Sean Bailey (18) - the new superstar

Sean Bailey has had some amazing days in Red River Gorges, having done two 8c+ on his fourth go, out of one was the former 9a, Golden Ticket. "So excited to do this rig. Sent it on my 4th try too! It went together faster than any other of the grade." The 18 year old has also onsighted his first two 8b's as well as God's Own Stone 8b (+) and he goes to #4 in the Junior ranking game. In the last Youth World Champion, Sean was #6 after having won both the qualification and the semi. (c) Rudy Ruana who is his mentor and enabler. Sean's coach is Tyson Schoene. " I've been focused on competition climbing for years, and trained solely for that. Because of that I haven't gotten the chance to climb outside a lot and although there is amazing rock around Seattle there isn't the same high density of difficult climbs so I don't get to test myself very often. This summer I was training really hard for the youth worlds and didn't get a chance to take many trips. I only climbed at my local crag about once a week, so this trip has been surreal. There are so many amazing and difficult lines that are 10 minute walks from each other. Although I had thought on my next big trip I would see the training pay off, I had no idea it would be to this extent. I think this trip is a convergence of mental and physical breakthroughs; not only am I stronger than I have ever been, but I have an understanding of what I'm capable of.