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Monique Forestier cracks the grade 31 barrier 21-Jul-2003 At 8:48:09 AM Mike

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From Simon Carter at Onsight Photography:

Monique Forestier has become the first Australian woman to climb a grade 31. This is the hardest technical route ever climbed — or established — by an Australian woman. The route, called Mission to Mars, is located at Aliens’ Domain (AD), near Bowens Creek in the Blue Mountains. The route would be graded 5.13d in the US scale, and 8b in the French. Currently in Australia the hardest climb is graded 33.

Monique named the route Mission to Mars in keeping with the outer space theme of the cliff. It also hints at the hard and technical challenge that the route presents. It is approximately 23 metres long and overhangs by 10 metres. It would be termed a “resistance” route by climbers as it requires a long continuous sequence of strenuous moves using very small holds and with little opportunity for rest.

Monique suceeded on Mission to Mars on Friday 11th July 2003. Garth Miller made the second ascent of Mission to Mars on the following Wednesday and confirmed the grade to be 31. Several other top Blue Mountains climbers who have attempted it have also confirmed the route’s difficulty.

Two months ago Monique became only the second Australian woman to climb a route of grade 30 difficulty. That route, known as Pigs in Space, is also located at the same cliff. The new route Mission to Mars shares the same start and the crux of Pigs in Space but adds a more difficult finish. It took Monique nine days of attempts to climb Pigs in Space and a further eight days to lead climb the “link-up” incorporating the more difficult finish.

Right: Photograph of Monique on Mission to Mars. To see more and larger photographs please visit the Onsight Photography web site news item.