That Gnarly Knee-Drop by Adam Ondra on Fight Club

Adam Ondra climbed his way through the local 5.14s, onsighting up to 5.14c and downgrading 5.15s to 5.14s, and he’s now working on even harder climbs.

At Acephale, Ondra has put about a week into a thin and technical variation to an existing climb. As of July 16, he couldn’t piece it together, saying the low-percentage holds continue to be a struggle.

In 2016, Alex Megos made the first ascent of Fight Club 5.15b in Banff and no one has been able to repeat it.

Ondra has spent a few days on the steep route at Ravens Crag but has not been able to send, somewhat due to the seeping rock.

About Canada’s only 5.15, Ondra said, “Two days of work into Fight Club 5.15b. Found some good beta, made it even through the crux move in one try, but then slipped immediately because of (still) dry skin.

“Unfortunately there is a hold high up that broke last year which will make the top pretty spicy if you come from the ground. Lets see.”

Part way up the steep climb, Ondra throws in a technical knee-bar. See below.

Ondra’s Canadian Sends, So Far
Honour and Glory 5.14d
First Flight 5.14c onsight
Existence Mundane 5.14b onsight
Ojas 5.14a onsight
Endless Summer 5.13b onsight
Whale Back 5.13c osight
Army Ants 5.13c flash
The Shine 5.14a
Leviathan 5.14a
Hairball Direct 5.13d first ascent
Beam me up Scotty 5.13c

I’m not sure knees are supposed to do this. We are here in ?? filming with @adam.ondra for @reelrock

A post shared by Brett Lowell (@brettlowell) on Jul 14, 2018 at 9:12am PDT