Yesterday evening was a great day for Maltese climbing as young, 16 year old newcomer to the sport Zack Xuereb redpointed his hardest route yet, Tropical Hurricane 8a+ at Wied Babu’s Smoothies Cave.  Zack’s progress in the sport has been incredible.  He started climbing just over a year ago and has progressed quickly through the grades.  To put things into perspective, to my knowledge only 4 Maltese climbers have climbed 8a routes – ever!  These are veterans Jeffrey Camilleri and James Herrera, newcomer Kenneth Abela who had also progressed at an incredible rate but who is no longer active anymore, and Zack.  That’s it.    Given Zack’s youth and incredible levels of dedication and motivation the sky is the limit in terms of what he can achieve in future.   The MCC is in discussion with him to see how the club can assist him in future.  Thanks also to the guys who have been climbing with him and mentoring him, including I believe the above-mentioned gentlemen (Jeff and James) and the rest of the bunch who regularly climb with him.

Prosit Zack!!