Adam Ondra on Thursday, linking the well-known La Dura Dura project in Oliana, Spain. Speaking to climbing site 8a.nu, Ondra said he almost didn’t try the route the day he sent.
“It was 2nd day on, my forearms felt sore in the morning. I was thinking of calling it a rest day,” Ondra said in a text message. “But I was less nervous and battled through the bottom and got very pumped to the 2nd crux, where I didn’t fall despite no expectations. Sticking the jug, I felt like having a heat attack but I kept it together.”
Ondra has proposed a grade of 5.15c—the hardest in the world—for La Dura Dura. Originally equipped by Chris Sharma, the 165-foot sport pitch is Ondra’s second proposed 5.15c, following his first ascent of Change last year.
On Monday, Sharma completed another hard route, sending his long-time project Stoking the Fire, for which he’s suggested a grade of 5.15b.