🎉 Historic Ascent in Madagascar
In June 2025, climbers Sasha DiGiulian and Marianna “Mango” Ordóñez made history by completing the first female free ascent of Bravo Les Filles, a legendary 600-meter big wall route graded 8b (5.13d) on Tsaranoro Kelly in Madagascar.
🧗♀️ The Route’s Legacy
Originally established in 1999 by an all-star women’s team: Lynn Hill, Nancy Feagin, Kath Pike, and Beth Rodden.
Despite freeing all but one pitch, the team couldn’t link the crux, grading it 5.12c/A0.
The first full free ascent came in 2004 by Spanish brothers Eneko and Iker Pou, who confirmed the difficulty at 8b.
🌍 DiGiulian & Ordóñez’s Journey
The duo arrived in Madagascar in early June and began working the route immediately.
They endured spicy runouts, dense jungle approaches, and nights on a portaledge.
DiGiulian sent the crux pitch on her first try, then onsighted the final 200 meters to the summit.
Ordóñez, though new to trad leading, climbed confidently and shared leads throughout the ascent.
💬 Reflections & Impact
DiGiulian described the climb as “an adventurous one… full of spicy run outs til the very end”.
The ascent honors the original team’s vision and pushes forward a legacy of female-led big wall climbing.
Ordóñez called it “a major personal accomplishment,” and the pair hopes to inspire future generations of women climbers
