The exceptional Slovenian athlete achieves the first female ascent of one of the most iconic and demanding routes in sport climbing, becoming only the second woman ever to climb a 9b+ route.
On June 6, 2026, Janja Garnbret In Céüse, France, another chapter of her already extraordinary career unfolded: With the first female ascent of "Bibliographie," she mastered one of the world's most difficult sport climbing routes, graded 9b+. Only five people had successfully climbed the line before her.
The 35-meter route was bolted by Ethan Pringle in 2009 and first climbed by Alexander Megos in 2020. Since then, it has become one of the most renowned endurance test pieces in modern sport climbing. Characterized by more than 80 demanding moves, "Bibliographie" has seen only a handful of ascents to date. Originally graded 9c by Megos after 60 days of projecting, the route was later downgraded to 9b+ by Stefano Ghisolfi after the second ascent—a consensus that has largely prevailed ever since. Garnbret first attempted the route shortly after the 2024 Olympic Games, and she secured the send on her fifth trip to Céüse.
Garnbret joins Raboutou.
The breakthrough into the 9b+ range was first achieved by a woman in April 2025: Brooke Raboutou With Excalibur in Drena near Arco, she became the first woman ever to climb a confirmed route of this grade. Remarkably, this was her first ascent in the ninth grade, thus skipping 9a, 9a+, and 9b. Stefano Ghisolfi's steep test piece had previously only been climbed by himself and William Bosi; Yannick Flohé has since joined the list of ascenders of the iconic Kingline. Before Raboutou, the 9b grade marked the pinnacle of female sport climbing: Angela Eiter opened this grade in 2017 with "La Planta de Shiva," followed by climbers such as Laura Rogora and Anak Verhoeven.
"I was in my own world"
“It feels incredible. It’s honestly really hard to describe. When the ascent happens, everything just flows, everything is perfect. You basically don’t feel what you’re climbing anymore,” Garnbret describes the decisive moment. For the 27-year-old, the successful ascent was the culmination of a process that demanded not only physical strength, but also patience and perseverance.
I think I've learned a lot about myself over the past five trips. I've learned a lot about Céüse and the route. Perhaps I was less nervous than on previous attempts. These two weeks have challenged me in a way nothing has before. They've truly tested my patience.
Janja Garnbret
Instead of working towards a planned final attempt, the ascent came unexpectedly. "I was actually just warming up on the route, but I felt perfect and kept going. I was simply in my own bubble, in my own world, doing what I love most. Unlike other days, there were only a few people at the crag, no loud cheering. It was one of the most peaceful moments of my climbing career."
Perfect conditions on the last day
The successful ascent came on Garnbret's last day of climbing in Céüse before returning to the competition circuit. After warm conditions throughout the trip, she finally found the window of opportunity she had been waiting for. Significantly cooler temperatures and strong winds provided perfect conditions and ideal grip on the compact limestone.
“This ascent is the culmination of everything I’ve learned over the past two years. This route has shown me that with a calm mind and patience, anything is possible,” Garnbret emphasizes. “When it finally happens, it’s an incredible feeling. All the work, all the dedication, the patience – when it all comes together, it’s overwhelming. Today my heart feels very full.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming World Cup in Innsbruck, where she can extend her winning streak to 50, the Slovenian climber wants to build on this performance. "This is something I will remember forever. It will help me with future rock climbing projects, in competition, in training, and in everything I do in life."
GOAT in competition and on the rock
Arguably the most successful competitive climber in history, the 27-year-old has amassed two Olympic gold medals, ten World Championship titles, and a record number of World Cup victories. While her achievements have redefined competitive climbing over the past decade, Bibliographie marks her most significant ascent on rock to date.
This route ignited a fire within me. It made me feel something special, and I kept coming back to it. It definitely helped me become a better athlete and a better climber.
Janja Garnbret
Instead of focusing on grades or comparisons, Garnbret has repeatedly emphasized her passion for climbing itself. "I'm not doing this to prove anything. I simply love climbing, and I think this is just the beginning," she said. "I want to inspire the next generation not to be afraid of the grade. It doesn't matter if it's a men's or women's route—it's a route!"
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Credits cover photo: Jessica Glassberg / Red Bull Content Pool