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Anatomy of a 430-Foot 5.15 Climb: See Bouin’s ‘Nordic Marathon’ Up Close

If you want to climb the world’s longest continuous 5.15 route, you’re going to need more than ridiculous fitness — you’ll also want tactics on your side.

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To ascend Seb Bouin’s Nordic Marathon, 5.15b/c (9b/+), climb out the roof of the famous Flatanger Cave for what seems like forever.

Then do it some more. Then some more after that.

That was the Frenchman’s protocol for the epic 430-foot undertaking, which he established by linking two existing pitches in the cave.

Rope transfers, strategically timed kneebars, and a feisty top-out that almost handcuffed him when onerous rope drag nearly pulled him down the cliff — see how Bouin did it all in this edit.

Runtime: 13 minutes

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