⚡ Fast Facts:
  • Climber: Brooke Raboutou (USA)
  • Route: Excalibur
  • Location: Drena, near Arco, Italy
  • Grade: 9b+ (5.15c)
  • Date of Send: April 5, 2025

The Climb: Excalibur

Located in the climbing mecca of Arco, Italy, Excalibur is not your typical sport route. Unlike the endless stamina-fests found in Spain, Excalibur is short, savage, and bouldery.

📏 Length: ~12 Meters (Short & Steep)
📐 Angle: 40° Overhanging
🧗 Moves: Approx. 18 intense moves
🔑 Crux: A fierce boulder problem guarded by micro-edges and a technical heel hook.

The route was first established by Stefano Ghisolfi in February 2023, followed by a second ascent from Will Bosi in February 2025. Raboutou secured the third ascent, solidifying the route's status as a global test piece for pure power.

A Milestone for Women's Climbing

Brooke Raboutou’s ascent is arguably one of the most significant achievements in sport climbing history. Before this send, the female grade ceiling stood at 9b (5.15b), first established by Angela Eiter in 2017 and repeated by a select few. By breaking into the 9b+ (5.15c) realm, Raboutou has pushed the standard forward once again.

Standing at 5'3", Brooke had to unlock entirely new beta compared to the taller previous ascensionists. She utilized her world-class bouldering strength to navigate the route's microscopic crimps and demanding body tension.

Brooke's Reaction

Writing on social media after the send, Brooke shared an emotional tribute to the process and the route itself:

“Dear Excalibur, Thank you for the lessons. From the start, I was drawn to you — something about your unrelenting intensity. Our relationship swayed over time... You forced me to confront my fears, detach from expectation, and feed every flicker of belief I could find. You taught me to argue with doubt until it began to doubt itself.”

— Brooke Raboutou via Instagram

Why This Matters

This ascent proves that the gap between the highest levels of male and female sport climbing is closing fast. With 9c (5.15d) being the current hardest grade in the world (held by only a few men like Adam Ondra, Seb Bouin, and Jakob Schubert), Brooke is now just one notch below the absolute cutting edge of human capability.

After taking Silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Raboutou has seamlessly transitioned her plastic-pulling power to real rock, cementing her legacy as one of the most versatile and accomplished climbers of her generation.