Katy Whittaker

About

United Kingdom

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I began climbing before I can even remember, it is just one of those things I have always done. Coming from a keen climbing family my brother and I had no choice in the matter! I grew up in the Peak District and the gritstone was our playground. Most school holidays and weekends would be spent walking, scrambling and climbing in various parts of the UK.

My path through climbing has been pretty varied so far, from trad climbing on the grit, sea cliffs and mountains, bouldering and lead competitions, highballing and sport climbing. I could never choose one area to specialise in but my heart has always been in the mountains, this is where I love to be the most.

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This athlete has competed internationally

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Latest News & Articles

News posts and Articles featuring Katy

Fri Night Vid Wujastyk and Whittaker in Waterval Boven, South Africa

This week's Friday Night Video is an insight into the mindset of Mina Leslie-Wujastyk and Katy Whittaker, as they grapple with redpointing, injuries and core intensive laughter. They have travelled to the mecca of sport climbing in the southern he...

3 22 Apr, 2016

2014 The (climbing) year that was...

2014: The year of the Scottish Referendum, conflict in the Crimea and Gaza, aviation disasters, the Ebola epidemic, the first comet landing and the infamous "selfie". It was a year filled with a heady mix of excitement, tragedy and bewilderment. But what were...

17 31 Dec, 2014

News Mecca 8b+ for Katy Whittaker

Katy Whittaker has climbed Mecca - The Mid-Life Crisis 8b+ at Raven Tor - her second 8b+ redpoint and becoming only the second woman to climb this route after Mina Leslie Wujastyk's ascent in 2012.

4 9 Oct, 2014

News China Crisis, 8b+, for Katy Whittaker

Sheffield based Katy Whittaker has just had a very successful trip to Catalunya, Spain, where she became the 4th...

5 21 Mar, 2014

Newsflash 8b+ for Katy Whittaker

Reported on Neil Mawson's twitter feed is an ascent by british climber Katy Whittaker of the long and pumpy China Crisis (8b+) at...

3 18 Mar, 2014

Interview Katy Whittaker On Knockin On Heaven's Door

Katy Whittaker has recently climbed Knockin' On Heaven's Door, E8 6c, at Curbar. Katy...

7 26 Nov, 2013

News Katy Whittaker Climbs Walk On By at Curbar (7C+)

Katy Whittaker has made an impressive repeat of the classic gritstone wall problem of

7 29 Feb, 2012

News Katy Whittaker Repeats The Angel's Share

102 28 Feb, 2012

News Katy Whittaker - Limestone Dominatrix

48 9 Jul, 2009

News Katy Whittaker - Thumbelina Ground-Up

7 14 Apr, 2009

News Katy Whittaker - Braille Trail - E7 6c

26 2 Feb, 2009

Features End of Year: Female Achievements 2008

52 23 Dec, 2008

News Katy Whittaker - Master's Edge E7 6b / c

50 1 Dec, 2008

News Katy Whittaker Euro Road Trip - F8a

3 8 Sep, 2008

Features Katy Whittaker on Kaluza Klein - Grit E7

9 5 Mar, 2008

News Katy Whittaker - Grit E7

14 3 Mar, 2008

News 18-year-old Katy Whittaker Flashes Nosferatu E6

31 22 Feb, 2008

Videos

Sport climbing

Katy Whittaker climbing Snapdragon (29), Waterval Boven, South Africa

Katy Whittaker heads to Waterval Boven in South Africa to try the mighty Snapdragon (29 or 7c+).

Latest Reviews for Katy's Sponsors

Reviews from the UKC editorial team

OTS 2023 - Climbing Gear

At OTS 2023 in Liverpool we got a chance to check out some of the new climbing gear due to hit the shelves next year: a range of bouldering pads from Black Diamond; interesting harnesses from the likes of Mammut, Ocun and Wild Country; and DMM'...

24 21 Jun

Vertex - DMM's lightest ever technical axe

Filling an intermediate niche between DMM's existing ice axes, the Vertex is technically capable on lower grade climbs, yet not too souped-up for walking terrain. Dan Bailey is smitten by this versatile, modular lightweight.

14 21 Feb

UKC / UKH Gear of the Year 2022

Our hard working review team get through a mountain of kit every year. Amongst it all some items stand out from the crowd, and after much deliberation we've managed to boil it down to a selection of favourites. So here it is, our Gear of the Year 2022.

27 Dec, 2022

If it Ain't Broke - Gear that Goes On and On

In these days of growing environmental concern and shrinking budgets, we can't all be constantly buying brand...

46 14 Nov, 2022

OTS Trade Show Reports

For the first time since the pandemic UKC and UKH have attended an actual, real life trade show, OTS in Liverpool. Here are the...

8 4 Aug, 2022

Five Ten NIAD Moccasym

With the new NIAD Moccasym, Five Ten have done away with the things that made the original so popular, laments Rob Greenwood.

10 3 Jun, 2022

DMM Spire and Spire Tech axes

Light yet solid; simple but effective - DMM's new Spire walking axe and Spire Tech mountaineering axe may not win awards for...

18 10 Mar, 2022

Latest News from Katy's Sponsors

Announcements direct from manufacturers

Write a review, win £100 DMM kit!

We want your help to populate our product reviews with your experience in using them, and you could win £100 of DMM kit in return.

26 Sep

Arc'teryx Climbing Academy promises its biggest event yet in 2023

The Arc'teryx Academy brings its hugely successful Arc'teryx Climbing Academy event to the Lake District for a third time, with a handful of new additions to make 2023 its biggest year yet.

2 Mar