In 2006, she was awarded one of the very first Arco Rock Legends awards (known as the Oscars of climbing), the Salewa Rock Award, for her contribution to sport climbing. In 2007, reporting on her freeing of multi-pitch alpine routes, Alpinist said: "This climb serves as yet another testament to Bereziartu's prowess; since the late 90s, Bereziartu has worked to push the limits of female climbing in various disciplines". In 2008, Climbing called her "the strongest female rock climber in the world". National Geographic noted that at the height of her career in the early to mid-2000s, "She was also climbing two or three grades harder than any other woman". A 2017 Climbing magazine review of the history of women's climbing noted that "In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Basque Josune Bereziartu became the world’s best female sport climber", and that she had "dramatically narrowed the gap between men and women". In 2021, PlanetMountain, ranked Bereziartu as one of the most important female climbers in history, saying: "In short, from 1998 to 2005 Bereziartu's hegemony on rock was absolute. With these redpoints, and with her first female 8b+ onsight completed in 2006, Bereziartu reduced the gender gap on multiple occasions, inspiring thousands of other climbers. In addition to these physical achievements, it is worth dwelling on how they were carried achieved: always with absolute modesty, always with a smile". Personal life In 1999, Bereziartu wedded her long-term climbing partner, Rikar Otegui, who himself climbs to . Bereziartu was not always a full-time professional climber, and during the week, Bereziartu sold insurance and investments for a Spanish insurance company, Mapfre in the early 2000s. In addition, Bereziartu designed resin holds to sell for indoor climbing walls. Notable ascents Redpointed routes 9a/9a+ (5.14d/5.15a): Bimbaluna – Saint Loup (SUI) – May 1, 2005; world's first-ever female ascent of a 9a/9a+ route. : Logical Progression – Jo Yama (JPN) – November 22, 2004; world's second-ever female ascent of a 9a route. – Saint Loup (SUI) – October 29, 2002; world's first-ever female ascent of a 9a route. : Powerade – Vadiello (ESP) – May 21, 2007; world's fourth-ever female ascent of an 8c+ route. Na Nai – Baltzola (ESP) – June 18, 2003; world's third-ever female ascent of an 8c+ route. Noia – Andonno (ITA) – October 18, 2001, world's second-ever female ascent of an 8c+ route. Honky Tonk Mix – Onate