# 13-Year-Old Kwon Gaeun Climbs First 5.15a

> South Korean climber Kwon Gaeun, 13, completes her first 5.15a route in Italy.
- Title: 13-Year-Old Kwon Gaeun Climbs First 5.15a · Gripped Magazine
- Summary: South Korean climber Kwon Gaeun, 13, completes her first 5.15a route in Italy. 13-year-old South Korean climber Kwon Gaeun successfully sent Pure Dreaming…
- Keywords: kwon gaeun, pure dreaming plus, 5.15a, arco, italy, south korean climber, climbing, Gripped Magazine
- Source: Gripped Magazine — https://gripped.com/news/13-year-old-kwon-gaeun-climbs-her-first-5-15a
- Author: Brandon Pullan
- Published: 2026-11-03T15:59:55+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kwon gaeun, pure dreaming plus, 5.15a, arco, italy, south korean climber, climbing
## Kwon Gaeun's First 5.15a
South Korean climber Kwon Gaeun, 13, completed Pure Dreaming Plus 5.15a in Arco, Italy for her first of the grade.

> Since the route leads straight into a roof right from the start, i was physically exhausted by the time i reached the final crux near the top
## Her Training Journey
Gaeun trained in Korea for months before the trip, overcoming hard training to achieve this grade.

> She has overcome hard training since she was very young, and the demanding power-endurance training we started several months before this trip seems to have paid off
## Father's Perspective
Her father, Younghye, a 2023 Ice Climbing World Cup winner, praised her endurance and dedication.

> I am extremely happy that gaeun sent this nine a plus five point fifteen a personally however the process matters more than the result itself
## Key takeaway

13-year-old South Korean climber Kwon Gaeun successfully sent Pure Dreaming Plus 5.15a in Arco, Italy, marking her first of the grade.