Chris Sharma’s Sleeping Lion Gets Third Ascent
Jorge Díaz-Rullo just sent the 5.15 line in Siurana, Spain. Alex Megos made the second ascent last month.
Spanish climber Jorge Díaz-Rullo just announced that he made the third ascent of Sleeping Lion in Siurana. Chris Sharma established the route in March 2023, grading it 5.15c (9b+). The ascent came nearly 10 years after completing his first 5.15c, La Dura Dura in Oliana, Spain. Located at the famous El Pati crag, Sleeping Lion is a route characterized by stacked double-digit boulder problems separated by poor rest positions. Both tenuous and powerful, the route requires a wide range of skills through its 40 metres of climbing.
Alex Megos picked up the second ascent of the route early last month, instead suggesting a grade of 5.15b. “In the end it took me 8 days and I would suggest [5.15b], as both the [5.15c’s] I did took me at least twice as long,” said Megos. “Very happy to hear what other repeaters will say in the future!” Díaz-Rullo has yet to comment on the grade of the route.
“One of the routes of my infinite list of projects!” said Díaz-Rullo about Sleeping Lion on Instagram. “Between some things and others, this route has taken me more attempts than I originally thought. It has been very difficult to find the day without being too tired, with good skin and with good conditions here in Siurana. Sleeping lion has helped me to get in shape and continue very motivated with my next projects, but also, it has served me as a learning experience because at the same time I was working on it I have not been going through my best stage on a personal level. In the end, I did it! I am always grateful to all my friends who support me and make this process always easier.”
Díaz-Rullo kicked off 2024 strong, sending three hard routes over four days in early January – a 5.14d/15a, a 5.14d, and a first-go 5.14c. In 2023, Díaz-Rullo had the best climbing year of his life In February, he made the first ascent of his first-ever 5.15c, Mejorando la Samfaina in Margalef. The following month he repeated Alex Megos’ The Full Journey 5.15b, also in Margalef. Seven months later, he bagged his second 5.15c with a repeat of another Megos line, Bibliographie in Céüse.
Alex Megos sends Sleeping Lion
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