Debbie Carrasquer does Midtown Brown Low (8A+)

Debbie Carrasquer, who started climbing at age 27 in 2016, has completed Midtown Brown Low (8A+) in Delete, after having done the original 8A start two weeks ago. ”I guess I ended up coming for more. These extra moves made that first move on the original line so much harder for me. I had to use crappier intermediates. I am so done…”

The 36-year-old Spaniard did not fully focus on bouldering until 2021, having started with trad climbing in Yosemite before moving on to sport climbing, where she did an 8a+ in 2020.

Can you give us your full story about your PB ascent?
I’ve never been drawn to crimps, which limits options around Tahoe, so I prefer compression—and lately, roofs. If I was going to push my limits, it had to be on a style I loved. That’s the only way I’d keep showing up through the tough sessions and low points.

After an intense training cycle and some sessions at Priest Draw, I built the fitness to push myself at The Basement—a volcanic cave hidden in Kirkwood at 8,200 feet [2,500m]. The route has about 50 moves, and the rock is razor sharp, so early sessions were about managing skin and building endurance on easier lines. I’ve lost count of how many rolls of tape I went through, how many times I banged my back against the roof, got bitten by mosquitoes, or fell mid-route—but every moment was worth it.

What made this climb special wasn’t just the difficulty—it was the mental shift. Convincing myself I deserved to try, that I belonged there, that dreaming bigger was worth it even without guarantees. I let go of pressure and focused on showing up, even after draining 60-hour workweeks.

With every session, I watched the forest around me change—and somehow, I was changing too, shaped by the journey. Then, one day, it all clicked. The extension made the first move much harder, forcing a big reach from a lower position. I had to use a tough intermediate hold to make it work. The rest of the route had unique beta I’d pieced together, which added moves but made it more manageable. I usually get only three good tries per session—the send came on my third.

Afterward, I sat above the cave, taking in the same landscape I’d seen so many times before—but this time, it looked different—renewed and peaceful. Or maybe I was.

Did you climb it mainly by yourself?
I climbed it alone yes, so it was tough carrying pads up and down everytime. Since I moved to Tahoe area it’s been hard for me to build community specially with my working schedule, but either way I try to do the best I can with the time I have so I go out every chance I get even if it is 6-8am or 6-8pm.

How come you are working 60 h per week?
I have two jobs. One is full time related to HR and the other is Spanish freelance translator. I moved to the US as an immigrant with $20 in my pocket to built a new life so it’s been hard to save up from scratch to have a life in the US. I had very low paying jobs for a long time. So I’m trying to build up

Did you have any sort background when you started climbing?
Honestly growing in Spain was tough for me. My family was barely making it, we were below the poverty line, 4 siblings I was the youngest. There was no time for sports or hobbies so I knew studying would be my only way to have better life than my parents so I just studied until I got scholarships to start studying English.

Climbing was my first sport at 27 years old. So I am very motivated to finally get my opportunity to get outside and have fun even if it is as an adult.

How does a normal climbing week look like?
I usually have training cycles of 2-3 months in Winter and Summer then performance Spring and Fall. If the week is during performance I will have 3 performance sessions of 3h each and the rest I will do 2h hikes and some weights for maintenance like bench or isolate some muscles to be balanced.

If the week is during training cycle then it usually is 2-3 climbing specific sessions of 2-3h, 2 days of weight lifting (bench, squats, arms, legs) a lot of core and some cardio. Then 1 day outside for skin maintenance and volume and being at higher elevation and the rest 1-2 days of rest so go light hiking or fully chilling.

What is coming up next and what about summer plans?
In the future, I’d love to try the other 8a+ and maybe even the 8b in that cave. But for now, I’m going to indulge in a well-deserved Summer break! I have saved enough to go back visit my family in Spain after 3 years without seeing them so I am very excited to finally be taking some time off from work after so long. I will be swimming in the Mediterranean, visiting Basque Country and hanging out with some chilhood friends, oh and eating yummy food as much as I can. I will try taking a bit of a climbing break but I’m sure I will get on some climbing even if it is 100 degrees (40 celcius) haha.