Header photo: Ashima on Open Your Mind Direct 9a/+ in Santa Linya, Spain. Credit: Parker Alec Cross.

OutdoorFest presenting sponsor CLIF Bar is proud to have recently welcomed the amazing Ashima Shiraishi as a Team CLIF Bar athlete, and we could not be more psyched to have her speak at festival’s closing party. Let’s get to know this wonder kid a bit!

QUICK FACTS:

Ashima Shiraishi (born April 3, 2001 in New York, NY) is an American rock climber. She is known for being one of the strongest young climbers - male or female - of all time. She started climbing in Central Park at age six. The New York Times has called her a Bouldering Phenom. Outside Magazine has described her as a Young Crusher. At age 13 she became the first woman, and youngest (male/female), to climb a sport route with a difficulty grade of 9a+ (5.15a). Very few athletes in the world can climb at this level as both sport climbing grading systems and bouldering grading systems only have two additional, and more difficult, grades that Ashima has not climbed.

Earliest Climbing Memory: At 6 years old, I climbed this V0 at Central Park at least 20 times in one day.

A Funny Experience: When I was 6 or 7, I was playing on the monkey bars and when I fell off, one of my little teeth fell off. A few months later, I did it again!

What are you listening to? Beyoncé , Rolling Stones

What are you reading? A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Words to Live By: Carpe Diem

MORE ON ASHIMA

Ashima was recently featured in:

The Guardian: Reaching new heights: girl ascends to rock-climbing royalty – at only 13

Yahoo Beauty: 13-Year-Old Ashima Shiraishi is a Rock Climbing Phenom

Huffington Post: At 13 Years Old, Ashima Shiraishi May Have Just Made Climbing History

Watch Ashima speak + climb:

Connect with Ashima:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Join the OutdoorFest Final Party to meet Ashima in person!