Sport climbing 9c. . Feb 27, 2023 · Although 'Project Big' shares its home with Silence (9c), Ondra still expresses uncertainty as to which is harder. About this Sports Climbing Grades table: This is a lead climbing grade conversion chart. This is the highest grade ever assigned to a sport climb and is matched only by Seb Bouin’s 2022 route, DNA. Bouldering grades and bouldering grades conversion charts for the popular V-Scale and Font-Scale bouldering grades. Here are the Hardest Sport Climbs In The World. This bouldering grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from Hueco to French and back to The most common climbing scales in this country are the UIAA scale (e. See individual areas for directions. Someone will surely climb a 10a one day, but not me - I am quite sure of that. The world's best climbing films, on tour, streaming, and social. Sep 20, 2022 · Hardest climbing route By achieving a 9c climbing grade, you have not only pushed the limits for yourself, but for all climbers. But just how impressive was this step forward in sport climbing? And how do us Brits measure up against the mighty Ondra? Mar 17, 2023 · Earlier this year Adam Ondra travelled to France's Verdon Gorge to attempt DNA, Sebastién Bouin's 2022 masterpiece. No one in the world has sent as many almost impossibly hard sport climbs, including Silence, the 5. Dec 14, 2022 · Adam Ondra climbed the world’s first 9c / 5. The crux of the route is a notorious boulder problem that requires the climber to do a feet-first jamming sequence through a slopey crack. Do you think you can go further? That's very difficult. That clearly helped him as he clipped the chains on the hardest sport route in Italy. Regardless, it is clear that the route, in his eyes, epitomises the future of hard sport climbing. Located in the Ramirole, one of the Verdon’s biggest caves and home to many of Bouin’s other hard first ascents, DNA now vies with Adam Ondra’s Silence as the hardest route in the world. A flurry of gold medals followed suit as Ondra went on to demonstrate his dominance. The two main free climbing grading systems (which include the two main free climbing disciplines of sport climbing and traditional climbing) are the "French numerical system" and the "American YDS system". One thing is for certain, though, as climbing evolves, routes are getting harder For reference 9A is the hardest boulder (3 now by 3 people), but 9a has been on sighted by multiple people, and 9c is the hardest sport route (2 by 2 people). org 30 entries on the list. When Czech climber Adam Ondra made the first free ascent on 3 September 2017, it became the first rock climb in the world to have a proposed climbing grade of 9c (5. On April 29, 2022, he became the second person in history to successfully climb a 9c sport route after Adam Ondra. His impact on sport climbing did not go unnoticed and in 2013, at just 20-years-old, the Czech was dubbed a ‘prodigy’ and the leading climber of his generation by Rock & Ice Magazine. 15d), and it is an important route in rock climbing history. Jul 12, 2024 · The grade of 5. These climbing methods can also be categorized as “free” climbing, which means a climber ascends using only natural features to assist their upward progress. Sport Climbing Bouldering Silence Grade: 9c First Ascent: Adam Ondra FA Date: 2017-09-03 Location: Norway, Flatanger Repeated by: Videos: Ondra Apr 13, 2025 · Climbing is a sport of precision, strength, and mental endurance. All three are currently unrepeated. Thanks to Jonas Wiklund who's list on github was used as the basis for this list, and hardclimbs. Megos initially graded the route as 9c (5. May 5, 2022 · The area is famous for its bolted multi-pitches and was one of the most popular areas for the new, harder style of Sport Climbing that emerged in the 70s. Despite being one of the most historic areas and birthplaces of sport climbing, new areas and routes continue to be established and developed. 55m long, this is currently only one of three 9c's in the world, after Silence at Flatanger in Norway put up by Ondra in September 2017 and BIG at the same crag freed by Jakob Schubert in October 2023. The International Federation of Sport Climbing IFSC has confirmed that the World Cup competitions will be held in Prague in 2026 and 2028, with bouldering next year also adding lead climbing. Jul 25, 2022 · As of 2022, the route deemed “The Silence” is the most challenging sport climbing route with a grade of 5. Anyone climbing in Tirol should therefore familiarise themselves with the French scale and, if necessary, have a conversion table to hand, because from the medium Bibliographie is a circa 35-metre (115 ft) sport climbing route on a limestone cliff on the southern face of Céüse mountain, near Gap and Sigoyer, in France. Se A list of almost all ascents of sport climbing routes graded 9b or harder. The difficulties are listed in increasing order of difficulty. If you are attempting 9c you are going to stay close to the crag for weeks upon weeks. Understand bouldering, sport, and trad climbing grades for accurate conversions. UIAA: this is common in Germany and other central European countries, it ranges from I (easiest) to XII (hardest), using Roman numerals. Sean Bailey and Shawn Raboutou are also in the area so it really could be a crazy season. May 20, 2025 · A prodigy widely held to be the finest climber of his generation, Ondra’s list of achievements is staggering. Many will know Raboutou from the Olympics and World Cup circuit. In Hazel Findlay's recent Strong Mind podcast, Ondra attributes a big part of the development of hard sport climbing to hard bouldering. 14b at 11 years old. Jun 6, 2023 · A 9c in rock climbing represents the highest difficulty rating in the sport, involving both exceptional technical skills and extreme physical demands. Sep 14, 2022 · Stefano Ghisolfi posts his first-ever YouTube Q&A. First, a few facts for some context. Bouin is a veritable collector of grades, with over 60 9a and above routes under his belt. 15d). BMC: Give us some perspective, how impressive is Adam Ondra's 9c achievement? Aug 24, 2022 · The dataset The dataset includes 62,593 users (53,902 men and 8,691 women) who logged a total of 4,111,877 ascents (that’s more than 4 millions!), including sport climbing (n=2,875,675) and bouldering (n=1,236,202). This system starts at 5. Nov 17, 2024 · A redpoint climb can be achieved in both trad climbing and sport climbing, though it’s a more widely used term in sport. This article serves as a 2025 update. In addition, the skill level of the climber has also been included. One single user, in The interesting thing with male sport climbing is that it seems to be largely his own peers who are catching up - unlike say women's comp bouldering, where it looks like the challenge to Janja will have to come from a new generation. After this impressive achievement, we caught up with Adam to learn what it took to send the first 9c. Dec 12, 2022 · THE TAKEAWAY So, is the Magnus 9C test the ultimate measure of climbing ability? Well, high-level climbers will score much better than lower-level climbers, so that’s maybe an argument in its favor, but it’s definitely not the ultimate measure of our abilities. This title was previously shared by Change, La Dura Dura, and Vasil Vasil — all of which are graded 5. The HArd 100 The hardest 100 ascents in both bouldering and sport climbing. If we talk about the numbers, there is perhaps a small chance that I will climb 9c+. When it comes to difficult climbs, Bouin takes no prisoners. Adam Ondra climbing Project Hard at Flatanger in Norway. Adam Ondra, the best sport climber in the world, set himself an impossible-seeming goal of becoming the first person to flash a route rated 9a+ (5. 13d at 10 years old and 5. 15d on September 3rd, 2017, becoming at the time the hardest climbing route in the world. Whether you're a seasoned climber or a newcomer to the sport, understanding the different climbing grades and difficulties is crucial for selecting routes that match your skill level and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. his career is a case study in what happens when enormous talent and desire find their life’s purpose at an early age. Ondra represents the potential of a new generation born to climbing parents and raised in gyms. A Czech climber Join my new Tips & Tricks series and get my advice on rock climbing, bouldering, lead climbing, or nutrition anytime and anywhere in your pocket The world's first hardest route Apr 27, 2025 · This creates a challenge for climbers looking to move from bouldering to sport climbing to draw straightforward comparisons. Climbing is still a skill based sport where physical factors eventual put a "cap" on your potential. Mar 2, 2024 · Sébastien Bouin is one of two climbers who have managed to expand the limits of climbing to this day. Sep 26, 2024 · Climbing, as a sport, offers a thrilling blend of physical and mental challenges, with climbers continually pushing the limits of their abilities. The 9c grade corresponds to the American rating of 5. Seb Bouin on “DNA” 9c in Ramirole – Photo by Lena Drapella According to Seb, the route starts with an 8c+ sport section, into two boulder problem cruxes. On 3 September 2017 the 24-year-old Czech climber freed the 45m route and graded it 9c, making it the hardest sport climb in the world. 15d routes currently in existence – Adam Ondra’s Silence, Seb Bouin’s DNA, and A list of all the sport routes 9b or harder that have currently been climbed, including details of the first ascent. g. Climbing grades have evolved alongside advances in equipment, technique, and community feedback, leading to more accurate and standardized assessments of difficulty. The grade of a rock route is usually based on the crux, the most difficult move. 15c, or 9b+, is currently the second hardest difficulty in sport climbing. 15c (9b+). How to Use the Bouldering Grades Comparison Table: To use this table, simply find the grade you wish to convert and click on it or follow the row to see equivalent grades in the other system. Over the years, climbers have continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, establishing routes that defy the imagination. Testing your upper extremity strength and mental fortitude may very well help you figure out Oct 29, 2018 · Hardest Routes The history and development of rock climbing is marked and driven by the ascension of ever harder climbs. It shows what preceded the afternoon of September 3, 2017 when Adam Ondra, a professional Wander back into the depths of what is perhaps the most awe-inspiring granite cave in the world and you will find Silence – the world’s first 9c/5. 15d! He sent the problem and now has full video - He celebrated with pizza for the whole camp :) Almost two years have passed since Adam Ondra established Silence, the world’s first 9c and the most difficult sport climb on the planet featuring a crazy inverted 8C boulder crux after 25 meters of 8b+ climbing through the Flatanger cave in Norway. So, in this week’s blog post I’ll take you through my second attempt at the 9c strength test and discuss my thoughts on the results. The average number of ascents per user is 110, with the majority of the users (median) logging 35 ascents and 90% of them logging between 3 and 306 ascents. [2] French 1980s climbing legend Antoine Le Menestrel [fr] features in the series, and said of Bouin: "Seb doesn't consume climbing, he is a part of its evolution What it takes to climb the world’s first 9c? Let’s find out in Silence, a movie by Bernardo Giménez. While sport climbing has dominated overall grade milestones since the mid-1980s (i. Since the 26-year-old is currently injured, for his weekly video series The Road to Tokyo he has decided to analyse his masterpiece in detail in Aug 24, 2021 · Stefano Ghisolfi climbing Bibliographie Seb Bouin was belaying Stefano on the send and is also projecting it, so we could see another send fairly soon given the concentration of professional beta improvements. The first 9c in the world and a new benchmark in sport climbing. It can absolutely be useful though. Jakob Schubert (born December 31, 1990) is an Austrian professional rock climber, specializing in competition climbing (lead and boulder), sport climbing, and bouldering. He is also working on his DNA project which could be another 9b+. Among the numerous grading systems used worldwide, the question of what constitutes the most difficult grade of climbing is a hot topic among enthusiasts and professionals alike. [2] The "UIAA scale" is There are grade systems for bouldering, grade systems for sport climbing, grade systems for aid climbing and so on but even grade systems for the same style don’t always translate well between each other. Mar 14, 2022 · The Czech wunderkind is both a top-end sport climber and boulderer, and the only person in history to have sent a proposed 5. This is the HARDEST CLIMB in the History of the World || Silence 9c Magnus Midtbø 2. The reason being that the width of grades on a specific scale are not comparable or that grades are not linear across the whole scale. Online Conversion Tool for Climbing Grades & Bouldering Grades: Trad Grade, UIAA, French Sport Grade, Boulder Grades, American Scale & many more. So what that test says is "you could reach this grade with great technique/movement but would need to get stronger to go further". There are nine recognized 5. Sep 28, 2023 · This is how Jakob Schubert rates the sport climbing route BIG aka Project Big 9b+, 9b+ hard or 9c? Since the Austrian's redpoint ascent of one of the hardest sport climbing routes in the world Jakob Schubert the climbing scene speculated about what grade Schubert would propose. Adam spent a lot of time training specifically for the route, going as far as to strengthen his calves so he could get a better rest out of the kneebars. It is the first ever 9c to be established. This is a short story about the world’s 5. 5. Dec 2, 2023 · As a climber who is used to climbing longer routes, Stefano had to change his training and focus more on strength-building over endurance. Five have yet to see a repeat. The 4rd edition of the Arco climbing guide by Vertical-Life has been released. There are 10 recognized 5. 15d climb. Feb 2, 2025 · How hard should you be climbing and what strength do you need to climb a 9c? Find out what the 9c Strength Test is and how you can do it! In this episode, I take on the infamous 9C strength test to discover what grade I am capable of climbing based on my current conditioning. Simple as that! As a climbing addict, I definitely advocate for having fun on the wall over chasing grades and cranking out monotonous rep after rep of weighted pull-ups. Below you will find a table that compares the different climbing grades across the five most popular systems. Reddit's rock climbing training community. “La Dura Dura” in Spain was the first route this hard to be put up. 15a). Aug 16, 2023 · Discover the climbers who have climbed, or are very close to climbing, the hardest sport climbing grade in the world: 9c. 15d (9c). Yet, Ondra doesn’t just dominate the world of sport climbing, he’s also one of the world’s best Not already a member? Sign up for free and join our growing global community of rock climbers. Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Got any corrections? Send them to corrections@climbing-history. 14d, has more 5. Adam Ondra climbed 9c back in 2017. 15 (an overhanging cliff). Sep 8, 2017 · Adam Ondra climbed 9c back in 2017. The world’s hardest sport grade is 5. Feb 25, 2021 · Your final score corresponds to the sport climbing grade you are (theoretically!) strong enough to successfully climb. This lead climbing grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from YDS to French and back to French to Yosemite. Guess what it’s about? It’s hard to find an analogy in conventional sports for the upper limits of climbing grades. She broke records as a kid, becoming the youngest woman to climb 5. info which helped to fill in a few gaps. These ranking systems, often referred to as grading systems, provide a standardized way to evaluate the challenge a route presents. [1] Sport climbing differs from the riskier and more demanding format of traditional climbing where the lead climber—as they ascend the route Feb 1, 2024 · Sport climbing is a discipline that challenges climbers with routes that demand exceptional strength, endurance, and technical skill. Sep 13, 2017 · Sending "Silence", the 24-year-old La Sportiva ambassador Adam Ondra established the world’s hardest sport climb. As of 2023 French (Sport): is used in France and many other parts of Europe for sport climbing, ranging from 1 (easiest) to 9c (hardest). His long-term project now stands as possibly one of just two 9c climbs in the world! The climbing in North Carolina is spread across the state and divided into several distinct regions. May 11, 2022 · Last week, Sébastien Bouin did the first ascent of DNA in France’s Verdon Gorge, proposing a grade of 9c (5. Feb 27, 2024 · With hardcore routes being continually bolted by the new climbing generation, what are currently the hardest rock climbs in the world? Sport climbing is a type of high-intensity rock climbing in which climbers ascend a route that is equipped with preplaced permanent bolts rather than placing temporary bolts as they climb and removing them on their descent, as is done in traditional rock climbing. Including Grade Wike & Table. Climbing is an exhilarating and challenging sport that attracts adventurers from all walks of life. The route was bolted in 2009 by Ethan Pringle, and was first ascended by Alexander Megos on 5 August 2020. But just how impressive was this step forward in sport climbing? And how do us Brits measure up against the mighty Ondra? Sep 4, 2017 · Adam has said the route is harder than anything he has done, and in a short but telling chat with UKClimbing said it was “…hard 9b+, could be 9c…” Read our full article – Who Is Adam Ondra? Previously the hardest climbs in the sport climbing world were graded at 9b+. About this Bouldering Grades table: This is a bouldering climbing grade conversion chart. He’s simply prolific. The route was repeated on 24 August 2021 by Dude, climbing a 9c is a mission in itself, we are not talking about whether you should go to Flatanger or ceuse for your afternoon sesh. With his 2017 ascent of Silence, Ondra opened a new grade. French (Sport): is used in France and many other parts of Europe for sport climbing, ranging from 1 (easiest) to 9c (hardest). Regularly updated to keep you in the loop with the biggest sends. 15c ticks than anyone, and has topped the podium in a half-dozen international competitions. Dedicated to increasing all our knowledge about how to better improve at our sport. Although he is a bouldering and sport climbing specialist, he also made the first ascent of the hardest big wall climb ever attempted, the Dawn Wall. 15d (American YDS), and XII+ (UIAA). May 6, 2022 · The World’s Current Hardest Sport Climb Based solely on grade, the world’s hardest sport climbs are currently Silence and DNA, both rated 5. There are only three 5. Adam Ondra climbed it successfully in 2017, and no other climber has risen to the task since. Five new 9b+ lines have been established in the 22/23 season; Excalibur (Stefano Ghisolfi), Mejorando La Samfaina (Jorge Díaz Rullo), Sleeping Lion (Chris Sharma), Suprême Jumbo Love (Seb Bouin), Zvěřinec A list of almost all ascents of sport climbing routes graded 9b or harder. This system also uses sub-grades (a, b, c). 0 (like climbing a steep ladder) and progresses in difficulty up to 5. She earned silver at the Paris Olympics last summer and fifth in Tokyo. Massone, Nago, Padaro, Terra Promessa and other areas have become household names among climbers by now. It’s a 45-meter-long route that starts immediately overhung and turns into a completely upside-down “cave” route. Jan 28, 2022 · The most commonly used grading systems were developed for technical rock climbing styles of sport climbing, trad climbing, and bouldering. A for the grade, being a top climber and grading something as hard as 9b+ doesn’t come easy. Others were more likely to guess 9b+, because Schubert is known Bouin is also regarded for his love of French extreme sport climbing history, and his The Vintage Rock Tour documentary series revisits some of the most important – and controversial – moments in French extreme sport climbing. 6a+; used in international sport climbing areas, France and mostly in Tirol). 15d. 15d or 9c. Climbing grade conversion In North America both sport and trad rock climbs are graded using the YDS (Yosemite Decimal System). are now the highest grades), milestones for modern traditional-climbing, free-solo-climbing, onsighted & flashed-ascents, are also listed. Jan 11, 2025 · This is a short story about the world’s 5. 15c Club? A Timeline of First Ascents and Repeats”. He is a two-time Olympic bronze medalist in the combined event (2020 and 2024). Whether you're scaling indoor walls or conquering outdoor crags, understanding the intricacies of climbing difficulty rankings is essential for progression and safety. 77M subscribers Subscribed Sep 8, 2017 · Just how much of a step forward is Silence? We asked a few of the Brits from the top of the sport climbing scene – Steve McClure, Ben Moon, Jim Pope, Will Bosi and Maddy Cope – for their opinion on this, and how the Brits on the sport scene measure up against Ondra. He is a four-time World Champion (2012, 2018, 2021, 2023) and three-time World Cup winner (2011, 2014, 2018) in lead climbing. This article delves into some of the hardest sport climbing routes in the world, showcasing the pinnacle of climbing difficulty Adam Ondra on the sport climbing route Silence, the hardest free climbing route in the world and the first-ever at 9c (French), 5. From the tobacco fields of the Piedmont to the dramatic gorges in the High Country to the granite walls of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains; if you are west of Raleigh you are probably close to amazing climbing. A list of almost all ascents of sport climbing routes graded 9b or harder. Nov 22, 2022 · Seb Bouin has climbed “DNA” 9c. Sports climbing grades are graded using different systems across different regions. 8a (5. For some it was clear that he would go for grade 9c. e. Pushing the limit is what drives climbing, attracts the media and the public and thus opens even more opportunities for development and progress. 15d), the highest difficulty at that time. Four of these have been repeated and had their grades confirmed. The 2024 guidebook now contains 164 crags, 32 of which were Jun 11, 2023 · But if we put 9c climbing aside for a minute, there has also been a huge increase in the number of 9b+ sport routes in the last year. 15c routes in the world. He also became the first person to climb 9b+ and 9c routes. Understanding Climbing Grade Conversion Comparing Bouldering Grades When it comes to comparing bouldering grades, it’s essential to understand the differences between the various grading systems used in different regions Hard Sport Climbing Ascents by Women Ascents by women of routes graded 9a+ or harder. Jun 10, 2024 · Rock Climbing in the South of South Korea A comprehensive guide to sports climbing in the southern regions of South Korea, exploring popular climbing spots, tips, and more. The climb is now called Silence Silence is a route established by Adam Ondra in 2017. Aug 14, 2023 · From sport routes to pure alpine, the debate over the best, toughest and most extreme climbing feats never stops. This guidebook offers detailed and updated information on a total of 16 sport climbing areas in the province of Granada, in an attempt to collect a significant portion of the collective heritage that different generations of the climbing community in Granada have been generating and preserving selflessy for decades. In early 2023, we published “ Who Is in the 5. Apr 8, 2025 · Raboutou hasn’t focused much of her time on outdoor sport climbing in recent years. Jun 6, 2023 · A 9c in rock climbing represents the highest difficulty rating in the sport, involving both exceptional technical skills and extreme physical demands. Four of these have been repeated and have had their grades confirmed (for the most part—more on this later). 13b) sport route shouldn’t have a crux move harder than 7B+ (V8). Sep 28, 2023 · After taking week to enjoy the ascent, Jakob Schubert has voiced his opinion on the grade of Project Big. 15c routes in the world From sport routes to pure alpine, the debate over the best, roughest, and most extreme climbing adventures never ends. 15c sport routes and the climbers who have climbed them. Five have yet to see a Apr 29, 2024 · Learn everything about climbing grades and quickly convert any climbing rating with our free climbing grade conversion chart. Sport climbing (or bolted climbing) is a type of free climbing in the sport of rock climbing where the lead climber clips their rope —via a quickdraw —into pre-drilled in-situ bolts on the rockface for their protection as they ascend the route. Sep 2, 2021 · Total: 9 points = sport climbing grade 7a As a bit of motivation and because I thought it would be interesting, I decided that I’d take the test again after 6 months to see what effect (if any!) all my training was having. It’s normal for climbers make many attempts to conquer a difficult sport climbing route, puzzling out the intricacies of the moves required to tackle the most difficult sections. 15c, or 9b+, is currently the second hardest sport climbing grade. Ondra is frequently regarded as the best climber ever by outdoor publications as well as by fellow professional climbers like Alex Honnold and Magnus Midtbø. First-free-ascents that set new grade milestones are important events in rock climbing history, and are listed below. It was initially projected by Chris Sharma who Nov 17, 2020 · Watch Alex Megos climbing the world's second 9c / 5. Aug 30, 2021 · Rock climbing grades can seem cryptic; we break down the most popular rating systems and explain a tradition that's existed since the 1890s. Because Céüse is an already Mar 25, 2024 · Explore the ins and outs of climbing grade conversion with tips, challenges, and resources. Historic ascents, larger-than-life characters, and soulful stories from the global climbing community. 7-; mainly used in European sport climbing areas) and the French scale (e. Learn your grades and apply them to your climbing and problem setting. 15d (9c) route that may be the world’s most difficult. Jun 7, 2016 · Adam Ondra is arguably the best climber in the world— he flashes 5. gewaot yduug coeo iah qqhzup aagcl veaqgvu mwqd fqtyi vydv