Seb Bouin Sends Decades-Old France Project

Seb Bouin recently sent a 20-year project in France he called Legend 5.14d at Pic Saint-Loup close to Monpellier in France.

Bouin added an extension to the 25-metre Legend that he hopes to send later. After his first ascent, he noted, “I did this beautiful powerful line today. For the grade I propose 9a [5.14d]. For sure one of the more beautiful on this crag.

Work in progress! Yet, "ariégeois cœur loyal", my latest bolted route, is harder than expected… Maybe 9a+/9b? I will try it again and again to find every pieces of this puzzle. Nice picture from @tilbyvattard of the calm before the storm. @blackdiamond @eb_climbing @blockout_montpellier @patxiusobiaga_pucseries @climbskinspain @yyvertical @mytendon @matahijuice #climbing_is_my_passion #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climbing #climb #climber #climbed #escalade #escalada #roof

A post shared by Seb Bouin (@sebbouin) on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:04am PDT

Bouin told Rock and Ice that he worked on the route for about two weeks and fell off the upper crux three times. Bouin noted he believes the extension will be in the 5.15 range and has dubbed it Ariegeois Coeur Loyal.

In 2016, Bouin made a rare repeat of Chilam Balam 5.15a/b in Spain, sent Thor’s Hammer 5.15a in Norway, made the first ascent of Mangarbo 5.14d/15a and Novena Enmienda 5.14d/15a.

"Legend"!!! The first route of the Pic saint Loup waited 20 years to have a Fisrt Ascent ?. I did this beautiful powerful line today. For the grade I propose 9a. For sure one of the more beautiful on this crag. It's time to pass on the next level : "ariégeois cœur loyal" the legend extension. It's my new bolted route where "legend" is just a way to arrive on the crux… As always, @raphaelfourau was present to capture this nice picture. @blackdiamond @eb_climbing @mytendon @blockout_montpellier @matahijuice @patxiusobiaga_pucseries @yyvertical #climbing_is_my_passion #climbing #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climber #climb #escalade #escalada #outdoor #project #rockclimber #rockprojects

A post shared by Seb Bouin (@sebbouin) on Jun 16, 2017 at 10:30am PDT