White Spider prides itself on getting in world class guest route setters on a regular basis. This interview with Sam Whittaker marks the first in a series of articles that we hope will help inspire you in your climbing, and help you get to know the people behind the routes & problems here at White Spider! We hope you enjoy them… 

 

Name: Sam Whittaker 

 

Age: 36

 

Favourite Climbing Music: Techno , Adam Beyer or Richie Hawtin.

 

Favourite Crag Food?: Protein bar and box of salad.

 

How did you first get into climbing?: Going out to crag with my dad and his mates.

How long have you been climbing?: 22 years

 

What is your proudest achievement in climbing?: Appointment with Death E9 (Wimberry Rocks) or climbing 8c!

 

What's your favorite problem/route you've ever done? Bat Route (8c, Malham) was my favourite because of the process of getting fit enough and experienced enough to climb it. 

Where is your favourite crag?:  Malham

 

If you could give someone one piece of advice for their climbing, what would it be?: Try hard and enjoy all aspects of climbing.

 

Who or what inspires you, and where do you get your motivation from?: I just love climbing and I stay super keen by mixing it up a lot, by switching my focus from bouldering to sport climbing and then Trad

 

If you hadn't got into climbing, what do you think you'd be doing instead?: Techno DJ?!
 
 

How long have you been route setting?: 15 years 

 

What do you love most about setting?:  Creating good problems that people enjoy climbing on 

 

What's coming up next for you?: I'm looking forward to a winter's training and bouldering on the grit, followed by a trip to the States in the spring. I've also got a few DJ gigs coming up in November and December including the climbing works 7th birthday party. It's going to be a big night.

 

 

Sponsors?: 

 

 

 

Thanks Sam! You can check out the new problems in our BOULDER CAVE that Sam set with Yann Genoux, NOW!