| From: | USA 🇺🇸 |
| Date of birth: | 23rd April 1981 |
| Age: | 44 years old |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 183 cm |
| Weight: | 75 kg |
| Hardest Boulder (Worked): | 8C |
| Hardest Boulder (Flash): | 8A+ |
| Hardest Sport (Worked): | 9b+ |
| Hardest Sport (Onsight): | 8c |
| Hardest Sport (Flash): | 8b |
| Notable Partnerships | |
| Daila Ojeda | |
| Tommy Caldwell | |
| Dave Graham | |
| Contemporaries | |
| Tommy Caldwell | |
| Dave Graham | |
Chris Sharma started climbing in the 1990s aged 12 before winning the US national championships 2 years later. He went on to reinvigorate hard sport climbing in the US, quickly repeating many of the hardest lines before establishing his own hard routes such as Necessary Evil in 1997, the first 8c+/14c in the USA.
Through the rest of his career he took sport climbing in to the modern era by cementing the 9a+ and 9b grades with a string of cutting edge ascents throughout Europe (Golpe de Estado, Neanderthal, Stoking the Fire and many more), as well as adding some of the hardest routes in America with climbs such as Jumbo Love and Dreamcatcher.
Somewhat uniquely amongst his contemporaries, Chris' climbing has been well documented from a young age due to a close relationship with videographers Josh Lowell and Brett Lowell.
Alongside his sport climbing Chris is a prolific deep water soloist, climbing many of the existing hard lines and then adding many of his own: Es Pontas, Alasha, Black Pearl, Big Fish and Vision Quest being some of the hardest DWS lines in the world.
In 2023 he added Sleeping Lion (9b) in Siurana. Initially suggested at 9b+ it has settled at 9b after several repeats, but remains an impressive new addition at one of Spain's most famous crags.
[1] Interview with Jack Geldard for UKClimbing.com, 29th August 2012 https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/chris_sharma_talks_9b+-4894
[2] Rampage by Josh Lowell and Brett Lowell, 1999 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqe_w2JTlKM
[3] Best of the West, 2005 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6VZzVPnlVA
[4] Interview with Alex Honnold on Climbing Gold, 2nd April 2021 https://www.climbinggold.com/episodes/chapter-03
88 recorded ascents.
| Climb | Grade | Style | Ascent Date | Suggested Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Blond Harder than Perfecto Mundo. | 9c (approx) | Lead | did not finish | ||
| La Dura Dura Second ascent. | 9b+ | Lead | worked | 23rd Mar 2013 | 9b+ |
|
The first confirmed 9b+.
References[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1P97VVt6_k [2] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/interviews/chris-sharma-the-la-dura-dura-interview.html |
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| Jumbo Love First ascent. | 9b | Lead | worked | 11th Sep 2008 | |
| Golpe de Estado First ascent. | 9b | Lead | worked | 17th Dec 2008 | |
References |
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| Neanderthal First ascent. | 9b | Lead | worked | 18th Dec 2009 | 9b |
| First Round, First Minute First ascent. | 9b | Lead | worked | 19th Apr 2011 | 9b (hard) |
| Fight or Flight First ascent. | 9b | Lead | worked | 5th May 2011 | |
|
On the same day Chris climbed Chaxi as well as making a separate, very good attempt on Chaxiraxi! References[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKgZL2Etuc4 [2] https://climbingnarc.com/2011/05/two-5-15s-in-a-day-at-oliana-for-chris-sharma/ |
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| Ratstaman Vibrations | 9b | Lead | did not finish | 2012 | |
References |
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| Stoking the Fire First ascent. | 9b | Lead | worked | 6th Feb 2013 | 9b |
References |
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| El Bon Combat First ascent. | 9b | Lead | worked | 7th Mar 2015 | 9b/9b+ |
| Sleeping Lion First ascent. | 9b | Lead | worked | 28th Mar 2023 | 9b+ |
References[1] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,31921.msg675237.html#msg675237 [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgacMtKWDMM [3] Interview with Climbing Magazine, March 2023 https://www.climbing.com/news/exclusive-interview-chris-sharma-makes-5-15c-fa-in-siurana/ [4] https://www.instagram.com/p/CqdPXoIosXj/ [6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBG-8bFgopw [7] https://watch.reelrocktour.com/videos/sleeping-lion [8] https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/episodes/reel-rock-s9-e8 |
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| Biographie First ascent. | 9a+ | Lead | worked | 18th Jul 2001 | |
|
A breakthrough in Chris' climbing and one of the hardest routes in the world at the time.
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? |
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| La Rambla Extension Third ascent. | 9a+ | Lead | worked | Dec 2006 | |
|
The day after Eduard Marin made the second ascent. References |
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| La Novena Enmienda | 9a+ | Lead | worked | 2007 | |
References |
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| Three Degrees of Separation First ascent. | 9a+ | Lead | worked | 15th Jul 2007 | 9a |
| Papichulo First ascent. | 9a+ | Lead | worked | 31st May 2008 | |
| Demencia Senil First ascent. | 9a+ | Lead | worked | Feb 2009 | |
| Pachamama First ascent. | 9a+ | Lead | worked | 29th May 2009 | |
| Power Inverter First ascent. | 9a+ | Lead | worked | 2010 | |
| First Ley First ascent. | 9a+ | Lead | worked | 28th Feb 2010 | |
| Catxasa First ascent. | 9a+ | Lead | worked | 2011 | |
| Chaxi | 9a+ | Lead | worked | 5th May 2011 | |
|
The same day as Chris made the first ascent of Fight or Flight! References[1] https://climbingnarc.com/2011/05/two-5-15s-in-a-day-at-oliana-for-chris-sharma/ |
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| Joe Mama | 9a+ | Lead | worked | Oct 2016 | |
| Mutation | 9a+ | Lead | did not finish | ||
|
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| The Fly | 9a | Lead | worked | 30th Oct 2003 | |
|
Chris dropped the last move on his flash attempt. |
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| Dreamcatcher First ascent. | 9a | Lead | worked | Sep 2005 | |
References |
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| Gancho Perfecto First ascent. | 9a | Lead | worked | 2008 | 9a |
| Barrakito Puro y Dur | 9a | Lead | worked | 2009 | |
References |
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| Era Vella First ascent. | 9a | Lead | worked | 2010 | |
| Samfaina First ascent. | 9a | Lead | worked | 2010 | |
| Analógica First ascent. | 9a | Lead | worked | Feb 2010 | |
References |
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| Tierra Negra First ascent. | 9a | Lead | worked | Oct 2012 | |
| La Reina Mora | 9a | Lead | worked | Dec 2022 | |
References |
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| Necessary Evil First ascent. | 8c+ | Lead | worked | 17th Mar 1997 | |
|
Age 15. Chris had been climbing for a little over 3 years when he made the ascent, at the time one of the hardest routes in the US alongside Just Do It. References |
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| Just Do It Fourth ascent. 3 sessions. | 8c+ | Lead | worked | Apr 1997 | |
|
First American ascent. Famously Chris took his jumper off mid-route, this was very memorable because at the time it was one of the hardest routes in America, and to climb the route with such apparent casualness signalled to many that a new generation of US climbing talent had arrived that was a equal to those operating at the highest levels in sport climbing. References[1] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/alan-watts-climbing-interview.html [2] https://www.instagram.com/p/BddU4Qln3au/ [3] On The Edge Issue 69, page 8 |
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| Lucifer Second go. | 8c+ | Lead | worked | 2008 | |
|
A very impressive second-go effort. Chris had previously pulled up to the first bolt to check some holds but the decided to try something else, he then came back to it in 2008 and did it first go that day. References[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/purgatory_rrgpmrp-21440/lucifer-346990 |
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| Spicy Noodle First ascent. | 8c+ | Lead | worked | 2009 | |
| Everything is Karate Second ascent. | 8c+ | Lead | worked | Before 11th Dec 2017 | |
References |
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| Cornerstone First ascent? | 8c+ | Lead | worked | Before 12th Oct 2022 | |
References |
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| Super Tweak | 8c | Lead | worked | Jul 1996 | |
| Legend of the Overfield First ascent. | 8c | Lead | worked | 1997 | |
References[1] On The Edge Issue 71, page 16 |
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| Hasta la Vista First ascent. 3 sessions. | 8c | Lead | worked | 1997 | |
References[1] On The Edge Issue 71, page 16 |
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| Facil First ascent. | 8c | Lead | worked | 1997 | |
References[1] On The Edge Issue 71, page 16 |
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| Mind Control First ascent. | 8c | Lead | worked | 2009 | |
References[1] https://www.8a.nu/news/mind-control-grade-confirmed-at-8c |
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| Groove Train | 8c | Lead | worked | 2013 | |
References |
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| V for Vendetta | 8c | Lead | onsight | 1st Apr 2022 | |
References |
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| Samsara First ascent. | 8c | Lead | worked | Oct 2025 | |
References |
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| The Big Smile First ascent. 1 session. | 8c | Lead | worked | ||
| To Bolt or Not to Be | 8b+ | Lead | worked | Apr 1998 | |
| Biotop | 8b+ | Lead | onsight | 2002 | |
References[1] On The Edge 122, page 14. |
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| Free at Last Second go. | 8b | Lead | worked | 1997 | |
References[1] On The Edge Issue 71, page 16 |
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| Read My Lips | 8b | Lead | flash | 1997 | 8b |
References[1] On The Edge Issue 71, page 16 |
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| Chouca | 8a+ | Lead | flash | 1998 | |
References |
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| Esplendor Geometrico First ascent. | 8a+ | Deep Water Solo | ||
| Raindogs | 8a | Lead | onsight | 2009 | |
| Climb | Grade | Style | Ascent Date | Suggested Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Witness the Fitness First ascent. | 8C | Boulder | worked | Mar 2005 | |
| Dreamtime (pre break) Fourth ascent. | 8B+ | Boulder | worked | Aug 2002 | |
| The Never Ending Story (Part 1+2) First ascent. | 8B+ | Boulder | worked | 2003 | |
| Dreamtime (pre break) | 8B+ | Boulder | worked | Aug 2004 | 8B+ |
References |
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| Practice of the Wild First ascent. | 8B+ | Boulder | worked | Aug 2004 | |
| Esperanza Third ascent. | 8B+ | Boulder | worked | Dec 2004 | |
| Catalan Witness the Fitness First ascent. | 8B+ | Boulder | worked | 2nd Jan 2016 | |
| Off the Wagon | 8B+ | Boulder | did not finish | ||
|
Chris came very close to making the first ascent, dropping the campus move to the slot. |
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| Goldfish Trombone | 8B+ | Boulder | worked | ||
| Slashface | 8B | Boulder | worked | 1999 | |
| Dominated First ascent. | 8B | Boulder | worked | Apr 2002 | |
| Middle Trifecta First ascent. | 8B | Boulder | worked | 2005 | |
References |
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| Impossible Traverse First ascent. | 8B | Boulder | worked | Before 1st Jan 2006 | |
| Iron Resolution First ascent. | 8B | Boulder | worked | ||
References |
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| The Mandala First ascent. | 8A+ | Boulder | worked | 2000 | |
| The Buttermilker First ascent. | 8A+ | Boulder | worked | Before 25th Jan 2001 | |
| Dominator | 8A+ | Boulder | worked | Before 30th Jun 2002 | |
|
In June! |
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| Captain Hook First ascent. | 8A+ | Boulder | worked | 2003 | |
| Massive Attack | 8A+ | Boulder | flash | 1st Jul 2003 | |
| Sharma's Problem First ascent. | 8A+ | Boulder | worked | ||
| The Egg First ascent. | 8A | Boulder | worked | 1999 | |
| Stick It | 8A | Boulder | worked | Before 1st Jan 2000 | |
References[1] On The Edge Issue 91, page 49 |
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| Evilution to the Lip First ascent. | 7C+ | Boulder | worked | ||
| The Force | 7C | Boulder | worked | Before 1st Jan 2000 | |
References[1] On The Edge Issue 91, page 49 |
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| Climb | Grade | Style | Ascent Date | Suggested Grade |
|---|
| Climb | Grade | Style | Ascent Date | Suggested Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Es Pontas First ascent. | 9a+ | Deep Water Solo | worked | 26th Sep 2007 | |
| Black Pearl First ascent. | 9a+ | Deep Water Solo | worked | 7th Nov 2023 | |
References[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CzcGOI4vbPK/ [2] https://www.climbing.com/news/chris-sharma-just-sent-his-hardest-deep-water-solo-to-date/ [3] https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzerOobJSiT/ [4] https://woguclimbing.com/chris-sharma-primera-ascension-black-pearl-joya-del-psicobloc-mallorca/ [5] https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz6xF3sLEtd/ [6] https://gripped.com/profiles/chris-sharma-what-it-took-to-climb-black-pearl/ |
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| Alasha First ascent. | 9a | Deep Water Solo | worked | Sep 2016 | |
| Vision Quest First ascent. Over 30 sessions. | 9a | Deep Water Solo | worked | 19th Dec 2024 | |
|
More than 30 days of work over 6 months.
References[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/DDz9ac_Nefy/?hl=en [2] https://www.8a.nu/news/vision-quest-9a-fa-by-chris-sharma-qy5mj |
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| Big Fish First ascent. | 8c+ | Deep Water Solo | worked | Sep 2017 | 8c+/9a |
| Honey Cane First ascent. | 8c | Deep Water Solo | worked | Before 1st Sep 2024 | |
| Ring of Fire Second ascent. | 8b+ | Deep Water Solo | ground up | Sep 2004 | |
| Sharma Line First ascent. | 8b+ | Deep Water Solo | ground up | 15th Jun 2017 | |
| Face Your Fear First ascent. | 8b | Deep Water Solo | worked | Sep 2024 | |