Nina Williams Achieves “Most Personally Meaningful Ascent” in Rumney
Known for her highball sends, Williams has repeated one of the northeast United States' most classic hard lines
Three days ago, American climber Nina Williams made the first female ascent of China Beach 5.14b (8c) in the schist wonderland of Rumney, New Hampshire. Dave Graham was the first to climb the line back in 1999 and many pro climbers have since repeated it including Joe Kinder, Daniel Woods, and Jonathan Siegrist.
China Beach 5.14b is found on the famous Waimea wall, home of Jaws 2 5.15a. The line is only eight bolts long but it packs a punch and is sustained throughout. A steep start leads to a dyno an then desperate crimping up an overhanging wall. Williams first tried the climb as a teenager. On this trip, she battled typical Rumney spring conditions full of rain, humidity, and seepage, but she still managed to pull off the send.
“I clipped the chains two days ago and can still hardly believe it,” she said via Instagram. “I remember getting so stoked watching Dosage II hometown heroes [Dave Graham, Joe Kinder, and Luke Parady] raging in Rumney and putting New England on the map. The stoke gets stronger every time I come back, alongside a deep appreciation for what it means to climb on the East Coast. The conditions demand patience, dedication, a willingness to try hard no matter what, and logistical timing to get things done. I’ve re-learned all those lessons and more.”
“China Beach feels like the most personally meaningful ascent of my career thus far, largely due to my emotional attachment to the East. I’m psyched to be the first woman / shortest person up the ‘Big Kids Wall’ and so very thankful for everyone who helped this childhood dream come true.”
Footage of Williams’ ascent has not yet been the released. In the meantime, check out this video of a young Alex Megos sending China Beach 5.14b back in 2012.
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