Eva Hammelmüller does La prophétie des grenouilles (9a)

Eva Hammelmüller, who climbed three 9a’s last year, has finished her competition season and spent four weeks in Briançon, where she did eught routes graded 8b+ and harder as well as three 8a+ flashes. Her latest sends were: (c) Felix Mast

La prophétie des grenouilles (9a) (logging it as a hard 8c+): ”This route has it all!! Hard moves on crimps, heelhooks, toehooks, kneebars, a funky feet-first sequence and a spicy ending on slopy holds. Fell one time with the finishing jug in my hands, but could send it on my first go the next day. Definitely did feel the nerves after that go, as I knew it was possible, but there was still a lot of work (or about 100 moves) to do to make it to that point a second time. Really proud to have ticked this steep, long, and powerful line! Took me three days after to send it after having climbed ‘Une Arquée pour le criquet’, with which it shares the first few quickdraws. ”

Une Arquée pour le criquet (8c): ”This route is just one of a kind!! Steep, with a stunning background and powerful moves! Loved it!”

Asproman (8a+): ”What. An. Experience. Thanks Felix for taking me on this little adventure - first hard multipitch route for me, and wow did I enjoy it!! Led every pitch graded 7c and higher, OS all the 7c+ and sent the crux pitch on my 2nd try. Never expected the pitches to be that great to climb. The rock quality is superb and the whole wall is crazy steep. 8a/+”

Can you tell us more about the trip and your plans for the autumn?
I simply love France, not only for the climbing (which is, of course, worldclass), but also for the beautiful nature, the countless lakes, the delicious boulangeries, the language…

There are many good climbing areas around Briançon, where climbing in summer doesn’t feel like a constant heat-battle, and that’s why we decided to spend all our summer holidays here. We wanted to check out quite a few different climbing areas, and there are still so many more to discover! The best decision was to bring our bikes, so we could explore the mountains and countryside apart from climbing on our restdays.

I have decided to not do any more comps this season and to make the most of autumn by focusing on hard sport climbing projects and maybe a bit of multipitch climbing, too. I am very much looking forward to tackle these outdoor projects near home and to push my limit on hard sport climbs!