CAMERON HÖRST

World-classic climber playing American football

The eldest Hörst brother is known for his focus, discipline, and power, both as a world-classic climber and successful American football player. As a climber Cameron quickly ascend the grade scale with his first 5.13 redpoint at age 9 and three 5.14a redpoints at age 11. He has since climbed at least seventeen 8b+/14a and harder routes, including two at the grade of 8c/14b. Cameron also enjoys traditional (gear) climbing, including his 2014 lead climb up Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. In 2012, Cameron was awarded Climbing Magazine’s Golden Piton for his achievements the previous year, and in 2013—along with brother, Jonathan - Cameron received the “New Kids on the Block” OLGA award by the European climbing magazine CLIMAX. After graduating high school in 2019, Cameron is taking a couple of gap years to pursue climbing as a professional. Over this time, he sent his first 5.14d/9a climb (at age 18). And since has done a handful of others. In 2021, Cameron’s main climbing goal is to send his first 5.15/9a+ route.

Birthday: September 13, 2000
Home: Lancaster, PA
Favorite MAXIM rope: Pinnacle Yellow-Jacket Bi-Pattern

“In religion we call it spirits, in science they call it energy, and in the streets they call it vibes. All I'm saying is trust it.”

Cameron Hörst

Get to know Cameron ...

Tell us how and when you got into climbing?
I got into climbing at a very young age as both of my parents were climbers— I did my first lead climb at age 6, and I redpointed my first 5.14a at age 11. Growing up my father helped build my foundation as a climber by taking our family to many of America’s coolest climbing areas.

What do you think was the highlight of your climbing career (so far)?
The highlight of my climbing career so far was my family’s first trip to Germany back in summer of 2015. That was the first time I have been climbing outside of the States and I was a great experience in terms of growing my climbing and being exposed to a whole new culture in terms of life and in regards to climbing

What are you doing when you are not climbing?
When I am not climbing I am a full-time high school student, and I play American football in the Fall as well. I love being able to be a part of team sports while I can.

Do you have any peculiar eating habits?
I do not have any abnormal eating habits, but my mother loves to cook and she’s amazing at it so that is a good thing I’d say. But I definitely love ordering out pizza, too!

If you could choose a super power, what would it be?
Read people’s minds.

What was your favorite climbing adventure?
My favorite climbing adventure was climbing Devils Tower in Wyoming for the first time with my family when I was about 9 years old. What made this a memorable experience is just before we got to the top a thunderstorm came forcing us to take cover under this huge boulder leaning against the cliff just a pitch below the summit (until the storm passed). This experience at the time could be considered scary or dangerous, but definitely was an experienced that I would never forget—it’s a great story I still like to tell!

MAXIM athlete Cameron Hörst climbing Moonshine 5.14d

MAXIM athlete Cameron Hörst climbin White Lightning 5.14d

MAXIM athlete Cameron Hörst climbing Arrested Development 5.14d

Career Highlights

Moonshine

Country/City: Wild Iris / Wyoming
Grade: 5.14d
Length: 50ft

Moonshine was my first 5.14d/9a route. I sent this climb summer of 2019 during my first ever solo trip to Wyoming. At the time it was my longest project to date in which it took me nine days of effort to complete. This climb is a short, steep and powerful climb on one and two finger pockets. This climb was dubbed “the hardest climb in Wyoming” at the time of its first ascent.

White Lightning

Country/City: Wild Iris, Wyoming
Grade: 5.14d
Length: 50ft

White Lightning is the harder, direct start to Wild Iris’s infamous climb “Moonshine”. I sent this climb in summer 2020 during my multi-month summer road trip out west. What makes this climb harder than Moonshine is that instead of doing 5.13 climbing into the crux, you climb the heinous mono pocket crux of a 5.14 called “Heart Full of Ghosts”. This climb is high end for the grade and I managed to get the third ascent!

Arrested Development

Country/City: Mt. Charleston, Nevada
Grade: 5.14d
Lenght: 80ft

Arrested Development is a rarely climbed line in the Robbers roost sector of Mt. Charleston. The climb was first done by Ethan Pringle circa 2012, since has only seen a handful of ascents. In September of 2020, I took a two week trip to Nevada with my dad in pursuit of sending this climb. After four days of effort I found myself clipping the chains. The crux of this climb consists of doing gymnastic moves on two finger pockets out a steep roof. Then after a brief rest, you pull onto the head wall and climb 40 feet of bouldery 5.13+ to the anchors.

Up to the top!