Sonnie Trotter Visits Frankenjura for First Time

Sonnie Trotter is making his first visit to Germany’s Frankenjura count as he’s teamed up with local crusher, Alex Megos.

After arriving two days ago, Trotter visited the local climbing gym and met up with Megos. On his second day, he made a trip to some of the crags Frankenjura.

For those who don’t know, Frankenjura is considered one of the top areas for sport climbing in Europe, and is the largest and best climbing area in Germany.

It’s near cities of Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Bayreuth in northern Bavaria, in southern Germany. There are nearly 1,000 crags in lush forests. Most of the routes are short powerful single pitch sport routes that are either vertical or overhanging. There are over 10,000 routes.

In 1991, Wolfgang Gullich sent Action Direct, considered the hardest route in the world and the first 5.14d or 9a.

Jerry Moffatt was another one of the strongest climbers in the world at the time. During the 1980s, he established cutting-edge routes at Smith Rock, Stanage, Raven Tor and Buoux. At Frankenjura, he established Stone Love 5.14a and Ekel 5.13a/b, among many other difficult test pieces.

“Very excited to have flashed my first Frankenjura 9+ today, with the ultra classic Jerry Moffat climb, Ekel, located at the Eldorado area,” wrote Trotter on his Facebook page. “Such a great, steep line.”

On the same day, Megos sent Moffat’s other route at the crag, Stone Love.

“This place is a step back in time, the rich history of climbing as we know it today is all around us,” said Trotter.

“Before this cliff, we climbed a couple of Kurt Albert 8’s, and Megos did a beauty Gullich 5.13c. So stoked to be here (finally) and getting the sweet local tour.”