Climber in a blue jacket navigating a large, rugged rock formation on a steep, rocky hillside under a cloudy sky.

The Lake District has played a central role in Jim Pope's journey as a climber. He first started climbing in the Lake District at the age of 6 and has been hooked ever since.

He has been a member of Team GB for over 10 years, competing in lead and boulder events. Jim prides himself on ‘doing everything’ from bouldering first ascents, to trad on-sighting and alpine multi-pitches. 

Volcanic rocks scatter the central fells and valleys, sandwiched between the Triassic sandstone of the north and the Carboniferous limestone hidden throughout the South Lakes. The Lake District has it all, and it's all worth savouring. There's No Place Like Home, created by Jim Pope and his friends Sam Pratt and Sam Lawson, is an ode to this. Released in May on our YouTube channel, this film highlights Jim's favourite bouldering spots in the Lake District and showcases his climbing.

Photographer Sam Pratt sat down with us to recount the time he, Jim and Sam spent at some of their favourite Lakes bouldering venues.

In Sam's words

For most competition climbers, rock climbing and spending time in the outdoors is usually off the cards, but for Jim, this wasn't possible. He needed to spend time in the countryside. No Place Like Home celebrates the bouldering the Lake District has to offer. It describes Jim's upbringing in the Lakes and its unique charm

River Monster

Jim Pope in a blue shirt rock climbing on a large boulder above a stream in a forested area.

Miterdale

Jim Pope in a blue jacket bouldering on a large rock in a forested area with ferns and trees.

Tilberthwaite Quarry

A rocky landscape with tall cliffs, scattered trees, and a clear sky above, creating a serene and rugged natural scene.

Groove Armada

Jim Pope in a blue jacket stands under groove armada a large, overhanging rock formation against a cloudy sky, gazing to the side.

Well laid plans

Promo image for

We - Jim, Sam and I - spend much of the year travelling to various climbing areas all around the globe, but for us, there isn't a feeling quite like returning home from a trip and climbing in an area so familiar and so special.

Watch No Place Like Home

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