Caroline Sinno logs 32 boulders 8A to 8B

Caroline Sinno, with six 8B’s under her belt, has added 32 boulders 8A and beyond to her ticklist which she has sent during the last three years. The 40-year-old did her first 8A in 2012.

How come you sent your first 8A at age 28 and then peaking around 40?
Because I was not into performance climbing when I was younger. I was multi sports, living in the alpes and also skiing. Also, I did long studies where it’s impossible to climb (engineering schools and master in marketing management at ESSEC). I started again after my studies and got hooked.

Which did you send the fastest and which took most sessions? Any long time projects?
I had my best year last year when I could climb sometimes 8A in one session which is very hard in Font. Prince Charles (8B) didn’t take me long, maybe 4/5 sessions. Most sessions spent was maybe Tristesse assis (8A+) which is more 8B to me.

My longest projects are two 8B+' that I have been trying a lot; Peak power and La valse intégrale. I also did a FFA of scary high ball, Le desert des Tartares (8A) this year. (c) Psambuy photos

Which was your latest hard send?
My last one was Vilaine biquette (8A+). It’s an endurance boulder with a 7A then 7C then 7B finish. It’s pretty hard and not repeated much. Perfect for the summer. It’s fun because you finish in red number 2 at Rocher canon. A classic hard circuit.

Can you tell us more about Fontainbleu circuits?
Circuits are boulders traced in advance in a Font climbing area. They work by colour and scale like in gyms; Yellow, orange, blue, red, white and black. They are convenient for beginners and warm-ups.

Some circuits are super classic in Font like the red one in Isatis up to 55 numbers traversing the whole area on the best boulders. Cosiroc association is tracing them and repainting them. Everyone can submit a circuit if it’s well done. I would like to trace a circuit for women somewhere. It would be nice to add it. With our difference of morphology, it wouldn’t be the same movements. It could be fun to offer a different vision in setting outside.

Do you have any established circuits you are eager to send?
Yes, the red one in Isatis which is long and sustained also a dream of doing the black of Cuisinière! Finishing in Duel! It would be crazy. Usually, people try to climb them during one day.

The red circuit is a tiring one with 62 boulders. Not super hard but long. The black circuit in Cuisinière is shorter but one of the hardest, 34 boulders but within 7B grade and finishing with Duel 8A.