Anak Verhoeven draws another sport climbing route in Rodellar in the ninth French degree: Las Meninas L1 (9a / +). The strong Belgian has been in the Spanish climbing Mecca since mid-September and has enjoyed the heavily overhanging El Museo sector in this first week. We're excited to see what's to come.
With the first pitch of Las Meninas (9a/+) can Anak Verhoeven enter another sport climbing route in the ninth French degree in their route book. The line was from Gonzalo Larrocha Furnished and in August 2020 by Jorge Diaz-Rullo first climbed. If you climb both pitches, the route even checks in at 9a+/b. Anak Verhoeven is the first woman to complete the first part of the route.
Illustrious group of 9a+ female climbers
Since September 2017, Anak Verhoeven has been part of the small circle of athletes who climb at a difficulty level of 9a+. Only then could they Margo Hayes, Angela Eiter and claim them. At Verhoeven's first 9a+ Sweet Neuf it is a first ascent. Accordingly, it was not yet clear at this point whether the degree would be confirmed.
Anak Verhoeven climbs her first 9a+ route: Sweet Neuf
At the latest, however, since their repetition of Joe Mama, a confirmed 9a+, it is clear that the Belgian has mastered the degree. In the meantime, the 26-year-old has climbed numerous 9-routes, including Ciudad de dios (9a/+) in Santa Linya, Kraftio (8c+/9a), the most difficult route in Belgium, Esclatamasters (9a) in PearlsOr Jungfrau Marathon (9a) and Inferno (9a/+) in gimmelwald.
Rock instead of competition
Anak Verhoeven gave up competitive climbing a year ago and has only focused on her rock projects ever since. A model that you see more and more often. We spoke to the Belgian and asked her what climbing life looks like when it is no longer determined by a competition calendar.
Anak Verhoeven reveals her recipe for success on the rock
That might interest you
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- Video: Anak Verhoeven is the first woman to walk the Joe Mama route (9a +)
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Credits: Cover picture Anak Verhoeven