Antoine Le Menestrel


Quick Info

Nationality: FR
Hardest Sport (Worked): 8b+
Hardest Sport (Onsight): 8a
Notable Partnerships
Marc le Menestrel

Contributors: remus
Added on 7th February 2021. Last updated on 14th May 2024.

Quick Info

Nationality: FR
Hardest Sport (Worked): 8b+
Hardest Sport (Onsight): 8a
Notable Partnerships
Marc le Menestrel

Features in Statement of Youth.

https://www.facebook.com/climbing.in.the.80s/photos/a.270388289694020/446421228757391

Contributors: remus
Added on 7th February 2021. Last updated on 14th May 2024.

Pics + Vids

Added at 09:02 on 07 February 2021
Added at 20:02 on 28 February 2021
Revelations (Pre-1999) (8a+)
Added at 21:05 on 14 May 2024
La Rose et le Vampire (8b, FA)
Added at 08:02 on 27 February 2021
Revelations (Pre-1999) (8a+)
Added at 21:05 on 24 May 2021

Ascents

6 recorded ascents.

Year Climb Grade Style Date
1984 Chouca 8a+ Lead | worked 1984
First ascent.
1985 La Rose et le Vampire 8b Lead | worked 1985
First ascent.

This wonderful line is a vampire. Her holds cut through my fingers, they skin them raw and I lose my fingerprints, my identity! Her holds, I grab them like a stem covered in thorns in order to climb up to the calyx of the flower, my sweat waters it. This line has taken me over and it’s all I can think of, all I want is her. I have been vampirised. This line is thirsty for my blood to feed her own beauty, I live solely for her.

This cross-through opens my face to the world. Thanks to it, I offer you a rose. With you who are watching me, I create an emotional team, I become an artist. [1]

[1] https://fanatic-climbing.com/il-etait-une-voie-once-upon-a-line-la-rose-et-le-vampire/

[2] https://www.facebook.com/climbing.in.the.80s/photos/a.270388289694020/1661583483907820

Revelations (Pre-1999) 8a+ Solo | worked 8th Aug 1985

An astonishing ascent of one of the hardest routes in the UK at the time. The ascent was recreated by Ned Feehally in Statement of Youth.

Around 4 o'clock, an impulse tells me that now's the time, everything is there, near. I am at the foot of the route, my head is empty, my body filled with concentration. JB [Jibe Tribout] leaves me for the first boulder and will take pictures. The moves are linked in perfection; no hesitation, no unnecessary movement, no tension, just total concentration all the way to the top. I climbed into a state of grace as I had never before climbed. A small sling around the waist allows me to descend into the arms of JB. Once again, our friendship is deepened. I'm not aware of anything except that I am happy. [1]

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/antoine_le_menestrels_diary_soloing_revelations-12001

1986 La Rage de Vivre 8b+ Lead | worked 1986
First ascent.
1987 Le Spectre du Sur-Mutant 8b+ Lead | worked 1987
Samizdat 8a Lead | onsight 1987

The first ever 8a to be onsighted.

Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
La Rage de Vivre 8b+ Lead | worked 1986
First ascent.
Le Spectre du Sur-Mutant 8b+ Lead | worked 1987
La Rose et le Vampire 8b Lead | worked 1985
First ascent.

This wonderful line is a vampire. Her holds cut through my fingers, they skin them raw and I lose my fingerprints, my identity! Her holds, I grab them like a stem covered in thorns in order to climb up to the calyx of the flower, my sweat waters it. This line has taken me over and it’s all I can think of, all I want is her. I have been vampirised. This line is thirsty for my blood to feed her own beauty, I live solely for her.

This cross-through opens my face to the world. Thanks to it, I offer you a rose. With you who are watching me, I create an emotional team, I become an artist. [1]

[1] https://fanatic-climbing.com/il-etait-une-voie-once-upon-a-line-la-rose-et-le-vampire/

[2] https://www.facebook.com/climbing.in.the.80s/photos/a.270388289694020/1661583483907820

Chouca 8a+ Lead | worked 1984
First ascent.
Revelations (Pre-1999) 8a+ Solo | worked 8th Aug 1985

An astonishing ascent of one of the hardest routes in the UK at the time. The ascent was recreated by Ned Feehally in Statement of Youth.

Around 4 o'clock, an impulse tells me that now's the time, everything is there, near. I am at the foot of the route, my head is empty, my body filled with concentration. JB [Jibe Tribout] leaves me for the first boulder and will take pictures. The moves are linked in perfection; no hesitation, no unnecessary movement, no tension, just total concentration all the way to the top. I climbed into a state of grace as I had never before climbed. A small sling around the waist allows me to descend into the arms of JB. Once again, our friendship is deepened. I'm not aware of anything except that I am happy. [1]

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/antoine_le_menestrels_diary_soloing_revelations-12001

Samizdat 8a Lead | onsight 1987

The first ever 8a to be onsighted.

Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade