Sasha DiGiulian © TED

Sasha Digiulian has made the first ascent of Rolihahla, ~8c/+, at Waterfall Boven, South Africa.

On Instagram, Sasha writes:

"I have been working on an open project, bolted by Andrew Pedley, here in Waterfall Boven, South Africa. Now I just did the first ascent :)

I am thinking that the grade is around 8c/+ and the name in my mind now is Rolihlahla. Nelson Mandela's middle name and also colloquially, "trouble maker!"."

As far as I know, and I can of course be mistaken, this is the hardest ever sport climbing first ascent by a woman. Beth Rodden's 2008 traditional test piece Meltdown in Yosemite, which has yet to see a repeat is called ~8c+, but I don't know if Rodden herself ever suggested a grade.

Sasha Digiulian is sponsored by: redbull, adidas, native eyewear, Five Ten, Petzl, entre prises and Life Strength