We interviewed Gaz Parry when he was here to set for the BMC YCS 2014 at White Spider, and here's what he told us:

 

Name: Gaz Parry
Age: 40

Favourite Climbing Music?: None really, I like to be in my own place rather than someone else's. If music is on at the wall I prefer higher tempo psyche music rather than Mozart…nothing wrong with him though.

 

Favourite Crag Food?: 
Anything to snack on, bread’n’cheese, nuts, dark choc, oranges, apples’n’bananas.

 

How did you first get into climbing?: 
Used to do a lot of walking and scrambling with my dad. So it was just a natural progression.

 

How long have you been climbing?: 
Since I was 12. 

 

What is your proudest achievement in climbing?: Winning Arco Rock Masters 

 

What’s your favourite problem/route you've ever done?: 
Usually the last one, I just love climbing and moves!

 

Why was it so good?: 
My last route was an 8a onsight yesterday. Millennium at Terradets. Great moves and I felt on good form.

 

Where is your favourite crag- In UK?:  
Kilnsey or Goredale   

 

Outside of the UK?: 
Too many to mention!

 

If you could give someone one piece of advice for climbing, what would it be?: 
Don't let go! Too many people give up, drop off or climb down. Fall off going up!!

 

Who or what inspires you, and where do you get your motivation from?: 
People climbing better than me, and new and interesting moves, no matter what the grade.

 

If you hadn't got into climbing, what do you think you'd be doing instead?: 
Still something with the outdoors. I used to run mountain marathons and do Taekwondo as a kid.

 

How long have you been route setting?: 
Too long 

 

What do you love most about setting?: 
Watching people climb on my problems and have fun.

 

Where do you get your inspiration for route setting?: 
The holds are the inspiration for the moves, good holds = good blocs.

 

What's coming up next for you?: 
A few more days in Spain then back to set Blokfest at Nottingham for the 19th Jan. It’s always on the go though with Blokfest, setting, coaching, climbing, GB Boulder team, hold and clothing sales and my new role with the Mountain Boot Company.

 

Sponsors: Scarpa, Edelweiss, Grivel, Nihil Clothing 

 

website www.gazparryclimbing.com