Sébastien Bouin blasts Rodellar in Spain

Sébastien Bouin has claimed the first repeat of Patanics, the mega outing at Rodellar freed this summer by Jorge Díaz-Rullo and originally graded 9b. On only his second day the Frenchman got close to the ancors, falling off the last hard move, but then it started to rain and the route seeped, forcing him to change some sequences. In addition, a small piece of metal ended up in eye and after having it removed at ER he kept it bandaged for two days prior to the redpoint.

The 26-year-old believes the grade is more in the region of 9a+ and not 9b a originally suggested, especially when compared to other routes he’s sent such as Mamichula at nearby Oliana, Move at Flatanger in Norway, and La rage d’Adam in the Verdon Gorge in France, although he does admit it perfectly suits his climbing style.

Bouin is evidently in great shape and a few days ago he made the first ascent of Detectives, an immense, spectacular climb at the Picineta sector bolted by Chris Sharma and Dani Andrada many years ago and now graded 9a. According to Bouin this is now the best route of its grade at Rodellar.

TOPO: Climbing at Rodellar in Spain

Links: FB Sébastien Bouin, Black Diamond