Andrine Skilbrei does La Rubia (8c+)

Andrine Skilbrei started climbing at age 19 and now seven years later she has done La Rubia (8c+) in Villanueva del Rosario after only some ten odd sessions. (c) Henning Wang

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
I am very happy about the ascent. I was both prepared for, and expecting a longer process than it turned out to be in the end. This is my first time trying a route of this magnitude, both grade-wise and length-wise, and I must admit I was a little hesitant to even start at first. After just one session, however, I was already hooked and committed to giving it a real try. It was a bit challenging at first with very cold weather and very cold rock, as well as the crux holds being constantly wet, but luckily the weather got a bit warmer and the holds dried up just as I had all the sequences worked out and was ready for proper red-point attempts. Finishing the route and clipping the anchor felt great but in the end almost a little bittersweet as I really enjoyed climbing on it. This route is definitely a beauty, with everything from crimps to endless tufa climbing, it really feels like an adventure to climb.

What's your climbing background?
I was first introduced to climbing seven years ago, but it was not until five years ago, after moving to Sogndal to study that I really started to climb a lot. At that point, I was climbing around 6b+, but I've had fairly steady progression since. I've always focused mainly on climbing outside as that is what I enjoy the most. So far I've mostly been sport climbing, but I also enjoy trad climbing a lot.

How do you train?
I don't really follow any plan or schedule. I train mainly by climbing on the rock, at least for the last few years, but I do train indoors sometimes when I'm at home.

What are your 2023 plans?
I am staying in Spain for another month or so before driving back to Norway. I then plan to spend a bit of time in Sogndal before moving up to Flatanger for a month or so in May/June. During summer I won't climb as much as I will be in the mountains working as a mountain guide/climbing instructor. After that, I've not made plans yet beyond finishing my master's.