Mary Falconer | Climber | Twr y Felin Hotel

How did you get into climbing?

I discovered climbing by chance, in June 2022, and it quickly became my passion. What started as a new hobby turned into something I deeply love. The mix of physical and mental challenges that climbing offers drives me to push my limits every day. In my first year I progressed rapidly, reaching V9 grade and winning a national adult competition. Now with relentless training I climb v11 and have become a dedicated competition climber. My journey in climbing has been both rewarding and exciting.

What does it involve?

Climbing is much more than just strength—it’s a combination of precision, coordination, flexibility, and problem-solving. I dedicate many hours each day to climbing, strength conditioning, flexibility, cardio and mental preparation. Typically, I train for about 30 hours and climb for 15 hours each week, and each session is crucial for my progression. The mental focus needed to solve advanced problems is as important as the physical effort. Climbing requires full commitment, especially when tackling projects beyond V11 level.

What are your goals?

In the short term, I aim to push my grade and break into the international competition circuit as a TeamGB member. My long-term goal is to represent my country in the 2028 Olympics. Beyond competitions, I hope to inspire others, particularly young women, to discover the benefits of climbing, both physically and mentally.

How will this sponsorship support you?

The sponsorship from The Retreats Group has been invaluable in helping me build a dedicated home climbing gym. This facility allows me to train daily on harder projects, specifically at V13 level, which aren’t available at commercial gyms. The freedom to train at home gives me the consistency and intensity I need to push my limits. It’s a critical part of my preparation for upcoming competitions and will help me pursue my Olympic dream in 2028.

Timeline for upcoming events