Form test passed: Katherine Choong climbs Les Nerfs à Vif (8c +)

The Swiss climber Katherine Choong has scored the route Les Nerfs à Vif (8c +) in the French climbing area La Verrière. The line was a kind of form check for the Jura after a short winter break. Now she is optimistic about her big multi-pitch projects.

Katherine Choong is one of the strongest climbers in Switzerland. At the same time, she is one of the smaller athletes, which makes it difficult for her to find suitable projects for her size. In search of an 8c+/9a route for a spring form check, Cédric Lachat opened it up Les Nerfs a Vif (8c+) in French The Canopy attentively.

«Indeed, no morpho moves, just physical sections on tufas, undergrips and ledges, a long endurance fight to the end, the perfect route for me!»

Katherine Choong

Fight against the pump

In February, Katherine Choong spent seven days in Les Nerfs à Vif (8c +), but ended up falling out on the last hard moves. In April she returned to France to complete this capital.

Wet grips in the crux and a painful tear in her finger didn't make this task any easier. However, the Jurassic woman was not discouraged. The first attempt of the day ended in the first crux. On the second attempt, she made it just below the deflector.

“I was still pumped from the previous attempt. As the sun grew stronger, I knew I would only have a short break before the final attempt."

Katherine Choong

So she fought like hell. "I overcame the first crux, the second, the third and reached the last leg of the route." She was about to fall on her last legs, but managed to clip the deflector.

«What a fight, what emotions! I am so happy and grateful for such experiences."

Katherine Choong

Next stop: Lauterbrunnen

With Les Nerfs à Vif, Katherine Choong passed her form test with flying colors after the short compulsory winter break. Nothing stands in their way at the start of the multi-pitch season. Nothing less than the Route Fly (550m, 8c) is on her menu this year.

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Credits: Cover picture Melanie Cannac

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