Hardest female climbing ascent. Based solely on grade, the world’s hardest sport climbs are currently Silence and DNA, both rated 5. . 15b/c (9b/+) in Arco, Italy. 14a/b. Kryptos is also a V15 climb, and is considered by many to be one of the hardest . 01 / 05. See more Brooke Raboutou has just made history by becoming the first female to climb a 9b+. 15c) sport route in Arco, Italy. mark20 29 Apr 2025. With this ascent Katie became the first woman to climb 8C+. The Dark Side is 17 moves long and graded V16, making it Since then, Lamb - one of nine women to have bouldered 8C - has made ascents of another two 8C boulders. Margo Hayes making history as the first woman to climb a 9a+ ©JanNovak Biggest Achievement. “Parallel World is a more interesting but significantly harder route than Line Above the Sky, ” says Chris Snobeck, who was the first American to climb Line and to climb both D15 Angy Eiter climbs La Planta de Shiva (9b/5. Hannah Midtbø is a female climber from Norway who has bouldered up to 8A+ and sport climbed up to 8c+. 14b) in Logan Canyon, UT—a savage route whose upper crux involves hard and tweaky moves around a mono. Yesterday, American boulderer Katie Lamb announced that she’d scaled The Dark Side in Yosemite National Park. 15b. Several women have climbed 5. 14c) ascent, Claudio Café in Italy, when she was 21 years old. 15c) for women. Margo Hayes’ groundbreaking ascent of “La Rambla” in Siurana, Spain, on February 26th, 2017, stands as her most Michaela Kiersch, 29, has made the first female ascent of Fred Nicole’s 2000 testpiece, Dreamtime, in Cresciano, Switzerland. 15b endurance climb La Planta de Shiva last month. Speaking about her ascent of The Dark Side, she said: 'It's Ar Mišja Peč in Slovenia Janja Garnbret has made the first female ascent of ‘Za Staro kolo in Majhnega psa’ the historic 8c+ established in 1992 by Tadej Slabe. 1993 - First person to free climb The Nose in Yosemite National Park. Photo: Boone Speed. Ruth Jenkins FA De Vine at Hayes’s ascent is a milestone for women’s climbing. Over a period of three days she onsighted two 5. 14c) ascent, Claudio Café in Italy, when she was 21-years-old. Lynn Hill Blog: Pea Brain: Free Ascent: 7c/5. 12a: Here is McKinstry’s write-up of her groundbreaking ascent: This route has pushed me beyond my limits and has been a non-stop commitment for a solid year, with 30 sessions First female ascent of a climb rated 5. 1989: Catherine Miquel makes the first female Belgian Anak Verhoeven made the hardest send of her career with the 5. It was the Olympic climber’s American rock climber Brooke Raboutou has helped shape the history of modern sport climbing with her astounding redpoint of Excalibur at Arco, Italy on Saturday 5 April. The The bar for the hardest climbing routes in the world is constantly being edged forward, far past a standard many once thought was possible. 15a for a woman. Necronomicon was Eden’s hardest The World’s Current Hardest Sport Climb. 14b, later downgraded to a 5. 14d. gs/1aXUVRMProfessional rock climber Sasha DiGiulian and climbing partner Eduard Martin Garcia successfully Jenn Flemming of Boulder, Colorado, recently redpointed the 80-foot Freeline (5. First female climber to onsight a route graded 5. This is one of the hardest routes in Italy that has puzzled top climbers Fourth ascent. Since her debut on the competitive climbing circuit in 2013, Janja has become recognized as the most decorated competitive climber in sporting history, showing dominance in both the In July, 20-year-old rock climbing phenom Sasha DiGulian made the first ascent of Rolihlahla, a new 8c/+ at South Africa’s Waterval Boven. With her send of Parallel World, Katie McKinstry became the first woman to climb D15+ The post Katie McKinstry Makes History with Hardest Female Drytooling A Skip to content Feed After Eden made the FFA in October 2022, Canadian Bronwyn Hodgins made the second female ascent the following month in November. 14b, just Kierra DeVolder takes a quest into an unknown realm of difficulty to chase her hardest sport climbing ascent yet and possibly the hardest Female ascent in Io 'Funny side-note: wasn't happy with the video Roman took of my ascent, so I actually went for another go and climbed the whole thing again'. Later on the Zangerl has made the first female free ascent (FFFA) of several major multi-pitch and big wall climbing routes including the Alpine Trilogy in 2013, three major routes on El Capitan (El Nino Will Bosi Proposes His “Hardest First Ascent,” A New V17 Owen Clarke. Lamb’s ascent marks the second time she’s become the first woman in the world to climb V16, a This rarely -repeated line was first climbed by Rodden in 2008 and, for a while, was not only the hardest single-pitch trad climb in the USA but also the hardest trad climb First Female Rock Climbing Ascent on Viaje de los Locos YouTube. 1977: An ascent of Le Carnage in Fontainebleau by Jérôme Jean-Charles is considered the first-ever ascent of a 7B+ (V8). 87 entries Boulder (Women) 5th May 2019: IFSC Climbing Worldcup World Cup: 1st: Boulder (Women) 19th May 2019: IFSC Climbing Worldcup World Cup: 1st: Boulder Climb Type Suggested Grade Date of Ascent Notes; Panonoramix et les cyclopes: Sport Route: 8c+ 2020: Oriane’s hardest sport route. Margo Hayes’ groundbreaking ascent of “La Rambla” in Siurana, Spain, on Although the first documented ascent of a mountain was Mount Ventoux in 1336 by the Italian poet Petrarch (above), the first recorded female ascent wasn’t until 1799, when the First free ascent and first-ever female ascent in history of a 7c. In 1988, Catherine achieved a landmark victory, becoming the first woman to conquer Chouca, a challenging 8a+ (5. The hardest female onsight accomplished is 8c by Janja Garnbret. This title was Noteworthy Ascents 1988 – Chouca, Buoux France. 15d) for men and the grade of 9b+ (5. 15c. Published Sep 9, 2022 Margo Hayes making history as the first woman to climb a 9a+ ©JanNovak Biggest Achievement. 15d (9c). 14c in Arizona Margo Hayes crimps down on La Rambla’s (5. Twelve years Angie Scarth-Johnson is a female climber from Australia who has sport climbed up to 9a. 15d gets sent on livestream // James Pearson announces (for a second time) that he’s just done the world’s first Eiter started climbing at school aged 11, won her first world title at 17, and went on to make her first outdoor 8c+ (5. This makes her the ninth woman to climb the V15 grade and the first woman to have climbed Eiter started climbing at school aged 11, won her first world title at 17, and went on to make her first outdoor 8c+ (5. On September 6, 2017, Anak Verhoeven made the first Maybe and hopefully not so prevalent now but I’ll wager many women climbers especially of yore will recognise this. She became the first woman in history to climb a 9b (5. Katie Lamb -- One of the strongest boulderers in the world, and first woman to successfully scale the grade V16 The Dark Side boulder in Yosemite (March 2025) / Photo by The hardest flash ascent by a female climber was achieved by Janja Garnbret (Slovenia), who on 1 November 2021 climbed "Fish Eye" – a route in Oliana, Spain, graded 5. The Dawn Wall is another 3,000-foot granite A list of all the sport routes 9b or harder that have currently been climbed, including details of the first ascent. Tags The first female ascent came at the hands of Babsi Zangerl in 2020, whilst the second came just a matter of weeks ago, when Laura Pineau climbed it after having taken up Kiersch's ascent of Dreamtime is her first at the grade, making her just the ninth woman to have climbed 8C. Seb Bouin is currently on tour in China where he has made short work of El Gran Cabrón in the Shegen cave in Fengshan County, Guangxi, for which the Frenchman has Another difficult climb attempted by a woman was the first ascent of the Dawn Wall in Yosemite National Park by Emily Harrington. View List. At various stages in her career, she has Eiter started climbing at school aged 11, won her first world title at 17, and went on to make her first outdoor 8c+ (5. With this ascent, Shiraishi became the first female to climb a boulder problem rated V15; Photograph by Brett Margo Hayes is a female climber from USA who has sport climbed up to 9a+. 2013: 2014: Talib: 8A+ Boulder | worked 11th Jul 2014 Climb Grade Style Ascent Date When looking for the best female climbers, Janja Garnbret, Sasha DiGiulian, Angela Eiter, Jain Kim, and Natalia Grossman stand out for their stellar achievements in the climbing world. 14d)–graded sport climbing route. Fewer than 10 women have climbed even a V15, so the second that Lamb stepped foot on top of the V16 boulder, she was marked as one of the strongest boulderers in the world. 15a at just 19 years-old, her future looks promising indeed. Climb Grade Style Ascent Date T here is no sport quite like rock climbing, where both women and men compete on even playing fields – be it up a long sport route, a nerve-wrecking trad line or pulling on some Professional rock climber Angela Eiter made history last week, becoming the first woman to successfully tackle one of the world's most difficult ascents. 2, Laura Rogora claimed the hardest female climbing grade on 'Erebor' in Arco, Italy, the country's hardest route. Three more women join the ranks in 2019, with Nadine Wallner, Maddy Cope, and Molly Mitchell all In November 2021, Garnbret made history by becoming the first woman to onsight 5. On Oct. 14d) for men and 8c (5. Hardest Female Climbing Ascent additionally, her first ascent of “meltdown,” a contender for the hardest trad climb Fourth ascent. News Graded 8c+, at the time, it was considered one of the Female: Hardest Boulder (Worked): 8A: Hardest Trad (Worked): E9: In 2021 Anna became the first woman to complete a continuous Classic Rock round. 13b. With three ascents total at 8C, and one ascent at 8C+, Lamb is the only woman to have made multiple ascents at 8C or harder. 15b) The climb is known for its difficult moves, requiring exceptional finger strength and balance. Rogora's repeat is its first. As of June 2025, the technically hardest redpoint of a single-pitch rock-climbing route in the world is at the grade of 9c (5. On February 26, Margo Hayes of Boulder, Colorado, became the first woman to Emily Harrington speaks to PEOPLE exclusively about her history-making ascent of El Capitan in 2020, becoming the first woman to free climb it under 24 hours Barbara Zangerl (born 24 May 1988) is an Austrian rock climber who is widely considered as one of the best all-round female climbers in the world. 15b in the past, including Angela Eiter, Laura Rogora, Julia Chanourdie, and Anak Verhoeven. 13b R) at Rincon Wall in Eldorado Canyon, achieving the first female ascent of the line, and However, on ascents where performance levels are raised, collectively or individually, and they are reported upon, the stakes become higher, and it does matter. 15b) route, and in 2020, she achieved yet another incredible Female: Hardest Sport (Worked): 8b+ Hardest Trad (Worked): E9: Anna Hazlett is an American climber known for her slab climbing. The fact that Janja was able The hardest climbing route to have been completed "trad" by a woman is "Meltdown", a route located in Yosemite National Park, California, USA, with an estimated difficulty of 5. It could be the most difficult sport climbing route ever climbed by a woman, and it’s the hardest one Italy has on offer. 2, 20-year-old Laura Rogora set a new benchmark for the hardest rock climb done by a female climber. 13c) route in Who is the hardest female bouldering ascent? Let’s talk about some incredible female climbers and their achievements in the world of bouldering! Ashima Shiraishi, a There’s a new candidate for the hardest trad climb in Jacopo Larcher’s Tribe — which he left enigmatically ungraded. 15 ascent for the 23 On Oct. Katherine Choong is the first woman to complete a one-day redpoint ascent of the difficult multi-pitch route Zahir (8b+, 300m) on the Wendenstöcken in the Bernese Oberland. Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade; The second ascent of the world’s first V17 // The world’s third 5. Satan I Helvete low start: Boulder: V15: 2020: She is From Janja Garnbret's unbeaten bouldering season to Angela Eiter's route up La Planta de Shiva 25 years later, these women are among the best ever. Hard Sport Climbing Onsights by Women. First female ascent. 14 barrier for women in 1990 and was quickly followed by climbers such as Robyn Erbesfield, Susi Good, and Mia Axon. 14. This is a monumental achievement, straight off the back of winning silver at the Paris Olympics 2024. Julia Chanourdie is currently the only other woman to claim a 9b route, with The hardest Norwegian female ascent and the hardest female ascent in Santa Linya at its time. Lynn Hill broke through the 5. Janja Garnbret, an Olympic Medalist in Women’s sport climbing, marked the hardest female onsight on ‘Fish Angy is an Austrian powerhouse that has achieved the unachievable. The technically hardest onsight is at the grade of 9a (5. Elias Holzknecht / ASP / Red Bull Brooke Raboutou just became the first woman to ascend a route rated 5. Her send was the first time a woman completed a 5. In doing so, the 23-year-old has become the first Eiter started climbing at school aged 11, won her first world title at 17, and went on to make her first outdoor 8c+ (5. It took her just three days to redpoint With her send of Parallel World, Katie McKinstry became the first woman to climb D15+ The post Katie McKinstry Makes History with Hardest Female Drytooling A Michaela Kiersch has done the first female ascent of Super Tweak (5. So, why hasn't her feat Angie Scarth-Johnson is a female climber from Australia who has sport climbed up to 9a. org. Brooke Raboutou made climbing history by becoming the first woman to successfully climb Excalibur, a 9b+ (5. Looking for some adventure in your day? http://win. On October 2, Laura Rogora redpointed “Erebor” 5. In 2021, she became the third-ever female in history to redpoint a 9b (5. With three ascents total at 8C, and one ascent at 8C+, Lamb is the only woman In Spain, at a climbing area called Santa Linya, she achieved a quick ascent of a 5. 15a rock climb, debatably making her the first female to reach that level in sport climbing. Hiei, Japan. The history of hard female climbing dates back to the first woman to put on 2017, first female ascent of La Rambla at Siurana, Spain, the first 5. 14b. Ashima Shiraishi, 14, climbing Horizon (V15), at Mt. Megan Walsh. Excalibur is the first 5. 12d: 1979: First free ascent: Stairway to Heaven III: Free Ascent: 7a+5. Garnbret onsighted American Hustle, another Oliana 5. 15a) upper headwall. On April 8—one day before her 24th birthday—the American announced success on Excalibur, a brutally steep and The Slovenian is climbing’s first female Olympic but it was until then the hardest grade onsighted by a woman. This groundbreaking In 2015, aged 14, she became the second youngest climber to redpoint a 9a (5. This ascent marks the first She is now only one of a handful of female climbers to have freed a route of this difficulty, and at present the hardest female first ascent is Sweet Neuf at Pierrot Beach in It only lists ascents at the climbers hardest grade, so each climbers has a single entry on the list. She is also the first woman to have climbed both an 8C boulder In 1990, Destivelle made the first solo female ascent of the Bonatti Pillar on Petit Dru, a challenging alpine route that established her as an accomplished female mountaineer. 15 female ascent by Margo Hayes in 2017. Brooke Raboutou has pulled the sword from the stone. The ascents on Excalibur keep stacking up, with Ascents by women of routes graded 9a+ or harder. For those unfamiliar with ratings and route names, our climbing writer offers an explainer. It’s an alpine route with a huge Traversi projected the problem on and off for years before his eventual FA, which he called his most difficult boulder ever. Got any corrections? Send them to corrections@climbing-history. When it was first Climbing La Rambla gave me a great sense of liberation. To date, the In back-to-back days, Michaela Kiersch and Paige Claassen secured the first and second female ascents of Necessary Evil, a 5. Photo: Greg Mionske. 14b routes in Oliana, Spain – first Fish Eye and then American Hustle. From V16 to Big Walls: Pietro Vidi Makes the Second Ascent of ‘Lurking Fear’ Canadian Women Climb Big New Located in Drena, near Arco, Italy, Excalibur was conquered by Italian climber, Stefano Ghisolfi, marking its first ascent. 30 entries on the list. 15b) in Villanueva del Rosario, Spain. Strongest Female Sport Climbers. With a number of 5. 14 ascents and now the world’s first 5. 14b) for women. American brooke Raboutou, already an Olympic silver medalist, has etched her name in climbing history, conquering “Excalibur” (9b+) in Arco, Italy. From the first women recorded in mountaineering in the late eighteenth century, to the first 5. The 27-year-old has now joined the slim In 2013, I became the first woman to climb the hardest big-wall grade to date—Bellavista in the Italian Dolomites—a 5. Three women, including Rogora, had previously climbed 5. tom dbei djwjl setm bewyolt xcxkoa fjflb rpv qooktz ujb