Caroline Ciavaldini joins Wild Country this year and as one of the few females to have climbed E9 (amongst other achievements) we are proud to have her on board.
Caroline’s start in climbing was very much in the French tradition with indoor climbing and competitions dominating. Yet in some ways her more recent trad climbing career matched James’ for the leaps (and leaps of faith) she made in moving from her first trad route, an E3, to her second, an E8, in the space of a few days and in the intimidating atmosphere of Pembroke’s sea cliffs.
Caroline on Requiem, E8 at Dumbarton Rock...on the first female ascent...
Caroline grew up on the tiny island of La Reunion, a dot on the map in the South Indian Ocean. She discovered climbing aged 12, at school, and quickly became obsessed by the competition world. For 10 years she focused on the Lead World Cup Circuit, training hard, traveling the world, but climbing mostly indoor. After realising her dreams of competition, she has redirected her motivation towards outdoor climbing, and now loves to give herself challenges in Trad, Sport, Multi-pitch. Outdoor climbing is, as she often says, her “second life “as a climber.
Her climbing CV is also pretty impressive: 4 time French Champion, she’s on-sighted 8b, climbed 8c+ sport routes, done 8b multi-pitch and is one of the few female climbers to have climbed E9 with her ascents of Chupacabra and Chimaca.
Caroline is married to longtime Wild Country climber James Pearson with him they form a very strong climbing partnership. They are a nomadic pair driven by the desire to explore and open new lines, and their commitment to trad climbing means they are the perfect athletes to head up Wild Country’s team.
You can find out more about Caroline on this video...
Caroline Ciavaldini Wild Country Ambassador - Athlete Profile from Wild Country on Vimeo.