end of May and I think this just took the pressure off just enough to get it done.

So how many sessions did it take in total and what about the 8c you just sent?
Hmm didn’t keep track aha because I dread to think how expensive it was as a project 🤣 But I think 6 trips of 6-10 days + the final 4 day one. Some of the trips I had to climb other stuff as well just to stay sane. Climb for life is in Custonaci about 20 mins from San Vito lo Capo. I really liked it for a project spot as it was super peaceful so it felt easy to switch off once the climbing was done for the day.

The 8c I did was kinda my early season goal to get back acclimatised to the Kilnsey roof ready for the big goal of the season :) happy to get it done in 3 sessions. Just gotta patiently wait for the roof to dry out now !