Nathalie Malo in “Le Toit de Ben”

Bernard Poisson first aid climbed this burly, 10 meters horizontal roof crack in 1958, placing wooden pegs and pins and climbing on hemp rope while wearing a homemade chest harness.

It wasn’t until 1987 that Québec climber François Roy freed the line, thus establishing Val-David’s first 5.13. Around the time of Roy’s ascent, more than 170 routes were put up, increasing the growth and popularity of Val-David.

In 2010, Canadian Nathalie Malo ticked the first female ascent of Le Toit de Ben, after climbing for only four years.