On September 26, spanish climber Ainhize Belar Barrutia sent Harroputza 5.14d (9a) in Egino, Spain. The climb was FA’d by Iker Pou in 2012 and has since seen a few repeats. At only 19 years old, Belar Barrutia is the first female ascensionist. “We’re back in the game,” she said on Instagram.
Belar Barruita made history in 2024 when she became the first Spanish woman in history to climb 5.15a with her send of route Iñi Ameriketan 5.15a (9a+) at the Baltzola cave in Bilbao, Spain. She was only 18 years old at the time.
After her Iñi Ameriketan ascent, one of the best sport climbers in the world, Jorge Díaz-Rullo had this to say: “[Belar] has not only made history of rock climbing in our country with the first Spanish female [5.15a], but she has managed to reach a level that very few have reached. I am sure that she will go a long way and that in the future she will surprise us with many more sends. Big congratulations on this well deserved send, Iñi Ameriketan. Very little has always been known outside Spain about the climbers we have, but the reality is that there are very strong climbers and very little recognized, especially the younger ones that are coming very strong.”
Harroputza is Belar Barruita’s third 5.14d. Her first of the grade was Begi Puntuan in Etxauri, Spain in 2023. In September of 2024, she sent Celedon 5.14d in Egino, only 8 days after Iñi Ameriketan. In August of last year, she also achieved her hardest onsight to date with a first-go send of Txirrin Txirran 5.14a in Spain.
Ainhize Belar Barrutia climbing Iñi Ameriketan 5.15a