Hamish McArthur sends Hunger F9a
- Tuesday 20th September 2022
Hamish McArthur has made the fourth ascent of Hunger (F9a) at the Anvil, Loch Goil.
Originally established by Malc Smith back in 2010, Hunger was Scotland’s first F9a. Will Bosi and Dave MacLeod made the second and third ascents respectively.
Based on his comments after his ascent, it seems that the remote location of the Anvil Stone was the perfect solution for Hamish to re-charge his batteries after the competition season, “For me, this trip to the Anvil was a marker that the very long competition season was finally coming to an end. I was tired of having to perform and felt the need to disappear into the woods for a few days.”
McArthur describes the setting and the route saying, “Both the place we camped and the route itself were beyond beautiful. The Anvil is this perfect 60-degree overhanging sheet of rock hiding itself in the forest by Loch Goil. It's hard not to be inspired when looking up, especially as Hunger follows the perfect line straight up the middle of the overhang.”
It didn’t take McArthur long to dispatch Hunger it seems as he describes, “We arrived late afternoon on day 1, and climbed into the night with head torches. After a questionable night sleep suspended from tree, and a hearty bowl of Scottish oats I was ready to start redpointing. Three times that morning I climbed through the first crux smoothly, and each time I dropped the 2nd crux by a hair. I unwillingly made myself rest for a good few hours, then in early afternoon did some star-jumps and prepared for the send. I set off much more relaxed this time, smiling on the rests and enjoying the anticipation of once again arriving at the 2nd crux. I told myself to squeeze harder, and thankfully I wanted it enough to scream my way through the hardest moves on me 4th redpoint attempt.”
The perfect sign-off for the season then before training starts again in earnest, “The route was a joy to climb, and most importantly I feel refreshed and ready to put my head down to get strong over the winter.”