Alex Megos Sends Hubble, Comments on Grade

Alex Megos, 22, is one of the world’s strongest climbers and he recently sent the Ben Moon test-piece Hubble at Raven Tor. The 1990 climb was first graded 5.14c and was repeated four times by Malcolm Smith, John Gaskins, Steve Dunning and Steve McClure. Some climbers have speculated it was the world’s first 5.14d after Adam Ondra and Sean McColl struggled on it.

After Megos sent Hubble, the climbing world hushed to hear what he would say about the grade. Megos said, “Action Directe is 16 hard moves and Hubble is only four. Each of the four moves of Hubble is more difficult than any of Action Directe. I climbed three 5.14cs in Raven Tor: Hubble, Kabaah and Evolution. I had the most difficulty on Kabaah, although I still consider it 5.14c. Hubble is 5.14d for some and not for others.”

Megos is the only climber to send Hubble and Action Directe, which has long been considered the first 5.14d. Action Directe was first climbed in 1991 by Wolfgang Gullich, one year after Moon sent Hubble. Other of Megos’ big sends include First Round, First Minute 5.15b; Lucid Dreaming V15 and Realization 5.15a in three attempts. He has made a dozen first ascents of 5.14d or harder and has sent nearly 30.

8c+, 9a+ or 8b+. Who cares?! It’s the name that counts! And the name is HUBBLE! It’s a piece of history! Thanks Ben Moon for putting up that thing and for having a vision! A vision for what is possible, the next step! @redbulladventure @redbullgermany @dmm_wales @patagonia_climb @tenayaclimbing @sterlingrope @entreprisesclimbing @aeetechnologyde #hubble #raventor #oldschool Pic @dave_heaton

A photo posted by @alexandermegos on Jun 1, 2016 at 1:58pm PDT