Strong Future for Climbing

2013 was a big year for youth climbers around the world. Here are some highlights.

Australian Nine-year-old Angie Scarth-Johnson became the youngest person to climb 5.13d, Adam Ondra climbed the grade when he was 11.

American Mirko Caballero,12 years old, climbed Buttermilker, V12, he has done 29 problems V11 or harder. Eight-year-old Victoria Gezel climbed a V7, 12-year-old Ashima Shiraishi climbed four 5.14cs. Twelve-year-old Mirko Caballero, from California, climbed 5.14b, Stop Sikaat, Rawyl, Switzerland, he also climbed his first V13.

France’s Brooke Rabouto, 11 years old, started climbing very young, she is setting the standard for youth climbers while breaking records. She was the first 10-year-old to climb 5.14a and V10 and first 11-year-old to climb 5.14b. Brooke’s mom, Robyn, won five world cups and her father was also a serious climber. Brooke’s brother Shawn, 14 years old, climbs 5.14b. Also from France, nine-year-old Naïlé Meignan climbed several 5.13s.

German Ruben Firnenburg climbed Sharma’s high class Era Vella, 5.14d, in Margalef. The 17-year-old did his first 5.14c when he was 14 years old and last year he won the Euro Youth Cup. His brother Rueben, 15 years old, has also sent many 5.14s. Italian Giorgia Tesio, 12 years old, sent several V9s, and. Frederike Fell, 11 years old, climbed her first V9. 

Fifteen-year-old Spanish Àlex Hernández onsighted his third 5.14, Martina in Montserrat. In 2013, he climbed two  in Oliana, the first when he was 14 years old.