Climbing

Barbara ZANGERL

1988, Austria
Biography
Growing up in the heart of the Alps, Barbara (Babsi) has always had a close contact with mountains. Upon first contact with climbing, she was caught right away, and soon became one of the world's best boulderers. In 2009, due to a herniated disc, she had to adapt her climbing, and moved towards high-end sport and alpine climbing. Nowadays she practises all disciplines of the sport, loves to be outdoors and travel to climbing areas all around the world. She quickly gained prominence climbing some of the world's hardest bigwall in Yosemite and on the Eiger. As a next step, Babsi discovered the passion for expedition climbing, travelling to remote places like Pakistan, where her aim is to free climb Trango Tower at 6000m altitude, one of her biggest dreams for the future.
Accomplishments

5 free ascents of big-wall routes on El Capitan, Yosemite (many of them as the first woman)

First one-day free ascent of “Odyssee” (1200m, 8a+) on Eiger

First female to climb the "Alpine Trilogy" (three of the hardest alpine multi pitch routes in the Alps)

Sport climbs up to 9a

First ascent of Gondo Crack (8c, traditional)

First female bouldering 8b

Nat Geo Adventurer of the Year 2018