Maya Ene, John Ene and Annie Sanders all complete 8c+ in The Red

Maya Ene, 13, and Anastasia Sanders, 16, have done Lucifer (8c+) in Red River Gorge (KY). Maya is the defending US Youth National Champion and Anastasia was #8 in the B & L World Championship in 2023. Maya’s father John, 49, who finished his World Cup career in 1999 by being #19 in Speed and #43 in Lead in the World Championship, has sent his first 8c+, Southern Smoke.

Maya: “Over the Thanksgiving week, I spent couple of wonderful days climbing with my friends. This was a great opportunity for me to try Lucifer (8c+) with Annie Sanders and Natalia Grossman. We all worked so hard on the route despite the numbness in our fingers due to the low temperatures. Sadly, at the end of the week my family had to go back home but later decided to return once the weather was warmer and more stable. Almost a week later, I got the exciting news that Annie Sanders sent Lucifer. I was so ready to go back and the weather was slowly showing signs of improvement.

Monday, December 4th I am back on Lucifer working it with Natalia – none of us sent. Tuesday (40 degrees) – Natalia sends (big applauses to her, especially because her fingers were frozen for the entire climb). Friday, our last day at Red, had the perfect conditions (60 degrees).

I warmed up a little on the hangboard and went for the send. I felt so solid on it, controlling all the moves, and before I know it, I am clipping the chains. SUPER EXCITED!!!! But wait a second.. the day is not yet over. Now, my father, John Ene, wants to take advantage of this gorgeous day (and possibly catch up to me😊). So, we run to his project, Southern Smoke (8c+) which he has been working on for the last couple of weeks. He is able to execute all the moves so precisely, so efficiently, so confidently and there he is clipping the chains. Double HURRAY!!! Now we can return home…. and start talking about our next projects.