Irmgard Braun Climbs 5.12+ at 72 Years Old
One year after getting hit by a car, she's back to climbing hard and said that she still enjoys wine and chocolate
Irmgard Braun has climbed Le String a Fredo 5.12c at Gorges du Tarn in France. The 72-year-old made headlines in 2021 when she climbed Open Box 5.12d at 69 years old.
“This year I tried the route [for] six days; the middle part felt quite easy, the slopy end hard. I had a big problem after the first little overhang low down,” Braun said on social media. “Maybe I was stupid, maybe I was not tall enough. Finally, I found a solution with very small crimps that looked like they had never been used before. I am so happy that now, one year after my knee surgery, I am able to climb difficult (for me) routes again!”
At the start of summer 2023, Braun was struck by a car while riding her bike, which resulted in several months of recovery and rehabilitation. She said that she was back to lead climbing on sport routes within nine months.
On 8a.nu, Braun talked about her training, saying, “At home, I climb about 3-4 times per week, on rock, if possible, and quite often in a climbing hall. At least once per week, I climb at my limit, bouldering with a rope. Other training except climbing: antagonist and core training 1-2 times a week combined with stretching. One session takes about 1 hour. My lifestyle is not at all ascetic, I like to drink good wine and love chocolate.”
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