John Sherman (climber)

For other people with the same name, see John Sherman (disambiguation).

John Sherman (born 1959), nicknamed Verm (short for "Vermin") is an American climber and a pioneering boulderer. He is also a writer and photographer. He is the originator of the V-scale for grading boulder problems.

John "Verm" Sherman was a very visible 'outsider' character in the climbing world during much of the 1980s and 90s. An early boulderer, Sherman followed the sport from the era of searching for elusive Gill arrows to the forefront of the modern climbing world. His extensive efforts in the development of Hueco Tanks are important in the sport's history.

Sherman's reputation does not exist without qualification. Alleged clashes between his traditionalist stances during the bolt wars of the late 80s/early 90s and his perceived 'summit at any cost' bouldering ethics (which include repeatedly torch-drying a hold at Rumney which then broke on use^[1]) have been the subject of grumblings in some communities. Sherman is the chief instigator behind bouldering's popularity, and he is credited with development of the modern V-scale for grading boulder problems. He writes for Climbing Magazine.

Publications

Sherman, John (2001). Sherman Exposed: Slightly Censored Climbing Stories. USA: Mountaineers Books. ISBN 978-0898868524.
Sherman, John (1994). Stone Crusade: A Historical Guide to Bouldering in America. Golden, Colorado, USA.: American Alpine Club press. ISBN 0930410572.

External links

A blog post about his "Lord of the Rings" photograph at strategasm.com.

References

^ Smith, Ward. [Rumney.] Page 7, "A Brief History." Augusta, ME: J.S. McCarthy/Letter Systems Printers, 2001.

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Name	Sherman, John
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Date of birth	1959
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