Ashima Shiraishi Becomes Second Female To Climb V14

7-11-14 Ashima Shiraishi has become the second female to climb V14 ever! Yesterday, Shiraishi sent Golden Shadow (V14) in Rocklands, South Africa. The route was originally put up by Fred Nicole in 2004 with a suggested grade of V15, but was downgraded as it saw further ascents. The 13-year-old climbing marvel also repeated Beta Move (V13) during her trip, which gives her five V13s in her impressive career this far.

Shiraishi announced her send on Instagram, writing, “I still can’t believe I did this! I sent my project Golden Shadow 8b+ (V14). My first V14!”

The first woman to boulder V14 was Japanese climber Tomoko Ogawa in 2012. Ogawa completed Catharsis (V14) in Shiobara at age 34, after three years of projecting. Only two years prior in 2010, Angie Payne was the first woman to break into the V13 grade with The Automator in RMNP. Since then a handful of strong women have achieved V13, with Shiraishi holding the most ticks.