Willow Petrobelli does Pal Este (8c)

Willow Petrobelli has made a great comeback after a spine injury sending Pal este (8c) as well as Via del Quim (8b+) in Margalef. (c) Filmbychen

Can you tell us more about the ascent and your climbing background?
I first tried the route three years ago when it was way out of my grade range but it instantly inspired me. The sequences are beautiful the whole way and the top crux just seemed unfathomable to link from the floor!! Then a year and a half ago I found out I had stress fractures in my spine and had to take 6 months completely off climbing or training of any kind. I started climbing again almost exactly a year ago now so to get my hardest send relatively soon after that is something I’m very proud of :)

I pulled back on Pal Este in October for 2 days and was instantly suprised how possible it felt! I was able to makes some big links and planned to come back at Christmas for 2 weeks to try and send. But sadly it rained the whole time and I only got 3 semi-dry days on the route. On the last day of that trip I managed to get past the high crux twice, falling off the very last move to a slightly wet hold. From there I knew it was just the matter of booking another trip :)

I’ve been climbing in Margalef for over 10 years, mainly with my mum. The rock, the place and the people are very very special. I wouldn’t have wanted to send anywhere else :)