Carlo Traversi completes The Big Island (8C)

Carlo Traversi, with a dozen 8C and beyond under his belt, has sent The Big Island (8C) in Fontainebleau. The 36-year-old has also done routes up to 9a+ and trad up to 8c+.

”An iconic line. Feeling grateful to have been able to climb it. Have tried it a few sessions over the last 10+ years and it has always felt impossible. I didn't really have any intention to try it this trip, but I found myself there early last month with good conditions and managed to do all the moves for the first time. It took quite a bit of work to refine everything and I managed to slip off the lip a few times, but was lucky to pull off one of those effortless feeling sends today before heading home in a few days. As with everything in the forest, it's always about positioning, and I learned some nice lessons with this one. Considering where I'm at these days I would say this is probably the easiest 8C I've climbed, but I still think it warrants the grade.”

Do you think you have goten stronger or what made you send this season?
Not sure what the difference was this year. I don’t feel much stronger at the moment but I feel like the new beta with the toe hooks makes the problem a little more about hanging and body positioning than pure power. It felt like more of a test of precise movement and positioning than strength. I’m happy that my ability to move on rock continues to improve.