His most famous climb was his 1886 first ascent of the Napes Needle, which he accomplished, by himself, without any sort of protective devices - eschewing the use of ropes, spikes, and ladders as aids required by inferior climbers.
He is best known for his 1886 solo ascent of the Napes Needle, a feat achieved without ropes, spikes, or ladders, defying the typical climbing gear used by less skilled climbers.