Adam Ondra

The first 9c in the world and a new benchmark in sport climbing. 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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRTNHDd0gL8

The first 9b+ in the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0uesTSgMys

The second 9b+ in the world. Bolted by Chris Sharma, the pair worked the line together until Adam made the first ascent. Chris made the second ascent shortly afterwards making it the world's first confirmed 9b+.

https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2013/12/vasil_vasil_new_9b+_by_ondra-68562

From Adam's 8a.nu logbook:

2 years and 20-25 days on this thing. It is definitely not mega line, it is painful, short and in dirty place. But it was there, I bolted it 5 years ago and I couldn't leave it unclimbed. It is basically one-mover. 7 meters of burly 8b route into hard boulder problem, which is 8B+ on itself for sure. One single move is at least 8B. Very frustrating process of making no progression for long days, but when it finally happened, on super cold sticky day, it felt like nothing. In a short moment it was all over. Short, but LONG awaited moment. I am so happy.

Adam suggested low 9b, while acknowledging that he did the route quickly and wasn't too sure on the grade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWZyvzzPXlU

What a moment! Extremely satisfying ascent, nice to feel the progression on the real rock. This route bolted from Seb Bouin is just ultimate power endurance testpiece, combining desperately physical overhang with extremely thin holds on the very top. Last try, last day, 3 days in total and 1 try two years ago. Never did the "real" 9b so fast, not even close:-) This cliff (close to St Leger) is the future, ranked number 2 after Flatanger for me in terms of 9b's and more...and it is not secret spot any more...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbK4MqpFsVc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTjZ2JHJDJo

From Adam's 8a.nu logbook:

Project from Calgary climber Josh Muller who worked on it quite a bit and actually did all the moves! Took me 8 days of effort, mental battle with one low percentage. In the end, I think it is pretty high-end 9b, but I do not have the courtage to call it 9b+. 7C+ into 8C boulder without any rest into easy finish.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlgEjHZhvxz/

From Adam's 8a.nu logbook:

HUGE relief for me, mission accomplished despite various obstacles - notoriously strong wind, injury, flu and stomach ache just before the second trip (thus I was out of shape). After first day in the route I did not expect I would have to dedicate so much time, but proved to be really hard and mischevious. 29 tries (mental torture for me!) during 14 days, but some days only go when I found out it is just too windy to climb at 6th bolt. I do not say it is hard 9b after breaking the hold, but 100% it is 9b now (a bit harder than Marina).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45xlTby_S2A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkdGK0d8iOk

5th go, without resting hold [although] it is nonsense to consider it as prohibited

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdbKjPUDJVY

Second ascent.

https://www.climbing.com/news/groundbreaking-515-gets-second-ascent/

Second ascent.

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/adam-ondra-britains-first-8c-on-sight-and-9a-repeat.html

https://vimeo.com/24461554

Second ascent. Adam suggested 9a+ [1].

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/BepiiOxlmfe/

The first ever flash of a 9a+ route.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6OvrRbGU68

Adam suggested 9a+.

2nd ascent after 23 year, FA Stefan Furst in 1996. It took me over 10 years and roughly 10 days. 1st day this year. Stefan gave it 9a, possibly something have broken, but very possibly it has not got much harder due to breaks. I believe it is more 9a+ now, even though the crux is very hard to grade. The difficulty is not to be underestimated as the first 8c section is suprisingly tiring and makes the crux so much harder. [1]

[1] Adam's comments on 8a.nu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cjDRWBJl5c

Second ascent.

Adam suggested it could be 9a+:

Yess! very solid for that grade in my opinion, with good conditions much better, maybe 9a+ I do not know

https://www.facebook.com/adamondraofficial/photos/pcb.3877426219004530/3877402072340278/

Second ascent.

Second ascent.

4th go, normal 9a for tall [people], harder for short ones

Second ascent.

Second ascent.

Honestly one of the best climbs I have done, only Raindogs could be less polished

https://youtu.be/Fco-hX0PW_c?t=120

Long-term dream came true when I did not even expect it. I travelled to this incredible area, thinking that the route would be pretty dirty and abandoned after a long winter, but I found it perfectly cleaned with the draws hanging in. I admit that it is definitely not hard 9a, it definitely rather lower end, but it fits my style, I felt in very decent shape and I fought hard! For the first time in my life, I onsighted a route which had been suggested 9a and I could honestly believe that it could be in the 9a region. For all the others it was simply not case, even though it is very hard to judge it while you are onsighting. Beautiful moment and experience in the early morning session in some of the most breathtaking sportclimbing-wall I have ever seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA8Bjp4SOkA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3_4nAcA1us

Adam suggested 8c+/9a after coming close.

Putting the draws in!

https://vimeo.com/109956376

https://vimeo.com/channels/blackdiamond/53636034

An incredible onsight given the technical nature of the climbing.

A dream :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6floyyDP-w

If you asked me what was last year’s best sport-climbing achievement for me 🙏, I would probably reply “Warmduscher”.

https://www.emontana-magazine.com/adam-ondra-onsight-warmduscher/

The first 8c to be onsighted in the UK.

Narrowly missed out on True North dropping the last boulder problem.