Janja Garnbret claims her third 8c onsight, 'Popolni mrk' at Mišja peč in Slovenia

After becoming the first woman in the world to onsight 8c in 2021 with back-to-back ascents of Fish Eye and American Hustle in Oliana, Spain, Janja Garnbret has now onsighted 8c again.

This time, the 25-year-old double Olympic gold medalist achieved the feat on home turf at Mišja peč in Slovenia, where she made quick work of Popolni Mrk. The route in question is slightly overhanging, highly technical, and features a fingery crux at half height followed by another stopper move higher up, ensuring that it is one of the least repeated routes of its grade at this crag. 

Taking advantage of prime conditions, Garnbret shared on her social media that she was particularly proud of this ascent, stating, "I consider this my hardest one till now."

8c is currently the highest grade onsighted by a woman. Just last week Laura Rogora made headlines with her first-go ascent of American Hustle in Oliana, Spain. Like Garnbret, the Italian climber has now onsighted three 8c's, with the other two being Ajo Crudo at Cicera, Spain, in 2023, and Spanish Caravan at La Ramirole in Verdon, France, in 2024. The only other woman to have onsighted 8c is South Korea’s Chaehyun Seo, who achieved this feat in 2022 with her ascent of L’Antagonista at Montsant, Spain.

Link: IG Janja Garnbret, CAMP