Sébastien Bouin tames La Rage d’Adam in Verdon Gorge

Sébastien Bouin is undoubtedly one of the best sport climbers in France and now, in his favourite Verdon Gorges, he has freed what might well be one of the hardest sport climbs in the country. La Rage d’Adam starts with an 8c section, is followed by a 10-move crux past pinches and underclings, and finished up 25 meters of 8b climbing.

Bouin started trying the route 4 years ago and in the meantime managed to free Les yeux plus gros que l'antre at Russan and repeat two 9b: Mamichula at Oliana in Spain and Move at Flatanger in Norway. Both of these climbs were established Adam Ondra, and in 2015 the Czech climber quickly visited the Gorges du Verdon and dabbled on the project, stating that it was very difficult indeed.

Bouin has suggested the grade of 9b/+ and now, conditions permitting, he will head towards one of the most difficult multi-pitch routes in the country, the 160m 8c outing Hossana. Freed on 22 October 2016 by Cédric Lachat, unsurprisingly this is also located in the stunning Verdon Gorge.

Apart from Les yeux plus gros que l’antre at Russan, France hosts other high-level routes such as the 9b Eagle 4 at St Léger, freed by Adam Ondra in January 2018.

Link: FB Sébastien Bouin, Black Diamond


TOPO: Verdon Gorge rock climbing in France

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Rock Combined Challenge : Step 1 "La Rage d'Adam" 9b/+ (5.15b/c) was the first step of my Rock Combined Challenge. It's probably the hardest French sport climbing route. It would be amazing if someone else come to try this route. Sharing the passion is one reason why I am doing this sport, and I would be so happy if this route can live again. The second step of my Rock Combined Challenge is to send the hardest French multi-pitch "Hossana" 8c max announced. Here the description of this multi-pitch : 8b/+ - 8b - 8b - 8c - 7b+. I will rest two days and try to send it Monday. So, have a nice weekend ! Pic by @julia.cassou in the crux of "La Rage d'Adam 9b/+ (5.15b/c) Challenge de combiné sur rocher : Première étape "La Rage d'Adam" 9b/+ était la première étape de ce challenge de combiné. C'est possiblement la voie sportive la plus dure de France. Il faudra néanmoins attendre une répétition pour confirmer cela. Je serai heureux de partager avec d'autres personnes à propos de cette voie afin de la voir vivre à nouveau. La seconde étape de mon challenge de combiné est d'enchaîner la grande voie la plus dure de France "Hossana" 8c max annoncé. Cette grande voie se décompose ainsi : 8b/+ - 8b - 8b - 8c - 7b+. Je vais me reposer deux jours (ce weekend) et essayer de l'enchaîner lundi. Passez un bon weekend alors ! Photo de @julia.cassou dans le crux de la rage d'Adam 9b/+ • Thanks to my partners to support me in these adventures @blackdiamond @eb_climbing @amazonas_ultralight Kayland @natureclimbing @climbskin @kayland_official @grandpicsaintloup

A post shared by Seb Bouin (@sebbouin) on Sep 7, 2019 at 1:28am PDT