Berthier and Hammelmüller tick Marcellus Wallace (8c)

Nolwen Berthier and Eva Hammelmüller have climbed Marcellus Wallace (8c) in Briançon. Nolwen has previously sent one 9a+ and Eva has done 13 routes 8c+ or 9a. (c) Fred DG

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
Berthier: For a while, I had this line filed under “out of reach” — literally and figuratively. But this summer, no more long routes on nice crimps. It’s time to become a real woman and switch to Brutal Sector.

Crazy but true, after some creative beta, I managed to send the cruxy section… only to fall on the so-called “easy but reachy” part. Luckily, the good vibes at the crag (and precise footwork — see the picture) did their job, and a few tries later, I clipped the chains. Stoked to tick this one — and maybe even open the female count on it too.

Hammelmüller did the second female ascent one week later. ”5 tries this year, but tried it the year before - cool, dynamic moves with an amazing crux move including a difficult heel hook!”