First-ever woman to climb boulder grades of 7C (V9), 7C+ (V10), 8A (V11), and 8A+ (V12)
Catherine "Cathy" Miquel is a French artist and rock climber who specialised in bouldering. She is known for being the first-ever woman in the world to solve boulder problems at the grade of 7C (V9), 7C+ (V10), 8A (V11), and 8A+ (V12).
In 1998, she was the first woman to solve an 8A (V11) boulder when she climbed the Duel at Franchard Cuisiniere, Greater Fontainebleau.[1][2] In 2002, she was the first woman to complete an 8B boulder problem, when she climbed Trafic in the Bois des Hauts de Milly.[3] It would be over 15 years before another woman would ascend Trafic.[4]
In 2003, Miquel began creating ephemeral art installations in the Fountainebleau forest, where many of her bouldering feats were accomplished. The art uses found materials and is designed in a way to respect nature, without polluting the environment.[5]
Forest of Fontainebleau, where Miquel would make her most famous bouldering ascents.
