Breaking limits: Female climbers will inspire you to conquer your dreams
Have you ever thought climbing is a man’s game? Think again! These female climbers will leave you feeling rested and inspired to get ready to reach your own peak.
From Janja Garnbret with her unexpected bouldering season to Angela Eiter with her quest to conquer La Planta de Shiva after 25 years, these female athletes are rewriting history.
But the story has not just begun. In 1993, Lynn Hill shocked the climbing world. In an era dominated by men, she automatically climbed the famous El Capitan cliff in Yosemite National Park, up to 900 meters high, using only her hands and feet, without a safety rope. What’s more surprising is that Hill is not only the first woman to conquer El Capitan, but also the first person to do so. She believes that stones are great catalysts and her course of action has proven to be just that.
“Regardless of our qualitative differences, with the right combination of scope, desire and effort, nearly any climbing challenge can be overcome,” she said. “Whether tall or short, man or woman, rock is a medium, open to everyone’s entertainment in their own way.”
Hill inspired many others to follow and cemented his place among the world’s greatest climbers. Here are our picks, from the legends to the new generation.
01. Sasha DiGiulian: Queen of contemporary climbing
Often hailed as one of the best DIY climbers in the world today, Sasha DiGiulian has made more than 30 women’s first ascents and eight major first ascents.
Inspired by the Hill, she began climbing at age 7 and by age 18 became the third woman, after Josune Bereziartu of Spain and Charlotte Durif of France, to conquer route 9a (5.14 d) at Red River Gorge, Kentucky.
“First ascents and first ascents by women are historical lampposts in our sport,” she said. “Both need to be emphasized. Obviously, if women can do a lot of first ascents, overall, this is ideal.”
DiGiulian has done just that, traveling the world to conquer major climbing challenges, including the first women’s ascent of Magic Mushroom on the North Face of the Eiger, Switzerland in 2015, and the The first The Misty Wall mountain in Yosemite in 2017.
02. Margo Hayes: Queen of speed conquers the peak
Margo Hayes rewrote mountain climbing history when she became the first woman to conquer the 9a+ (5.15a) difficulty on La Rambla, Spain in February 2017. She held this record for the previous 9 months when beaten by Angela Eiter with difficulty 9b (5.15b).
Starting out with gymnastics at age 8, Margo Hayes discovered climbing two years later and honed her skills with the ABC team in Boulder. During the year preparing for La Rambla, she completed 14 routes of difficulty 5.14a or higher.
“When I clipped the last hook on La Rambla, the flood of emotions surprised me,” she shares. “I immediately burst into tears. It was a combination of joy and disbelief. I will never forget that moment.”
Hayes attempted to climb La Rambla 17 times in 7 days before successfully conquering and quickly moving on with completing the Realization/Biographie route.
The appearance of Margo Hayes has proven that women can completely match, and even surpass, the limits of men in the climbing world. She is an endless source of inspiration for those who dream of conquering the peak.
03. Janja Garnbret: The undefeated queen of climbing
Janja Garnbret – a name synonymous with dominance in the climbing world. This young Slovenian woman is redefining what is possible in this sport.
With an undefeated record in an impressive season and winning the first gold medal in climbing history at the Tokyo Olympics, Garnbret proved his outstanding talent. Her possibilities seem limitless when she steps out of the World Cup arena.
Garnbret is more than just an athlete, she is an inspiration to an entire generation of mountaineers. Her presence is taking climbing to new heights.
04. Angela Eiter: Mountain climbing legend breaks boundaries
Angela Eiter – a name that is no longer strange to those who love climbing. She is one of the world’s top climbers and made history in October 2017 when she became the first woman to conquer the 9b (5.15b) La Planta de Shiva route.
“I really love that women are breaking barriers and pushing the envelope,” she shares. “There are so many impressive female athletes to learn from and now there are so many new ones who are making groundbreaking climbs.”
Having started climbing at age 11, Eiter won her first world championship at age 17 and made her first 8c+ (5.14c) outdoor climb, Claudio Café in Italy, when she was 21. She stepped up to difficulty level 9a (5.14d) in 2014 with her climbs of Hades and Big Hammer in her home country of Austria, and Era Vella in Spain a year later, when she began her challenge on La Planta de Shiva. .
Angela Eiter is not only an excellent athlete, she is also a great inspiration to female climbers around the world.
05. Jain Kim: Ageless climbing queen
Jain Kim – symbol of passion and perseverance in mountain climbing. Born into a family of mountain climbers, Kim grew up among the cliffs and found joy in conquering heights.
“Climbing is everything to me, it’s definitely my dream job. I think it’s my destiny and the love of my life,” Kim shared.
Since 2009, Kim has proven his talent with countless championship positions at World Cup climbing tournaments. But her achievements don’t stop at competitions. In May 2017, Kim conquered the 555-meter-high Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea.
Most recently, at age 34, Kim became the oldest female athlete to win the Lead World Cup gold medal in Chamonix on July 9, 2023.
Jain Kim is not only an outstanding athlete, she is also an inspiration for those of all ages who want to pursue their passion.
06. Jessica Pilz: From a girl who likes to climb trees to a climbing star
Jessica Pilz – a promising young talent in the world climbing village. Her journey began at a local competition just a month after she started climbing.
From his first steps, Pilz quickly advanced, from national competitions to the international arena. Her impressive achievements with 6 children’s climbing championships from 2011 to 2015 have confirmed her talent.
Pilz continued to shine when she took 10th place at the 2019 World Combined Championship, thereby earning a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics, where she finished in 7th place. Most recently, she excelled in winning runner-up finish at the 2023 World Combined Championships, opening the door to another Olympics.
Jessica Pilz represents the talented young generation of mountain climbing. Her career is still continuing to develop, promising to bring many surprises in the future.
07. Oriane Bertone: French climbing prodigy
Oriane Bertone – a name that makes the whole climbing world admire. Since the age of 12, she has made history by becoming the youngest person to conquer the V14 (8B+) difficulty level. Just two years later, at the age of 15, she continued to cause a stir with her first ascent of the Satan I Helvete Low V15 route at Fontainebleau.
Bertone not only excelled at bouldering but also showed talent in climbing with 2nd place at the 2023 World Cup in the US and Korea, even surpassing Tokyo Olympic champion – Janja Garnbret.
Bertone’s passion and determination promise to take her to new heights in the near future.
Oriane Bertone is not only the future of French climbing but also an inspiration for the younger generation of climbers around the world.
08. Natalia Grossman: The Rising Star of Climbing
Natalia Grossman is a name synonymous with climbing excellence. From a young age, her passion for the sport was evident. Discovered at just six years old, her talent quickly blossomed into a competitive drive.
Grossman’s rapid ascent to the top of the climbing world is nothing short of remarkable. Her early successes, including silver medals at the World Youth Championships, hinted at her potential. However, it was her dominating performance in the 2021 season that truly solidified her status as a global climbing sensation.
What sets Grossman apart is her versatility. While predominantly known for her exceptional bouldering skills, she has consistently proven herself as a force to be reckoned with in lead climbing as well. Her ability to excel in both disciplines is a testament to her incredible athleticism and mental fortitude.
Grossman’s journey is still unfolding, and the climbing community eagerly awaits her next accomplishments. With her talent, dedication, and competitive spirit, she is undoubtedly shaping the future of the sport.
09. Angie Scarth-Johnson: The Climbing Prodigy
Angie Scarth-Johnson is a name that has quickly become synonymous with climbing brilliance. Her journey began in the most natural way possible – climbing trees. A childhood fall led to a safer pursuit of her passion in a rock gym, a decision that would change her life.
From the moment she started climbing, Scarth-Johnson’s exceptional talent was undeniable. By the tender age of nine, she had already conquered a formidable 31 (8b) route, a feat that left the climbing world astonished. Her progression continued at an astonishing pace, with an 8c (33) route falling victim to her skills just a year later.
Scarth-Johnson’s passion for climbing extends beyond personal achievement. She is inspired by the community and the endless possibilities the sport offers.
With a career trajectory that is both inspiring and unprecedented, Angie Scarth-Johnson is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the world of climbing. Her story is a testament to dedication, talent, and the limitless potential of human achievement.
10. Petra Klingler: The Swiss Climbing Titan
Petra Klingler is a name synonymous with climbing excellence and unwavering determination. Her mantra, “Never give up,” perfectly encapsulates her relentless pursuit of climbing greatness.
Hailing from a family of climbers, Klingler’s passion for the sport was ignited at a tender age. By 12, she was already a force to be reckoned with, claiming her first victory in lead climbing. Her talent blossomed into a career marked by numerous accolades, including World Bouldering Champion, Swiss Champion in Speed and Bouldering, and European Bronze Medalist in Bouldering.
What sets Klingler apart is her incredible versatility. Beyond her dominance in the climbing world, she’s also a world-class ice climber. This exceptional breadth of skills has made her a formidable competitor across various disciplines, and she’s set her sights on conquering the Olympic stage in Sport Climbing, which encompasses speed, bouldering, and lead climbing.
Klingler’s story is an inspiration to climbers worldwide. Her unwavering spirit, coupled with her exceptional talent, has solidified her position as one of the greatest climbers of her generation.
Above is a summary of the 10 best female mountain climbers in the world today. Each of them possesses unique talents and achievements, contributing to inspiring the young generation of climbers globally.
Their sportsmanship, dedication and passion for lizards have turned the steep cliffs into a stage for them to shine, assert themselves and conquer seemingly impossible limits.
Their journey is a testament to the extraordinary power of the human will. Finding the path to success requires tireless effort, the ability to overcome challenges wisely, and the courage to face challenges. face difficult people.
Their stories are a strong source of motivation for each of us to continue pursuing our passion, turning our dreams into reality and conquering the heights in life.
Let’s remember these names and follow their actions in the future!
Reference source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/07/opinion/women-rock-climbing.html
