Michaela Kiersch | Necessary Evil 5.14c | First Female Ascent

Watch and listen to Michaela Kiersch as she makes the first female ascent of Necessary Evil (5.14c), a mythical route (in the Virgin River Gorge) first climbed by Chris Sharma in 1997. Often tried and rarely repeated, Necessary Evil ranks among the most storied and sought-after sport climbs in the world.
A Digital Stoke Media Production
Climber: Michaela Kiersch
Produced by: adidas Terrex/Five Ten
Produced by: Petzl
Produced by: John Long
Directed by: Ted Distel
Edited by: Ted Distel
Camera A: Ted Distel
Camera B: John Long
Riggers: Ryan Sheridan, Pricilla Mewborne
Music by: Pat Dimitri
Special Thanks to Adidas Terrex/Five Ten and Petzl for their support in the making of this video!
www.adidasoutdoor.com
www.petzl.com
Extras:
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[@matthewjanse5964]

Nice send Michaela! That was pretty badass when you ran it out. I like the way this video was filmed and the subtle little details, like the strike light becoming clear at the end. Well done production company.

[@DigitalStokeMedia]

Thanks Matthew! It's always fun to try to add a bit of a creative touch when we can. I loved that those lights just had the right feel to them and, helped visually accentuate her accomplishment.

[@MissSunflower242]

"Catch me if I fall!!!! I'm skippin it!!!" Straight BOSS

[@TimH123]

Interesting when M says that falling became part of her sequence. I think that’s more common for a lot of people than they realise.

[@DigitalStokeMedia]

I think you're right. It can become part of our routine. Definitely, something to strive to work past. :)

[@althea145]

I love the Golden Ticket video, and this one as well. I always come back to them. I love the mixture of climbing footage and her thoughts on it.

[@Chetjim9094]

I don’t think there’s any way to measure the stress you feel between skipping a clip, getting to the next one, drawing out the rope, and pushing it into the gate. So much running through your head before you clip. Awesome send

[@vazap8662]

Congratulations, fantastic send! Nice to hear what goes on in a climbers head during those moments in so much detail.

[@ortonnic4415]

Michaela Kiersch go for 5.15 already you can do it!!!

[@dr.s.p.]

Amazing presentation and the birthing of a mindset that supported her successful climb. Great video.

[@Chowbogan]

Anyone ever notice that really hard routes always have names that sound like rollercoasters and/or hotsauces?

[@loraz5343]

That was awesome. Great job, you're inspiring

[@DigitalStokeMedia]

Thank you, everyone, for watching! If you'd like to see more content from this channel, please follow us and hit that "Like" button! Thanks again!

[@garthtagge3526]

Good job girl!!!!

[@attiladasfilm]

Bravo ! Respect.. :)

[@albertomezquidallodra3526]

Awesome

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

Knowing how Chris climbed back then I'm guessing he basically campused it. Thanks for showing the opposite approach!

[@Tormentor]

I laughed at that one quite a bit ^^.

[@marcopervo]

I was thinking the same thing, but it looks like a technical route that required fancier footwork from the teenage phenom.

[@cymcintosh4417]

I love campusing vertical climbs

[@Nuttyirishman85]

It’s cool that you can still climb there. 5,000 dollar fine, if you try to climb something with the highway that close. Where I live anyway.

[@carolinamunozberrio3745]

greattttttt well done!!!! :)

[@dgdanielgoldman]

a couple of those moves just looked... heinous. Nice climb/video!

[@DigitalStokeMedia]

Thanks!

[@DarthDeth]

Made it look cruiser! Sek

[@johnarnold893]

Alex watches and smiles.

[@swobadass]

Thats a good climber holy shit. What a beast.

[@nicholasvaloff6064]

How long did Michaela project this route for?

[@MmeAdmin]

No idea if your hands sweat when you climb. My hands are if yours are not. Nice job!

[@bogdangrigoroiu]

Well done! Congratulations. Very very nice. Sweety and brave girl.

[@haydengutiw]

anybody else notice the epic belaying?

[@stealthop]

you killed it chick

[@jos9452]

You are so cool 😎

[@nathanrysnan960]

Tuolumne 5.9+

[@Henry-ok6cd]

Take a look at 'The power of Now'

[@jlehm]

Sick send, regardless of your sex. The accomplishment should stand on its own. I'm assuming the footage wasn't of the actual send, but fack that belay looked really tight in the dynamic moves of the v11 start.

[@08Shade80]

jlehm 1982 ... Looks fine to me

[@jlehm]

08Shade80 2:47ish for instance. Hard to see on phone. Easy on bigger screen.

[@DigitalStokeMedia]

This footage was of the actual send. Including the fall the attempt before.

[@CourtneyWarren]

Loved all the narration on your mind set during the climb. I find it really helps to understand that you can overcome all those fears and doubts and accomplish something this amazing, you just have to push not only your body but your mind to do it. Absolutely amazing climb!

[@georgegasmatron1]

Very insightful. I love it. I'm not a climber, just a spectator. But one of the things I love about climbing is how one can relate to the struggles and fails from other different scenarios. That obsessive mind is my mind too in other activities.

[@qnko9s]

Very cool video, I cannot believe how much you think about stuff while you climb(or at least it sounds like it). I really wanna go climbing with you some day! Keep sending, you are awesome

[@attiladasfilm]

Bravo Michaela ! :) And Bravo Guys its a insipring Movie...

[@jodylowe8476]

Dang, made it look easy. Smooth.

[@davec4261]

So excited after she made the last clip she shouted "take!" after weighting the rope! Amazing climb. "Catch me if I fall, skipping this clip!!"

[@farmerdave4000]

In and out for dinner! Wooot! 7:28 I can relate. Lol

[@blueandgreenslacks]

Very cool, nice videography. U got yourself a new sub.🤩

[@DigitalStokeMedia]

Thank you. It's appreciated!

[@julesybethmedlini]

Very fun and inspiring to watch!

[@chuffychufferson]

she got short roped on EVERY. SINGLE. CLIP. LOL that's insane. every time I was like there's no way he's gonna do it again....... Nice job btw. strong work. especially with the short ropes.

[@Laura147HLY]

Might be her preference to have the rope really tight and just deal with the slight short rope when clipping.

[@jrblackify]

@@Laura147HLY That's no one's preference at the elite level

[@net-twin-de]

Super viel Glück und Erfolg wünsche ich Dir Michaela ;)

[@ehlava]

Interesting hearing your mental battle as it does not show in your climbing, really smooth style, and no whacky grunting or goofy screaming during moves and/or falls!

[@ozzysmusic191]

The nerves are a distraction to the task at hand. That’s the best part you need a distraction because you’re so good. Once wisdom is applied everything is clear. Ascension

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

Just recently started watching these climbing videos and the women are completely amazing! Not one single female climber has ever one said anything like they wish they were stronger or taller or anything. I'm extremely impressed by all of them. #climblikeagirl

[@emiotomeoni1882]

great job all around - from the actual climb to the music in the piece - well done

[@rando4221]

Grew up in st George Mtn biking…now I’m attending grad school out of state and have started climbing. I can’t believe this was practically in my backyard and I had no idea! Anyway, went and walked up to the route today and my goodness. I’ve never seen a route so intimidating. Nice work!!

[@Miki-xh6fb]

Can someone please tell me the name of the song?

[@tdistel]

All songs created for this video were composed by Pat Dimitri. They are all original compositions.

[@sashaluinstra4090]

Amazing!!

[@CAIrondad]

OMG!!! Love it!! Love your smile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@andi611]

Brilliant, love the commentary!

[@rileypatterson1208]

nice music choice.

[@DigitalStokeMedia]

Gotta thank our composer, Pat Dimitri. A badass on the guitar. Thanks

[@Loveandlight-9143]

Nice video 😊

[@joelreisdelimareis4351]

Que via incrível!!!!!

[@iudeanjanos8785]

nice

[@dylanb2086]

What a cool climb

[@jeffv103]

So how long does the bolted, existing protection stay in place? Is it set in place the day of the climb?

[@tadams7821]

The bolts/hangers will stay there forever. The quickdraws clipped to them are often left hanging for extended periods of time if it's a really hard climb like this. If they aren't left there by some previous climber then Michaela or someone in her group will have to hang them. Then they normally stay up while she's projecting it, which could be a day, a week, or a season.

[@TR-nw8hz]

Let me just take my shirt off and casually climb in my sport bra in front of the camera

[@BrandenLaCour]

CONGRATS!

[@Historyfreak-f7o]

I love this young ladies grit and determination.

[@heywaitMarlee]

Michaela Kiersch is quickly becoming one of my favorite sport climbers. Being a lady climber myself I already have high standards lol. Love her stream of consciousness style juxtaposed with the footage of how she climbs. Which is beautifully. Great video.

[@DigitalStokeMedia]

Thank you ! Glad you like the vid!! Michaela is definitely amazing. Check out our vid on Molly as well if you'd like another take on female climbing. 🙂

[@wordpress4373]

pretty as well..

[@chad4853]

Great video . . Curious to know why so many professional climbers don't wear helmet's.

[@whiteyfisk9769]

Why the need to point out that its a female?? Gender is just a social construct

[@maltesefamily7041]

How do the guys without rope go down??

[@DigitalStokeMedia]

They'll climb something that they can walk-off. Something that has a trail.

[@PantsB4Squares]

"Catch me if I fall!" oRly thats what you do?

[@metanoiavision4365]

‘As a woman...’ ???? I mean really cmon with that whole woman thing please!!! Who freakin cares if your a man or a woman??!!!! If your a strong climber, than your a strong climber!! That’s it that’s all, no matter the gender, you can just feel stoked and proud of yourself. It’s only when YOU have to bring up your gender does it only make you sound more insecure about being a woman and a climber. Trust that no one cares about that elementary stuff anymore! I’ll watch guys and girls climbing hard routes but after watching whatever climber I don’t say after it, ‘well, she’s a girl climber so she’s no somehow better than the man climbers that also did the route’ . Man I’m so over your generation bringing up your gender!!! Know that it doesn’t matter!! Being a strong climber is just that, your a strong HUMAN climber.. and that’s so awesome to see. And to see you do a route that not many have done is also inspiring!! But always thinking that gender matters, cause you said it yourself, that you stress about this and that, being a girl and doing a hard route somehow makes YOU different or girls different or much more ‘special’ than guys that climb hard routes, doesn’t matter !!! Just be stoked that YOU yourself climbed it! That’s the great thing about climbing! Is that it’s an equal playing field! And so if your a guy and did it, that’s great! If your a woman and did it, that’s also great, period, end of gender classifying! Girls can be so insecure about their talent and I don’t understand why. I’m a guy and I can’t climb 5.14c but I don’t think about being a guy or a girl, I just think about trying to get stronger so I can climb a 5.12d someday and that’s all. Not trying to be mean but it just is silly to think that the gender thing makes you better because your a girl and climb a lot of hard routes that only ‘pro climber guys’ can climb. Be happy that you get paid to do what you love and can inspire anyone no matter girl or guy to do better. Anyway nice work! It’s awesome to see you accomplish your goals at the Gorge! God Bless and peace be with you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙂 climb 🧗‍♀️ on chica!! Next up 5.14d then to the coveted 5.15! I know you’ll get there one day with your work ethic!

[@chaseleary5515]

your sport climbing honey. relax.

[@ETMartians]

what is this comment supposed to mean? Shes sport climbing harder than 99.9% of climbers. 5.14c is an insane accomplishment for anyone. You can comment down when you climb harder than her (aka never). otherwise stfu

[@Kingofdafarm21]

Fuck this guy what a dik

[@kevinpilon11]

You're*

[@skip1860]

How come sport climbers don't hang gear when trad climbers clearly hang gear on all the hard routes, yet sport climbers always make some excuse