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World’s Best Climber Sends New 5.15b to End 2021

Adam Ondra finishes the year by climbing a hard route with a V16 boulder problem

Adam Ondra has made the first ascent of a new 5.15b that he’s calling Taurus. It climbs up the Býčí skála Cave in Moravský kras in the Czech Republic, Ondra’s home country.

Ondra, who’s the only climber to ever redpoint 5.15d with Silence, said the nine-move crux of his new route is a V16 boulder problem. He topped it out with numb fingers in cold weather. The crag closes on Jan. 1 for a few months due to nesting birds, but when it reopens Ondra said he’ll check out ever more difficult sport routes.

About the climb, Ondra said, “The whole climb revolves around an insane left-hand sloper, which is around 45 degrees with zero friction limestone and getting the left heel-toe-cam out. Then getting one of the most heinous razorblade right hand, flat undercling left hand and final dyno into a good hold. So powerful and technical at the same time, very condition-dependent and very uninspiring? Well, I do not think so, I enjoyed the process a lot. I am happy I finished most of the projects in the lower tier of Byci skala and next season it will be time to finally take a look at the upper tier. Those lines are equally bouldery, but just much longer and probably much harder”

Ondra has sent more hard routes than anyone else in the history of climbing, with 200 being 5.14d or harder. On top of being the top sport climber, he’s repeated a number of hard multi-pitches including Dawn Wall, the famous 32-pitch 5.14d up El Capitan. He’s also the only climber in history to flash 5.15a, watch below. Earlier this year, Ondra said that he doesn’t think he’s the best climber in the world, see here for who he thinks is.

Adam Ondra 5.15a Flash

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