I've you've seen the poster for the 2018 Ohrid Female Climbing Camp, you've seen Natalia. Her adventures were captured on this amazing photo by Goran Kuzmanovski - Kuzeto.

Natalia was already our guest and shared HerStory with us about about her love for sport climbing and bouldering but since than her progress has been staggering, redefining the limits of Macedonian Female Climbing. 

Just few days ago she was the first female to successfully climbed a 7c/+ route called "Srekna 40ka" at the Mavrovo Cave.

Natalija has been climbing for 5 years(since she was 17) and since the very beginning she drew our admiration with her talent and dedication and has numerous accolades from national and international competitions as member of the Macedonian Climbing Federation team, her top placing so far, a second place at the international competition in Mostar, Bosna and Hercegovina in 2019.

-"At the start of the Covid Pandemic, I completely dedicated my self to climbing natural rock. Up until now, my highest grade was "Separatizam" 7b in Mavrovo. First time I've tried the "Srekna 40ka" route was last year during the summer but I didn't succeed in climbing it. I had to wait another year to try again since there is no winter climbing in Mavrovo but it was worth it" - Natalia says.

In sport climbing the progress from 7b to 7c can be really difficult and it requires special training and dedication.

-"The boulder is ideal for training, you can adapt your training regimen to your goals, whether is strength, strength + endurance or just strength. Working on a pull-up bar also really speeds up your progress when it comes to pure strength."

We asked Natalia what advice would she give to all the women interested in climbing:

- "Its pretty simple" She says. "When it comes to sport climbing all you need to do is climb, a lot, you need to climb regularly with dedication and desire for the sport".