Alba Gómez onsights Mort Aux Chèvres Ext (8a+)

Alba Gómez Calatayud, who started climbing four years ago at age 21, has onsighted her first two 8a’s as well as the 60m long Mort Aux Chèvres Ext (8a+) in Kalymnos. (c) Nhoa Noir - Ulises en aixorta

Can you tell us more about your PB onsight?
It took me around 45 minutes to onsight the route. The rope felt quite heavy near the end — it was long and had a few zigzags, so the rope drag was pretty intense 😅. Still, it was an amazing, technical and sustained line, and that day I climbed very smoothly, feeling really connected to the rock. The day before, I had onsighted my first 8a, so I felt confident and motivated. Climbing like that, flowing and enjoying every move, reminded me why I love rock climbing so much: the focus, the calm, and that unique sense of freedom.

What is your climbing background?
I started climbing in 2021 at a climbing gym with friends, and later, when I moved to Elche, I focused first on bouldering and then on rope climbing. In 2024, I sent my first 8b, and in the summer of 2025 I had a great season in Rodellar, sending several 8b in just a few attempts. I compete at the regional and national level, and since September last year I have been training with Manu Esparcia. I currently live in Valencia and train at Alicante Vertical and Natural Climb, where I also work as a routesetter, combining my passion for climbing with route creation and coaching.