Duel is a boulder that gained additional fame because it was the first 8a/ V11 boulder climbed by a woman.
Facts and Figures of Duel
- Location: Franchard Cuisinière, Fontainebleau, France
- Rock type: Sandstone
- Grade: 8A/ V11
- First ascent: Philippe Le Denmat, 1996
- Historic ascent: First female ascent of an 8A, Catherine Miquel, 12 October 1998
- Style: Slab
First ascend of Duel
Philippe Le Denmat was the first person to ascend this boulder in 1996. Located in Franchard Cuisinière, Fontainebleau. A slab of which no one ever doubted the grade. Later a more harder problem was established just left of called Duel Direct. An 8A+ climbed first by Emmanuel Ratouis.
By some guide books this is one of the most beautiful slabs in the world. .
Catherine Miquel
Two years after the first ascent in October 1998, Catherine Miquel climbed Duel, a breaking point in history, the first female ascent of an 8a.
Sources
- Climbing History Specialist record for the problem, including its location, grade, first ascent by Philippe Le Denmat in 1996, Miquel’s ascent in 1998.
- Climbing History — Catherine Miquel. Records Miquel’s first female ascent and other notable ascents.
- Written in Stone , 1 April 2024. Podcast episode revisiting Miquel’s career and the significance of her ascend.
- Bleau.info — Franchard Cuisinière sector. Sector information and problem listings.
- https://bleau.info/cretesud/526.html
- https://www.boolder.com/en/fontainebleau/cuisiniere-cretes-sud/7872-duel-direct
- https://bleau.info/c/524.html