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Watch Caroline Ciavaldini Talk Motherhood and Send Gaia E8 6c

New Life is a film that focuses on risk, sponsors, parenting and the lifestyle of a pro climber

New Life chronicles the journey of Caroline Ciavaldini and James Pearson, and documents the shifting priorities that come with raising a son in a world that revolves around climbing and outdoor exploration.

Ciavaldini talks about finding the balance between being a parent and taking risks in the mountains. Alpinist Hilaree Nelson talks about regaining strength after having kids, the mental hurdles and about keeping sponsors.

Last year, Ciavaldini repeated the famous gritstone route Gaia E8 6c (5.12dX) at Black Rocks, England. It climbs a steep groove that heads up and right across a technical face with a series of low-percentage slopers and smears that lead to a burly arete. Ciavaldini was the third woman to tick Gaia, after American Lisa Rands in 2006 and Katy Whittaker in 2013. Sean McColl sent the heady line in 2016 as the first Canadian.

Parenthood is an adventure like no other, not least in the world of adventure, where reward is constantly measured against potential risk. From fear of losing sponsors to the challenge of maintaining their expedition-led lifestyles.

After trying climbing for the first time on a small wall at her school, Ciavaldini started to focus on it. Making fast progress, she won the French Youth Championship and French UNSS Championships in 2000 and was soon competing in the European Youth Cup and World Youth Championships. At the age of 16 she made the brave decision to leave her beloved island and move to France to improve her training. Based in Aix-en-Provence, she spent ten years focusing on the Lead World Cup, finishing third over all in both 2005 and 2006. She also won the French lead championship every year between 2004 and 2007.

New Life

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