ASHIMA!!!

Ashima sent Matt Bosley's Nuclear War!!! another V14 for Shairaishi. Girl simply crushes it! Phenomenal!

I wish I could climb like a little girl :(

Ashima always reminds me to stay humble. No matter how strong you think you are, how perfect you think your technique is, there's always that 13 year old girl who can climb harder now than you will in your life.

Ugh. Kids.

Strange, but I feel actually no compunction to diminish Ashima's abilities by implying that were I a 13 years old, and with a petite frame, I could surely send just as well.....

If you watched 1000 random teenager/preteen kids (who have climbed), it would be impossible to say that Ashima is anything but a phenom.

But DO remember that yes, she is a 13 year old girl. And that she may be vulnerable to pained feelings at having her achievements discounted. Even when it comes from anonymous people on an internet forum thread.

Congratulations to Ashima on her climbs.

Tim: your first reply to this thread, unaccompanied by any supporting context, could easily (by most readers) be taken as a slight to her accomplishment based on her age & size.

Tim Lutz wrote:ahhh puberty.. to have tendons that repair in a day and 5% body fat

TheIceManCometh wrote:Tim: your first reply to this thread, unaccompanied by any supporting context, could easily (by most readers) be taken as a slight to her accomplishment based on her age & size.

Don't forget that she climbed a V11 and V12 earlier in the day as a warm up for her V14.

Also, she's 14 now (according to Google, anyway).

Tim Lutz wrote: now, if only she could do 5.9 offwidth at the Gunks...

She kind of gives meaning to "Climb like a girl"

I can only wish :)

Most of the other climbers on the short list of those doing V14 are grown adults. Her age makes it even more remarkable. Young kids tend to not have drive and focus, especially towards such advanced/adult things like rock climbing.

Tim Lutz wrote: now, if only she could do 5.9 offwidth at the Gunks...

I totally understand Tim here....

These young phenoms might be the future... hit 16 and retire... but for now seems that most peak around 25-30. Maturity of mind but with that youthful strength, flexibility, and recovery ability.

My hope is Ashima's future is as bright as I envision it. She's just a great kid.

I must confess to being a fan boy, in that, when I first got into climbing, 'Free Hueco' was my climbing porn and when Obe resurfaced as Ashima's coach on one of the Reel Rock Tour clips, I was an instant fan.

I will be fun to watch her go toe to toe with Kim Jain in the IFSC lead cups.