White Lightning 9a by Cameron Hörst (19)

Cameron Hörst, the oldest son to training guru Eric, has done his second 9a, White Lightning in Wild Iris. "The climb is a link up of a 8b+ called “Heart Full of Ghosts” into the main crux “Moonshine” which is the 9a I did last year. So the first crux is like a v10/11 mono crux that leads you into the main crux (of moonshine) which is a hard v12!"

How were you able to train during the lockdown and what about continuing your football career?
I have a really extensive home gym that consists of a large bouldering spray wall, numerous hangboards, a campus board, and a treadwall. So, I was quite well off training wise during the lockdown (thankfully).

I played football through school my whole life until graduation. I started on the varsity team by the time I was in 10th grade (sophomore). By the time I was in 12th grade (senior year) I was the captain of the team and voted MVP by the end of the season. I had the opportunity to play football in college at small universities but decided to take time off of school to peruse climbing. There is no chance of me continuing, climbing is my real passion and I am focused on that!

(c) Eric Hörst, who also comments, "I was present to see both of my sons send their hardest-ever routes. Younger brother Jonathan (17) climbed 8c just an hour before Cameron sent his 9a. A proud day for coach Horst!"

Noteworthy is that Cameron did his first 8b+, God's Own Stone, at age eleven, and Jonathan did it when he was just ten years old. As can be seen from their scorecard, later they have both focused on doing insights and building a wide grade pyramid which goes in line with the training philosophy by their father.