Biographie | 9a+ Sport route at Céüse

France / Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur / Hautes-Alpes

Bolted by Jean-Christophe Lafaille in 1988. Also known as Realization. Extension of Biographie (L1).

Arnaud Petit climbed the pitch to a half height anchor in 1996 at a grade of 8c+. The full pitch was given the name Biographie but was later renamed Realization by the first ascenionist Chris Sharma. In line with French tradition the line is now known by the original name, Biographie.

The route became famous as one of Chris Sharma's first big new routes and one of the earliest routes given 9a+, though notably not the first (several routes previously given 9a have subsequently been upgraded). His extended efforts on the route were documented in the film Dosage Volume 1.

Josh Lowell:

At one point Chris wanted to call it Get a Life, thankfully he changed his mind! [3]

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suVH2BuFEh0

[3] https://open.spotify.com/episode/14eXBiZUrV7LetCF132iNS?

Contributors
remus
92 contributions since 7th May 2021.
TdG
8 contributions since 1st September 2025.
tvhc_tvhc
8 contributions since 29th October 2025.
TEV
7 contributions since 18th December 2025.
Ted Kingsnorth
1 contribution since 6th April 2022.

Library


Pics + Vids

No pics or vids yet.


Ascents

21 successful ascents and 1 unsuccessful attempt recorded.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade

A breakthrough in Chris' climbing and one of the hardest routes in the world at the time.

It was my very first route [in Europe], actually. I went directly and warmed up on it...I didn't really warm up back then so it was fine. [5]

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eTxQLfIUNY

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/CRe7spOLVqj/

[3] Coincidentally Charlotte Durif was walking underneath at the time with her brother and Dad who took some photos of the first ascent. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRlzGrNHGHn/

[4] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/chris-sharma-climbs-biographie-at-ceuse.html

[5] https://open.spotify.com/episode/26PaloSHg59Bbe6WdUWWok?

References

[1] https://vimeo.com/8631168

Ethan Pringle Fifth ascent. Lead | worked 3rd Sep 2007

References

[1] Climb Issue 44, page 14

Adam saved the route for a long time so he could try and flash it, but on his flash burn he fell in the top crux.

Sachi Amma Lead | worked 7th Aug 2014
Stefano Ghisolfi Lead | worked Jun 2015
Jorge Díaz-Rullo Lead | worked 13th Jul 2019