Michaela Kiersch spent two weeks at the Gotthard Pass in June and once again demonstrated her top form. Among other things, one of Switzerland's most coveted routes, "Hazel Grace" (8B+), is now on her tick list. The latest Mellow video showcases the ascent, featuring special guests Dave Graham and first ascensionist Giuliano Cameroni..
American climber Michaela Kiersch visited the Gotthard Pass for the first time in June and made the most of her time in Ticino. Within two weeks, she amassed a remarkable haul of climbs on the granite above the pass summit. The highlight: repeating "Hazel Grace," one of the most famous 8B+ boulder problems in Switzerland.
A new video on Mellow, filmed by Giuliano Cameroni, now documents their attempts and the eventual ascent. Besides "Hazel Grace," it also shows other ascents in the 8A to 8B range.
A boulder with a history
“Hazel Grace” was established by Giuliano Cameroni, who first climbed the stand-start variation in 2017. Since then, the boulder has become a must-do for the international elite: Will Bosi, Yannick Flohé, Jorge Díaz-Rullo, and Stefano Ghisolfi, among others, have repeated the line. The first female ascent was achieved by Shauna Coxsey in 2024.
Significantly more difficult is the sit-start version, "Hazel Grace Sit," which Cameroni first climbed in 2021 after approximately 30 sessions and which is graded 8C/8C+. Dave Graham repeated the ascent in 2023. In August 2025, Stefano Ghisolfi also climbed both variations of Hazel Grace.
Also “Power of Zero” with devaluation proposal
Besides "Hazel Grace," another tough boulder was on Kiersch's list: "Power of Zero," first climbed by Diego Cameroni in September 2025 and graded 8C. The short, compact line has seen very few repeats to date.
Kiersch herself considers the suggestion too high. She used a different hold and estimates the boulder to be more in the 8B+ range, or at most 8B.
Kiersch's tick list:
Power of Zero 8C (downgraded to 8B+)
Hazel Grace 8B+
L'apprehension 8A+
Dulcifer sit 8A+
Silence 8A
Corner room 8A (downgrade to 8A+)
Scary Christmas 8A
Rosa Maialino 8A
El Toro 8A
Dark Seduto / Dark side sit 8A
The American climber expressed her enthusiasm on Instagram about her first visit to the Gottardo, saying she was simply overwhelmed. In the end, she only managed to climb every other day – her skin and strength wouldn't allow for more. She described the local community as the real highlight of the trip, thanking Giuliano Cameroni for being her guide, beta encyclopedia, crash pad carrier, and cameraman all rolled into one.
One of the most versatile climbers in the world
Michaela Kiersch has been one of the world's most versatile climbers for years. In November 2024, she repeated Fred Nicole's "Dreamtime" (8C) in Cresciano, becoming the first woman to climb both 8C and 9a+. She achieved further 9a+ ascents with "La Rambla" (2023), "Víctima Perfecta" (2024), and in May 2026, the first female ascent of "Dolby Surround" in the Zillertal. In September 2025, she established "Mad Lib" (9a) in Vermont, the hardest sport climbing route ever first climbed by a woman in North America.
Watch the video
You might be interested in:
- Michaela Kiersch achieves the first female ascent of »Dolby Surround« (9a+) in the Zillertal
- Hardest first ascent by a woman in North America – Michaela Kiersch opens 9a
- Historic: Michaela Kiersch repeats Dreamtime, the world's first 8C boulder
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Credits: Cover image and video: Mellow