Sasha DiGiulian

Sasha DiGiulian is an American professional rock climber known for her achievements in outdoor sport climbing, big wall ascents, bouldering, and competitive climbing. She achieved early international prominence by winning the female combined gold medal at the 2011 International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Championships in Arco, Italy, as well as the bouldering gold medal at the same event. Over her career, she has secured multiple US National Championships and PanAmerican titles.

Born on October 23, 1992, DiGiulian grew up attending the Potomac School near Washington, D.C., and participated in figure skating before taking up rock climbing. She began climbing at the age of six and entered competitions a year later. By age 11, she had completed her first 5.13b (8a) route. Prior to graduating from high school, she redpointed Southern Smoke and Lucifer, both 5.14c routes located in Kentucky's Red River Gorge.

After high school, DiGiulian took a gap year to focus on global outdoor climbing and international competitions. In 2011, she redpointed Pure Imagination (5.14c) in the Red River Gorge, achieved several 5.14c redpoints, and completed onsights of 5.14a and 5.13d routes. She maintained an undefeated streak in the junior Pan American Championships from 2004 to 2010, and remained undefeated as the Female Open PanAmerican Champion from 2010 through 2018. At the 2012 Panamerican Championships, she earned three gold medals and the overall title.

DiGiulian's outdoor accomplishments feature more than 30 first female ascents and numerous significant first ascents across the world. In 2013, she became the first American woman to redpoint Era Vella (5.14d) and established the first female ascent of Bellavista (5.14b). She became the first woman to free-climb Magic Mushroom on the Eiger's north face in 2015. Her subsequent major climbs include the first female ascent of Rolihlahla in South Africa, a big wall in Brazil, Yosemite's The Misty Wall, and the first female free ascent of Mora Mora in Madagascar alongside Edu Marín i Garcia in 2017. In 2025, she and Marianna Ordóñez achieved the first female free ascent of Bravo Les Filles in Madagascar, and DiGiulian became the first woman to free-climb El Capitan's Platinum Wall (The Direct Line).

Beyond climbing, DiGiulian graduated from Columbia University in 2016, majoring in non-fiction creative writing and business. She produced the film *The Trilogy*, documenting her ascent of three Canadian Rocky Mountain big walls in one season, published her memoir *Take the Lead* in 2023, and appeared in the 2024 film *Here to Climb*. She has actively advocated for environmental protection, outdoor recreation, and gender equality in sports, testifying before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources in 2023 and participating in the Climb the Hill initiative.

DiGiulian has received accolades such as the Arco Rock Legend Award, *Glamour* magazine's Top College Women of the Year, The Golden Pitons, and the American Alpine Club's Cutting Edge Athlete Award. She serves on the board of the Women's Sports Foundation and acts as an ambassador for organizations including the Access Fund and the American Alpine Club. In 2023, she married filmmaker Erik Osterholm.