Brooke and Shawn Raboutou both repeat Box Therapy
- Friday 13th October 2023
Brooke and Shawn Raboutou have both send Box Therapy in back-to-back efforts.
It’s only a little over a month since we reported (here) that Katie Lamb had made the first female ascent of Box Therapy V16; now it’s the turn of siblings Brooke and Shawn Raboutou. Brooke’s first attempt on Box Therapy was back in 2022. She’s been dreaming of getting back ever since and the plan was to go back for the team send with her brother.
Posting online Brooke reported their ascents saying; “One of the most magical days! Last weekend I rallied the family and we ventured out into the depths of Wild Basin. Shawn and I managed to do the ultimate dream: sibling send of box therapy, same day, back-to-back tries.”
Having completed her ascent Brooke then suggested a down-grade to V15/Font 8C saying; “Grades are tricky because they truly are subjective and can feel different for everyone. Here’s my opinion: after chatting with my brother and others who have done the climb, I feel like V15 is an appropriate grade especially if I compare it to some of the benchmark V15’s I’ve tested.”
A sit-start to Spread Eagle – A V11/Font 8A by Tommy Cauldwell - Box Therapy was originally climbed by Daniel Woods and has been repeated by Sean Bailey, Drew Ruana, Katie Lamb and now Brooke and Shawn Raboutou. The remote location and the two-hour walk-in at an altitude of c.3200m adds, it is said, to the experience.
Mum and Dad, Robin and Didier - both World Champions back-in-the-day, accompanied Brooke and Shawn on the day. “To have our parents behind us shuffling pads and videoing was the cherry on top.” Brooke wrote. Now what a story that would be if both Robin and Didier could also send Box Therapy; never say never and what a story we’d have!?!