by Mick Ryan Rich Simpson on Action Direct – 9a Twenty-three year old climber Richard Simpson, ascensionist of cutting edge sport climbs such as Actione Directe and El Muerte, both Fr9a, has announced his retirement from climbing at the UKClimbing.com forums. Hopefully just a temporary hiatus from this very talented climber. Rich told us: “It would be right to say I have climbed very little in the last four or so months, My passion for climbing has not been the same since I climbed Action Directe in October 2005. Nevertheless, I pushed on, which accumulated in a first ascent of El Muerte at Easter time this year. Since this point, I have climbed very little. Unfortunately for me I have lost all motivation to climb. I now thoroughly enjoy boxing and running and have significant goals in both. Alongside, I have also returned to education, with the hope of pursuing my chosen career outside of climbing. Consequently, I have neither the time, nor the motivation to climb. Although it would be right to say I have occasionally been seen checking out the new climbing wall and pottering around with my girlfriend/friends who still climb.” You can read an interview with Rich Simpson at the Ben Moon´s website Moonclimbing.com
