Brette Harrington (born 1992) is an American professional rock climber and alpinist based in Lake Tahoe, California and British Columbia, Canada.
Harrington notes that club members found climbing "intrinsically special," engaging in its challenge for personal reasons.
[1] Harrington is an accomplished traditional climber, with completed routes including Grand Illusion 5.13c (8a+) on Sugarloaf in Lake Tahoe, and The Free Muir 5.13c (8a+) on El Capitan in Yosemite, California.
In 2016, Harrington, Leclerc and Ryan Johnson made the first ascent of the Northwest Turret (5.13a, A2) on Great Sail Peak of Baffin Island, Canada.
"[10] In early April 2019, Harrington, Ines Papert and Luka Lindič made the first ascent of a new route, The Sound of Silence on the East Face of Mt.
[11] Harrington gained recognition when, in February 2015, she free-soloed Chiaro di Luna (5.11a) on Aguja Saint Exupery, Patagonia.
She and her climbing partner Mayan Smith-Gobat were able to work on some of the critical crux pitches, but were turned back from the summit by bad weather.
Film-maker Nick Rosen of Reel Rock noted that he found the subject compelling as a story of a huge talent just emerging, "What's special here is that we captured the first year of full-time climbing of a woman who is probably going to be a legend.
[20] Two of Harrington's 2018 routes were included as significant ascents that year by representatives for the Piolets d'Or prize, indicating possible contention for the prestigious award.
[23] Harrington's long-time partner, fellow alpinist Marc-André Leclerc, was confirmed dead after going missing during a climbing expedition near Juneau, Alaska in March 2018.
[25] Harrington dedicated her May 2018 Mount Blane route to Leclerc, writing: "We have named it Life Compass for a number of reasons.
[29] 2016, Northwest Turret (5.13a, 22 pitches), Great Sail Peak, Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada – Established route with Joshua Lavigne and Marc-André Leclerc.
[29] 2016, Hidden Dragon (5.12b/c), Chinese Puzzle Wall, Nesakwatch River Valley, British Columbia, Canada – Established route with Marc-André Leclerc.