Anna Hazelnutt

3 min read

Biggest achievements:

  • Once Upon a Time in the Southwest (E9 6c | 5.13b/c R trad) (2021)
  • Spank the Monkey (5.13d R) (2022)
  • Push the Sky (proposed 8A R boulder, FA) (2022)
  • The Quarryman (E8, mixed) in a day, no falls (2022)
  • The Walk of Life (E9 6c | 5.13d R/X trad) FFA (2022)
  • Prinzip Hoffnung (E9/10 5.13d/14a R trad) (2023)
  • Prinzip Hoffnung (E9/10 5.13d/14a R trad) (2023)
  • To Bolt or Not to Be (5.14a) (2023)
  • Peace (5.13d) (2024)

Which do you prefer?

Overhang or slab?
Spiders or snakes?
Rice or pasta?
Wearing the same underwear all week or the same socks?
Sport or trad climbing? AH! It depends. Don't make me choose! :D
Films or books?
Breakfast or dinner?
Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin?
Dancing or singing?
Granite or limestone?

Where are you from and what are your favourite climbing areas in the USA?

I'm from California, I love Tuolumne, Smith Rock and Bishop!

When did you start climbing, and how?

I started climbing at 16, when I was asked out on a date to a climbing gym (it was actually my first date!) and I got a monthly membership straight away.

What do you do when you're not climbing?

I get creative. I love making films and writing whenever I can.

Can you explain where your name "Hazelnutt" comes from?

It was a nickname I got in high school and it kind of stuck with me! It's really close to my real surname, Hazlett, so my teammates would shout "Let's go Hazelnutt!" at my competitions. I somehow missed that everyone had started using their real names on Instagram. :D

You've got a lot better at falling over the course of your climbing. If you could give just one piece of advice to people who are afraid of falling, what would it be?

Practise!!! And be kind to yourself. Beating yourself up gets you nowhere, but if you ease off and meet yourself where you are, it'll be much better.

How important was the trip to Spain in 2021 for your climbing? Can you describe that period in your life?

That trip to Catalonia was everything. It was the definitive turning point when I decided to try taking climbing seriously. At least in terms of my career. I really committed to going all in on climbing and finding out whether it could be a viable way to live my life. I went for it fully back then and loved every minute. Now that I feel a bit more settled in the life of a professional climber, I'm starting to come back to that lifestyle more and more.

What are your favourite climbing areas in Europe?

All of Catalonia, and I loved visiting Switzerland too. But there are still so many crags in Europe I have to explore.

Do you know anything about Czech climbing areas? I mean Czech sandstone climbing in particular?

I know you're all wild when it comes to gear. I'm not sure I could handle it :-).

You climb a lot with Tom Randall. Can we expect you to focus on crack climbing in the near future?

God no. Cracks aren't my thing. I'll definitely let myself be talked into one now and then, but I won't go looking for a crack on my own.

Is there a hair colour combination you're afraid of?

HAHA! I think orange and yellow together might be too much. I always say "too much is almost enough", but I think that combination might cross the line. Maybe I'll try it and let you know. :-)

What's your favourite Tendon rope and why?

I love your Tendon Master 8.6 rope. It's PERFECT for redpointing really long routes, and I love long routes!