Achievements

Jesse Duftons achievements are nothing short of mind-blowing. He is a world-renowned inspirational speaker. He empowers audiences by redefining the limits of human resilience. As a blind rock climber, he leads climbs entirely by touch and the support of his climbing partner at the base of the cliff. He famously made history on the Old Man of Hoy. He is a decorated competition climber for the GB Paraclimbing team.

Beyond the rock, he holds a PhD in Computational Chemistry and currently holds a role as a successful patent specialist in a clean energy company.

A picture of Molly and Jesse on top of the Old Man of Hoy with arms out stretched. There is a banner across the top of the picture with the guinness world records logo and record holder written next to it.

Guinness World Record Holder

First blind person to lead a climb of Old Man of Hoy

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First Ascents in Greenland

The first blind person to establish first ascents in Greenland. Climbing two previously unclimbed mountains in winter alpine style, naming them Boughfell and Sue’s Spire. The routes established were:

  • First Ascent Katalice (1,100m, AD) on Boughfell, Stauning Alps, Greenland
  • First Ascent Sequoia Spire Route (800m, PD) on Sue’s Spire, Stauning Alps, Greenland
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First Ascents in Morocco

The first blind person to establish a first ascent of a mountain trad route in the Moroccan Anti Atlas mountains 2023.

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Notable trad on-sight leads:

  • Howling Gale E3 6a, St Govens East, Pembroke, Wales
  • The Fox 5.10d, Calico Basin, Red Rock, USA
  • International E3 5c, Kilt Rock, Isle of Skye, Scotland
  • Illusion Dweller 5.10b, Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree
  • Destiny E2/3 5c, St Patrick’s Buttress, Lundy
  • Forked Lightning Crack E2 5c, Heptonstall, Yorkshire
  • Auricle E2 5c, Bamford, Peak District
  • Elder Crack E2 5b, Curbar, Peak District
  • The Old Man of Hoy E1 5b (6 pitches), Orkney Islands, Scotland
  • Left Unconquerable E1 5b, Stanage, Peak District
  • Flying Buttress Direct E1 5b, Stanage, Peak District
  • Sloth HVS 5a, The Roaches, Peak District
  • And many more…..
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Jesse climbing the Sentinal E2 5b, Peak District, UK. The picture shows 3 large prows of rock jutting out stacked against each other. Jesse is hanging on with both hands on the hold from the further prow. He has gear placed by his waist and rock above his head. The next moves look steep and overhung. There are grey clouds in the sky and green trees below him glistening in the sun.

Other climbing disciplines:

  • Alpine climbing, leading up to AD+ on the Grand Fourche, Chamonix
  • Ice Climbing, leading up to WI5 (single pitch) Gol, Hemsedal, Norway
  • Sport Climbing, redpointing 7a+ outside
  • GB Paraclimbing team member in the B1 category. Competed in numerous IFSC sport climbing competitions, winning 3 international medals to date.
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“Thanks to everyone who has supported me in achieving all the above!”

More of Jesse Duftons achievements can be found within his blog posts.