Lucy Mitchell does José pine le gardien dans la cave (8c+)

Lucy Mitchell, with five 8c’s under her belt, has sent José pine le gardien dans la cave (8c+) in Lourmarin.

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
It was a bit of a dream come true really. I had tried the route last year, but failed to put the top section together, even though it is not meant to be the hardest part. This year I went with no expectations, just a short trip and just wanted to climb after a busy year of work. I got on the route on day 3 of the trip and the moves felt easier than last year, but I didn’t think I would be fit enough. I still couldn’t unlock the top section clean.

A tried it on a more humid / wet day and it felt much worse, but I did all the moves (which I think really helped me believe in good conditions I had a chance). I had 2 days of it all just feeling hard! But on my last go I managed to climb through the top section clean … finally. Just the cave at the start and I had a chance.

I watched Antoine Marie climb it as his warm down that evening … which put things in perspective :) It was inspiring to watch. The following day I got through the cave and somehow managed to hold it together and keep going to the top! Such an incredible route, with such incredible climbing.