Michaela Kiersch Is Crushing in Rocklands
She's well-known for sendy bouldering and sport climbing trips abroad
American climber Michaela Kiersch is currently on a bouldering trip in Rocklands, South Africa. Over the past couple of weeks, she’s sent three V13s, one V12, and many V11s and V10s, including a flashes of Light Saber V11, Caroline V10, and Black Mango Chutney V10. She’s had many climbing days where she’s climbed two double-digit boulder problems while on the trip. On one particularly sendy day, she climbed three V11s: Nutsa, Out of Balance, and Pendragon.
Early in her trip, she topped Quintessential V13. This week, she sent both Arch V13 and Master Key V13. “Mean crimps on this one,” she said on Instagram about Master Key. “Double split tips on my first sesh.” The day she sent Master Key she also topped Green Mamba V12.
Kiersch is no stranger to successful trips abroad. In April this year, she returned from a sport climbing trip to Margalef where redpointed a 5.14b, 5.14b/c, and 5.14c, climbed her second-ever 5.15a, and also made her first 5.14a onsight. While on a Switzerland bouldering trip in 2023, she climbed 10 problems V10 and above in under two weeks.
In terms of bouldering and sport climbing success, Kiersch is one of the most well-rounded climbers on the planet. In addition to her two 5.15a’s, she’s climbed climbed three 5.14d’s over the years, including Dreamcatcher in Squamish and Victimes del Futur and Era Vella in Margalef. She’s climbed many V13s and several V14s, including Hailstorm in Utah and New Base Line and Tigris Sit in Magic Wood.
Kiersch’s Rocklands Ticklist (so far)
- Quintessential V13
- Arch V13
- Master Key V13
- Green Mamba V12
- Light Saber V11 (Flash)
- Barracuda V11
- Dirty Epic V11
- The Hatchling V11
- Nuta V11
- Out of Balance V11
- Pendragon V11
- Tea with Elmarie V11
- Caroline V10 (Flash)
- Black Mango Chutney V10 (Flash)
- Paula Abdul V10
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