Tom Proctor dies

by Al Evans Tom Proctor, one of the most influential of the Peak District climbers of the 60?s and 70?s, died lastweekend after a long illness. He first hit the headlines with a series of breakthrough routes at Stoney Middleton including Our Father (E4 6b; his party piece was soloing it in Hushpuppies), Lucy Simmons, Pickpocket, Wee Doris and free ascents of old aid routes like Dies Irae , Scoop Wall, Kellog and Kink.Other major routes include Mortlocks Arete in Cheedale and Boothill and Tom Thumb on Cratcliffe Tor. Many will have seen his scarier routes such as Green Death (E5 6b) at Millstone, which still sees few ascents. Tom went on to contribute major routes throughout the next decade straying as far afield as Cornwall with Yankee Doodle and Anglesey with Deygo. A gentle – yet legendarily strong -and modest man, Tom was a statesman of Peak District climbing.

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