On May 9, 2025, Anak Verhoeven announced her redpoint of Rainshadow (9a) in Malham Cove, Yorkshire. Now she shares her experience and releases a film about her ascent.
Raindogs and Rainshadow
Rainshadow in the Lake District was built in 2003 by Steve mcclure and is the impressive extension of Raindogs, a well-known 8a. It was followed by 13 further ascents (including that of Verhoeven) by, among others, Adam Ondra, Ben Moon and Will Bosi.
First visit to Malham Cove
During their stay in the Lake district for the Kendal Mountain Festival in November 2024, Verhoeven visited together with Neil Gresham Malham Cove. After a successful flash of Raindogs (8a), the entry point to the well-known and more difficult extension of the route, she decided to try some of the moves. It quickly became clear that this project would be worth another trip to Malham Cove.
Come back in the spring, Rainshadow hasn't been climbed by a woman yet.
First Female Ascent by Rainshadow
In spring 2025, Verhoeven She returned to the Lake District to climb Rainshadow. She spent several weeks planning the route until an underhand grip on the crux forced her to slow down, injuring her finger joint.
Another concern for Anak was the risk of injury in the event of a fall. In 2017, climber Mina Leslie-Wujastyk had suffered a nasty head injury on Rainshadow, and she didn't want to repeat that. Verhoeven tested the potential fall after the crux with her father, who she knew would provide a soft catch.
So, after all uncertainties had been eliminated, she started to project all the hard moves and string them together.
Anak attempted a climb five times. And the fifth attempt was finally successful.
I felt a wave of relief. How special it feels to have climbed such a historic route!
Anak Verhoeven
For her, the 9a rating is fitting. "The boulder-like crux is physically demanding and mentally challenging at the same time. The headwall comes directly afterward and—again!—involves many underhand grips, after having climbed them sufficiently in the crux shortly before. I think the route is outstanding."
You can find Anak’s film about the climb here:
You might be interested in:
- Is 47-year-old Steve McClures climbing an 9a in seven days?
- Adam Ondra flashes risky trad route Lexicon E11 in the Lake District
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Credits: Pictures: Neil Gresham