The world’s most difficult sport climb is now rated 5.15d, thanks to Adam Ondra.
On Sept. 3, 2017, Adam Ondra successfully climbed “Silence,” a route he bolted in 2013 and has been attempting ever since.
He claims it’s harder than anything else he’s climbed, proposing a stiff 5.15d. No other routes have been climbed at 5.15d, and only a few exist at 5.15c.
Silence involves steep cave climbing in Flatanger, Norway. At one point during the route, the climber must flip both feet overhead in a totally horizontal finger-sized crack.
It looks impossible, the holds are imperceptible, and the body movement and flexibility required are superhuman.
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The new grade claim comes from the first and only climber to establish and then send multiple routes of 5.15c. If anyone has the authority to establish a new grade, it’s Adam Ondra.
‘Silence’: World’s First 5.15d
The route spans roughly 150 feet across the roof of a steep, granite cave. It starts off with 65 feet of 5.13d climbing, followed by a knee-bar rest, and then a 10-move V15 boulder problem crux, according to Rock and Ice.
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