Nina Williams is an American professional rock climber born on August 21, 1990, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She began her climbing journey in 2002 in New Hampshire after trying out ballet, football, and horseback riding.
Nina's early climbing career was marked by a cheating incident in a qualifying regional competition, which resulted in a ban from competitions for the season. She later revealed in an interview that the pressure and lack of self-confidence led her to cheat.
To overcome this setback, Nina focused on finding a new mental approach to climbing. She shifted her focus from climbing for others' approval to climbing because she loved it. This new approach allowed her to return to competition and eventually become known for her highball bouldering skills.
In 2015, Nina made her first 8B (V13) ascent in Rocklands, South Africa, and achieved the first female ascent of Ray of Light. She is recognized for her highball bouldering style, which combines the physical demands of bouldering with the mental challenge of free soloing.
Some of Nina's notable climbs include Speed of Life V10, Footprints V9, and Ray of Light V13, which she became the first woman to climb. She also made the first female ascent of Ambrosia V11 and completed the Grandpa Peabody trifecta, a feat previously achieved by no woman.
Nina has continued to push her limits in recent years, making the fourth ascent and first female ascent of Window Shopper V12 in 2018 and the seventh ascent and first female ascent of Too Big to Flail V10 in 2019. Her climbing accomplishments have been featured in several films, including The High Road, which showcases her rope preparation and ascent of Too Big to Flail.
