Steve McClure: sport climber

Age: 44

Brought up on the North York Moors, and with both parents keen climbers there was no escape from the sport. Climbing from the moment he could walk, his first extreme was at 11, his first E3 at 13 and first E5 at 16. With a traditional background, and onsight ascents up to E8 and E11 headpoint. He has since broadened his interest and excelled in sport climbing, with the hardest sport route in the UK at 9a+, numerous new routes at the grade of 9a and many onsights at 8b+. You might also find him picking his way up an ice field in the Alps or sleeping in a portaledge on a 1,000m wall in Greenland. Despite this he is still weak, but has mastered the art of the cunning…

In 2014, Steve made the first British on sight of Strawberries (E7 6b) - the 30-year-old Ron Fawcett testpiece at Tremadog, North Wales.  

Steve says: “Rock climbing: the best sport in the world. It’s easy to take it all for granted and the continual work of the BMC in negotiating and securing access is essential.  The cliffs and beautiful spaces that we enjoy so much are not ours. It’s not our right to be there, it’s a privilege.”

Find out more about Steve at www.steve-mcclure.com

James McHaffie: trad climber

Age: 33

James, known as Caff, grew up in Keswick in the Lake District, the son of Ray McHaffie, a prolific climber and renowned upland footpath builder. Caff embraced the outdoor lifestyle fully in the Lakes onsighting routes such 

as Camouflage E7 6b on Cam Crags, Flattery E7 6b on Flat Crag and De Quincy E7 6b on Bowderstone Crag as well as soloing many of the easier extremes. In 2002 he moved to Wales to study environmental science and continue in a similar vein. Highlights

 of the last few years were climbing Careless Torque a few times, Longhope, Big Bang, the first ascent of the Meltdown and lots of trad climbs.

In 2014, Caff spent seven days free climbing the Salathé Wall on El Capitan, Yosemite. In June, Caff soloed 100 Extreme climbs in one day, racking up an incredible total of 160 E points and 2,976m of rock climbing. Possibly the biggest day out in UK climbing history.

Caff says: “I think the BMC are great for a huge number of reasons from great insurance, accessing cliffs when Britain went mental over foot & mouth and they even employ people like Niall Grimes....”

Find out more about Caff at www.jamesmchaffie.com

Calum Muskett: alpine climber

Calum says: "The BMC's travel insurance gives me peace of mind every time I head to the Alps or further afield on a climbing trip allowing me to concentrate on my climbing and having a fun time."

Molly Thompson-Smith: competition climber

Age: 17

Molly Thompson Smith is the current Youth A and Senior female British Lead Climbing Champion as well as captain of the British junior lead team. She is an all-round climber and member of the junior lead and bouldering teams as well as the senior lead team.

Her performances in international lead events in recent years have seen her take 7th place in the 2013 World Youth Championships in Canada ans 18th in 2014. In 2014, she finished season ranked 1st in the World and Europe for her age category, having won gold in the European Youth Cup and silver in the European Youth Championships. In her first complete season in the GB Senior Lead Team, Molly made the semis of a senior World Cup event in Kranj and came brilliant 20th place, beating some noteable climbers en route.

Molly says: “The BMC has allowed me to pursue my dreams of testing myself against the best in the climbing world in some of the most beautiful places and locations on the globe. The organisation itself inspires both young and old and is so supportive in the way that it makes you feel special and appreciated.”

Keep up with Molly at twitter.com/Mollytheclimber

Follow Molly on Twitter: @Mollytheclimber