Ainhize Belar Barrutia Climbs 5.14d in Spain

Ainhize Belar Barrutia just climbed Harroputza 5.14d in Egino, Spain, at 19 years old. She 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 at the Baltzola cave in Bilbao, Spain. She was only 18 years old at the time.

Jorge Díaz-Rullo had this to say about her: “[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.”

8a.nu asked Belar about her recent 5.14d: 

Can you tell us more about the ascent? Harroputza is a route I’ve wanted to try since last summer. I tried a bit of it while coming down from Celedón (which is right next to it), and I really liked it. So this year, it was my goal in La Leze. I’ve gone a few months without climbing very hard and have been getting back into shape along the way, but I’ve really enjoyed it!

What are your autumn and winter plans? Now I want to train a bit and go to Cataluña, with the main objective of trying some routes I already tried last year: Victimas Perez (9a), Victimes del futur (9a), Ciudad de dios (9a). These are some that really motivate me. I also want to climb in Siurana and Oliana.