At just 23 years of age, young French climber Soline Kentzel completed a rope-solo ascent of the Nose on El Capitan. Over and above her physical prowess, Soline redefines women’s high-level performance by highlighting her quest for confidence and autonomy. She talks to us about this technically, physically and mentally demanding experience, which marked a decisive stage in her career.
« I can’t believe I climbed this huge, steep mountain all by myself “, says Soline Kentzel. The french young climber continued her prowess on the mythical El Capitan cliff by completing a rope solo ascent of the Nose, in three and a half days.
This wasn’t her first time on El Capitan, as in 2022 she completed the Golden Gate route (1000 m, 8a) at just 21 years of age and 6 years of climbing. She also climbed the famous trad route Le Voyage (8b+) in Annot last summer. But it’s also for her political, ecological and feminist commitment that Soline is making her mark. While she continues to develop her sporting activities, she is also a daily activist, highlighting important causes. Through her career, this young climber and activist is helping to reshape women’s top-level climbing.
Arriving in Yosemite – after a six-month journey by boat – the young woman set herself the challenge of completing the Pre-Muir Wall (8b max), a major route with an extremely demanding line, whose key pitches require the ability to handle dihedral and Dülfer like no other. In a duo with German