Sasha DiGiulian Cranks the First Ascent of a 5.14c in South Africa
Sasha DiGiulian has opened Rolihlahla (5.14c), which is now considered the hardest route at Waterfall Boven--one of South Africa's premier sport climbing destinations.
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![DiGiulian climbing <em>Rolihlahla</em> (5.14c). Photo by Andy Mann / 3 Strings Productions. ” />Sasha DiGiulian has opened <em>Rolihlahla</em> (5.14c), which is now considered the hardest route at Waterfall Boven–one of South Africa’s premier sport climbing destinations. <em>Rolihlahla</em>, which was dubbed the <em>Overlord Project</em> and bolted in 2008 by South African strongman Andrew Pedley, traverses a gorgeous and seemingly blank swath of orange sandstone. </p>
<p>“The route is one of the most spectacular lines I have ever climbed,” DiGiulian recently wrote in an e-mail to <em>Rock and Ice</em>. “It is also my first time doing a first ascent of a route and it was a fun experience to realize that something was possible.”</p>
<p>DiGiulian mentions that the route houses a variety of climbing. “The climb includes crack climbing, big falls, and some very technical portions that required my full commitment,” she says. “In comparison to other routes that I have done, I am comfortable with considering the route around 8c+ [5.14c]. </p>
<p>DiGiulian also notes that this may be the hardest first ascent of a sport climb achieved by a female climber. Writing on her 8a.nu scorecard, she elaborates: “As far as I know, and I can of course be mistaken, this is the hardest ever sport climbing first ascent by a woman. Beth Rodden’s 2008 traditional test piece <em>Meltdown</em> in Yosemite, which has yet to see a repeat is called ~8c+ [5.14c], but I don’t know if Rodden herself ever suggested a grade.”</p>
<p>As for calling the route <em>Rolihlahla</em>, DiGiulian explains that this is the middle name of South African revolutionary Nelson Mandela, and also colloqiually means <em>troublemaker</em>. </p>
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