Adam Ondra climbs two 9a+ at Charmey and St Léger

Another two 9a+ for Adam Ondra. This first sentence could actually have read completely differently, could have been one 9a+ and one 9b, had it not been for the fact that Ondra downgraded Meiose, the climb freed by Pirmin Bertle at Charmey in Switzerland in autumn 2015. The German had put forward 9b and, as always, the grade suggestion awaited confirmation, but after needing just 3 attempts for the first repeat Ondra has indicated that 9a+ is more realistic. Also because as can be seen in the video below, thanks to a kneebar he manages to make a no-hands rest.

After his short Swiss trip Ondra travelled to Saint Léger du Ventoux in France where, while waiting for harder projects to dry out, he managed to free a Quentin Chastagnier project. The name still needs choosing - it could be La Castagne - but the grade is certain: 9a+.

With this latest ascent Ondra has now climbed more than 150 sport climbs graded 9a or harder. This is an immense number that defies comprehension and includes Silence (the hardest sport climb in the world and the first to be graded 9c), three 9b+ (Vasil Vasil, Dura Duraand Change), and 17 x 9b. Impressive to say the least, from the man who in 2014 climbed 100 routes 9a or harder and who, yesterday, celebrated a quarter of a century.

On the way to France, we made a stip in Switzerland in Charmey and I managed to make the second ascent of Meiose on my 3rd go. This route was put up by Pirmin Bertle as 9b, I think 9a+ is closer to reality. This kneebar in the video was quite important to shake out before the resistant part on tiny holds. @montura_official @blackdiamond @mytendon @lasportivagram

A post shared by Adam Ondra (@adam.ondra) on Feb 1, 2018 at 1:30am PST

ADAM ONDRA 9b - 9c
03/2010 Golpe de Estado, Siurana, Spain, repeat
02/2011 La Capella, Siurana, Spain. 9b, first ascent
03/2011 Chaxi Raxi, Oliana, Spain. 9b, first ascent
04/2011 Chilam Balam, Villanueva del Rosario, Spain. 9b, repeat
04/2011 La Planta de Shiva, Villanueva del Rosario, Spain. 9b, first ascent
10/2012 Change, Flatanger / Hanshallaren, Norway. 9b+, first ascent
02/2013 Fight or Flight, Oliana, Spain. 9b, repeat
02/2013 Dura Dura, Oliana, Spain. 9b+, first ascent
08/2013 Iron Curtain, Flatanger / Hanshallaren, Norway. 9b, first ascent
08/2013 Move, Flatanger / Hanshallaren, Norway. 9b, first ascent
12/2013 Vasil Vasil, Sloup, Czech Republic. 9b+, first ascent
02/2014 First Round First Minute, Margalef, Spain. 9b, repeat
11/2015 C.R.S., Mollans, France. 9b, first ascent
02/2016 Stoking the Fire, Santa Linya, Spain. 9b, repeat
10/2016 Robin Úd 9b, Alternativna stena, Slovakia, first ascent
02/2017 Mamichula, Oliana, Spain. 9b, first ascent
04/2017 Queen Line, Laghel - Arco, Italy, 9b, first ascent
04/2017 Lapsus, Andonno, Italy, 9b, first repeat
07/2017 Move Hard, Flatanger / Hanshallaren, Norway. 9b, first ascent
09/2017 Silence, Flatanger / Hanshallaren, Norway. 9c, first ascent
11/2017 One Slap, Laghel - Arco, Italy, 9b, first repeat

Info: www.adamondra.com, Instagram Adam Ondra, www.lasportiva.com