Sarah Cullen

Sarah Cullen first started climbing at fifteen, with her best friend, Rebekah Bibby. They borrowed a rope, and sling and a karabiner to get started at Harrison's Rocks. Rebekah had done a bit of climbing at school, so knew how to tie a knot around their waists, and how to set up a simple belay at the top of the rocks. Using a primitive method of belaying* by simply holding the rope around their waists, they were soon climbing some difficult routes. They met local climbers at The Rocks who showed them the way, and climbing soon became a way of life.

*Belaying means holding the rope for your climbing partner

Since then Sarah has climbed all over the country, and many places in the rest of the world, including New Zealand, Spain, Majorca, Belgium and the United States. Lots of trips to the South of France have served her with fantastic holiday opportunities along with vast amounts of limestone rock and great company (not forgetting copious amounts of red wine, and superb food).

Climbing has enriched Sarah's life meeting a wide circle of friends, and she was even lucky enough to go climbing with Chris Bonington in the Lake District last summer.

Over the years Sarah has become a qualified instructor in order to better pass on her passion for the sport to those keen to get started. Sarah is planning to attempt the Old Man of Hoy soon.

This painting of the Old Man of Hoy is by Jim Curran The Old Man of Hoy is a sandstone rock stack rising close to the sea about 450 feet high, and is considered to challenge the most experienced climbers. The first successful ascent was televised in 1966 and featured Sir Chris Bonington, along with Tom Patey and Rusty Baillie. Since then, The Old Man of Hoy has become famous around the world as a "must do" climb. Modern techniques and equipment, however, have made the challenge available to slightly less experienced climbers and it has now been conquered many times. As the Old Man of Hoy is susceptible to erosion and takes an annual battering from the winter elements, nobody knows how much longer it will stand before being claimed by the sea.

Now a mother of two girls, Sarah is a keen runner and in the last three years has completed three marathons. She loves to get muddy on her mountain bike when she is not teaching climbing.

Sarah is an active member, on behalf of the British Mountaineering Council, in the management and upkeep of Harrison's Rocks, where she bases her courses. Great opportunities to have a second chance for those who missed out at school, her courses also provide a great team building day out for colleagues.

 

 

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"Consider what you want to do in relation to what you are capable of doing. Climbing is, above all, a matter of integrity."
— Gaston Rébuffat

"The events of the past day have proven to me that I am wholly alive, and that no matter what transpires from here on in, I have truly lived."
— Anonymous climber