Sam Prior
YEARS CLIMBING
Since 2010
LOCAL CRAG
Forest Rock, Leicestershire
Favourite Climbing Destination
Often it's the last place I've visited! I think the most special place I've climbed is Fontainebleau though, it doesn't really suit me all that well but when I climb hard boulders there it always just seems a bit more special. You need a mixture of skills to get up the boulders and even easier ones feel like a bit more of an achievement than other areas I visit. I think it's the only climbing destination I would continue to visit even if I wasn't a climber anymore.
Highlights
Best Climbing Experience
I'm lucky in that I feel I have so many amazing experiences to choose from, I may think of a better one later but for now the day I did The Ace at Stanage was very special. My brother had come out with me and it was so foggy that you couldn't make out Deliverance just down the hill. It gave an otherworldly feeling like being in a little Colosseum, hitting the jug is also supremely satisfying.
Favourite Moon Climbing Product
The Samurai Shorts, I think I've been wearing them in 99% of my sends indoors and outdoors for years.
Favourite MoonBoard Problem
Maybe Bunny on the 2016 set or Something Pure on the 2024.
What Is It About Climbing You Love
Climbing has always felt really fair to me. As a kid I spent a lot of hours practicing various sports or playing instruments and my progression was slow or sometimes even non-existent. In climbing if you put the time in you will improve, it really rewards just turning up. As someone who has always been pretty good at turning up but very light on actual talent I really appreciate that.
Career Highlights
Serenata 8C
Gecko Assis 8B+
Dandelion Mind 8B+
Karma 8A!
When Not Climbing You Like to
Play guitar very badly, record my podcast, nerdy weekends with mates or do whatever my toddler orders me to do.