First 8a in 50 years - Vid’ma - was like a whole life
Valentyn Shvydkyy has done Vid`ma 8a in 2019. He climbed 8a at age 50 for the first time. It could have happen a few years earlier, as he thinks, if only.... what? I started climbing in Simeiz. I went there for holiday and for working in a children camp. All along, I saw climbers on the rocks there. I was admired by their courage. Definitely, I couldn't have been one of them. No way! But finally we ran out of all excursions there except 2 of them: diving and climbing. I would have chosen rather diving, but was persuaded to try climbing. So, we had a master-class by Wedeenmeer. He introduced himself at once: Andrew - Twice World Champion. He did his job excellent. I climbed everything in my running shoes. And then we rappelled from 45 meters. It was amazing. I had a feeling that I was awesome, that I could climb almost like him. Maybe, a little bit worse due to a lack of experience. We wanted more. The next day we went to Nikita crag. At the entrance I saw the route Luntik (...