Australian Climber Attempts Elite 9a+ Route
Former Olympic-track climber Angie Scarth-Johnson is attempting a 9a+ grade climb, one of the most challenging feats in sport climbing that few climbers worldwide have achieved. The Australian prodigy, who gained attention at age nine but stepped back from elite competition, is now returning to push personal limits beyond Olympic aspirations.
- The 9a+ grade, equivalent to 5.15a in the American system, represents one of the highest levels of difficulty in sport climbing, with only a very small number of climbers globally having successfully completed a route of this rating. - Scarth-Johnson has already climbed three routes graded 9a (5.14d), becoming the first Australian woman to do so. Her first 9a was "Victimes del Futur" in Spain at age 17. - She has a history of setting records, becoming the youngest person to climb grade 8b (5.13d) at age nine, and grade 8c (5.14b) at age ten. - After briefly pursuing a spot on the Australian Olympic team and narrowly missing qualification, she shifted her focus back to pushing her limits on outdoor rock. - Originally from Canberra, her family relocated to the Blue Mountains near Sydney to support her training on natural cliffs from a young age. - Now 18, she has moved to Europe and lives in Spain to be closer to the world's most challenging climbing routes and to connect with her Spanish heritage. - Her climbing journey began at age seven after she fell out of a tree, prompting her father to take her to a local climbing gym for a safer environment. - A film titled "Momentum" was released in 2023, documenting her progress and journey as a climber.
