
Acting
Philippe Ribière
Born 1977-03-12 · Fort-de-France, Martinique, France
Philippe Ribière, born on March 12, 1977, in Martinique, is a French professional climber, photographer, and author known for his career in adaptive climbing and for founding the "Handi-Grimpe" event in 2003. Ribière was born in Martinique with several congenital malformations associated with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome. He was abandoned at birth before being adopted at the age of four by a couple living in the Gard region of France. His childhood was marked by surgeries, the challenges of his disability, and mockery—experiences he describes as having strongly shaped his character. As a child, he was passionate about cycling; when he sought to join a local club in the Gard to practice the sport, the manager rejected him, saying, "I don't want a disabled person here." He subsequently discovered rock climbing in 1994 and joined a local club where he was welcomed without discrimination. In 1995, he competed in the French Youth Championships in Buis-les-Baronnies—an event hailed as a first for a disabled climber at that level of competition. After completing his secondary education, he decided to dedicate himself fully to climbing. He won a medal at the World Championships in 2001 and later finished third at the Para-Climbing World Championships in 2011. In 2003, he launched "Handi-Grimpe," an event bringing together able-bodied and disabled climbers. He has also appeared in numerous documentaries as part of the Petzl Rock Tour, traveling the globe. Among his notable climbing achievements, his ascent of Es Pontàs arc island in Mallorca on August 28, 2018, is the most frequently cited; it was a solo climb of approximately 30 meters, regarded as a landmark feat for an adaptive climber. Philippe Ribière lives in the Ardèche region and specializes in outdoor bouldering, alongside his other passions: portrait photography, travel, and public speaking. He recounts his life story in a biography co-authored with Emmanuelle Dal’Secco, *Faire Bloc* (2020, Arthaud), as well as in the documentaries "Wild One" (2012) by Jure Breceljnik and "Diamant Brut" (2019) by Frank Dalmat. Source: Wikipedia / Philippe Ribière
Acting credits
10.0In 1977, Philippe Ribiere is born in Martinique with the Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome. Abandoned by his parents, he is left to the hospital, where he is bound to spend the first four years of his life and undergo a series of arm and leg operations. He is alone and different. At the age of 4, he is taken to France to be adopted by a French family. In 1994, Philippe discovers climbing, which is much more of a challenge to him than it is to others. However, he also discovers how to turn his handicap into an advantage trough climbing and so make his way into the society. The story of Philippe Ribiere is a story of loneliness, searching for the answers, discovering of being different, it is a story of courage, will, fearlessness, freedom, seeking for love and overcoming the impossible.
Wild One
2012
10.0Climber Philippe Ribière was born in Martinique. Abandoned and subsequently adopted by a large family in France, Ribière underwent numerous surgeries to improve the functionality of his limbs. Yet today, he is the first sponsored climber with a disability, an elite athlete, and the founder of the "Handi-Grimpe" association. Returning to Martinique with the ambition of climbing the famous Diamond Rock—an uninhabited island located two kilometers off the coast, whose shape inspired its name—holds deep symbolic significance for him.
Rough Diamond
2019
10.0In February 2015 Philippe Ribière and Dan Bates visited Oman-based climber Read Macadam in the Sultanate of Oman. With word of a treasure trove of massive potential for bouldering first ascents, they explored a remote canyon high in the Hajar Mountains on the eastern most part of Arabia. What they discovered is world class. Get transported back to another era - an ancient village settlement nestled in a valley full of giant freestanding boulders, and join them as they climb first ascents in the home of a traditional Arabic people from another time.
Valley Of Giants
2015
10.0When fifteen adventure-starved climbers meet a strange mage from another era, there’s no telling what might happen... But strange brews can certainly change your outlook on life! Follow the escapades of our intrepid climbers—catapulted into the mix without warning by a diabolical DJ to the beat of a funky remix. This is a film that left its mark on an entire generation of climbers! The "Navalameca 70s" project is a docufiction in which Team Petzl athletes transform into 1960s-style climbers, tackling the most extreme boulders in Navalosa (Spain) wearing the EB climbing shoes our parents used to wear.
Navalameca 70's
2008
10.0Located in the heart of the Patagonian pampas, in Argentina's Chubut province, Piedra Parada's monolith rises up from the surrounding desert. Lying just to the north, the majestic 200-meter monolith La Buitrera Canyon was home to the 10th anniversary Petzl RocTrip in November 2012. For more than a week, climbers from all over the world came together to share a common passion: climbing. Thanks to the hard work of a team of Argentinean and international route developers, La Buitrera Canyon, 5 km long with towering cliffs up to 200m high, is now one of Argentina's major climbing spots. For the tenth edition of the Petzl RocTrip, more than 1500 people climbed in the wind, dust, heat, and cold, for an unforgettable Patagonian experience! As every year since 2002, the Petzl RocTrip is an opportunity for climbers to come together for a shared passion in a friendly atmosphere. Featuring Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll, Dave Graham, Charlotte Durif, Dani Andrada, Daniel Du Lac, and Nina Caprez.
Petzl RocTrip Argentina 2012
2012
10.0Have you ever wondered what it would be like to climb 8c barefoot? going on a rampage round the forest crushing the boulders you often dream about? Then wonder no more. Explore the forest of Fontainebleau with Jimmy Webb, David Mason, Philippe Ribiere, Marc Le Menestrel and Charles the bare foot Climber as the crush there way around the hardest problems in the forest, including 8c barefoot first ascents. 8b flashes and many many more hard ascents.
Out of Sight III
2017
6.2A film that captures the spirit of "Fanaticos" climbers—those who have dedicated their lives to the sport. Living in vans and working odd jobs, they forge their own paths in pursuit of an obsession: the joy of climbing increasingly spectacular cliffs, pushing their limits, and sharing moments of camaraderie with friends. After a gentle opening featuring stunning footage of deep-water soloing in Mallorca, the film gradually builds in intensity. It shows Sharma tackling "Golpe De Estado" in Siurana (a route potentially rated 9b) and Dani Andrada nailing most of the moves on some of the most extreme routes in the Ali Baba cave at Rodellar, alongside other inspiring sequences of successful ascents across Spain (Siurana, Santa Linya, Rodellar).
The Fanatic Search
2008
10.0During a reconnaissance trip, Olivier Balma, a guide and instructor at CMDI, accompanies Erwan Le Lann into the Getu Valley, in the heart of Guizhou Province. They discover a practically untouched site with a unique giant arch filled with limestone tufas. The project takes shape with the agreement of the government and the Chinese Mountaineering Association. It takes a group of climbers two trips to put up 250 new routes of all levels. During the Petzl RocTrip, hundreds of Chinese and visiting climbers get together to climb these routes. The highlight of the event is when the Spaniard Dani Andrada sends his project, Corazon de Ensueno. In front of a big crowd, he frees the extremely difficult eight pitches, all tied in with his partner, Chris Sharma. Since then, the Getu Valley has become a prime climbing destination, thanks to the magnificent routes and to the warm and authentic hospitality of the valley's inhabitants.
Petzl RocTrip China 2011
2011