Soline Kentzel makes rope-solo ascent of El Capitan’s 'The Nose'

A year after making pushing the boundaries of her trad skills with a repeat Le Voyage at Annot, France's Soline Kentzel has explored a different facet of climbing once again, this time with a noteworthy rope-solo ascent of The Nose on El Capitan in Yosemite. The 23-year-old spent 3 and a half days repeating the big wall, climbing French Free ie, using aid wherever necessary.

Remarkably, this was Kentzel's first proper experience at rope-soloing, as she had learnt the necessary techniques only a week before her ascent. Although this is undoubtely a fast learning curve, Kentzel is no newcomer to big wall climbs in Yosemite. In 2022, after truing and failing on the Nose with a friend, in April that year she teamed up with Seb Berthe to complete a free ascent of nearby Golden Gate. In December 2022 the pair climbed The Nose in under 10 hours and Kentzel was Berthe's partner for 90% of his repeat of the Dawn Wall at the start of this year.

Commenting on her recent rope-solo, Kentzel stated "Throughout the 3-and-a-half-day ascent, what I was hoping for unfolded before my eyes: the higher I climbed, the more peaceful I felt. I was so lucky to be up there before the seasonal traffic—I was the only big wall climber on the route! I've just been past by friends climbing the NIAD, sharing their amazing energy with me.

Thanks to all the women who inspire me day after day — especially Silvia Vidal, who made me dream about soloing El Cap through her writing in "Valley of Giants". Thanks to the valley team for pushing me and helping me feel safe enough to commit, and to Tutukanula for letting me pass by. Finally huge love to my besties, Seb Berthe and Laura Pineau, for being SO supportive and sweet — we’re such a great team. ILY"

 

 

 

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