Caroline Ciavaldini Sends Voie Petit in Chamonix

Caroline Ciavaldini has become the first woman to send Voie Petit 5.13d on the Grand Capucin on Mont Blanc du Tacul. The test-piece 450-metre route was first climbed by Arnaud Petit in 1997. Known as the hardest climb at the elevation it stands at, the first free ascent fell to Alex Huber in 2005. It has been freed by a number of top climbers, including David Lama and Edu Marin.

Born in Toulouse, Ciavaldini grew up on the French island of La Reunion. Not long after getting into comp climbing, she was four times the French Youth Champion, three times the Youth World Champion and in 2011 she won the Lead World Cup in Chamonix. She has established 5.13ds above 4,000 metres in Borneo, made hard 5.14 first ascents and is now focusing on big alpine free routes. Follow Ciavaldini on Facebook here.