Stefano Ghisolfi Climbs Sleeping Lion 5.15b
This is the fourth ascent of the steep limestone route first climbed by Chris Sharma
Stefano Ghisolfi has repeated Chris Sharma’s Sleeping Lion 5.15b in Spain. Sharma made the first ascent in 2023, suggesting a grade of 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 in Siurana, 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. Sharma just released raw send footage of his first ascent, which you can view below.
Alex Megos made the second ascent of Sleeping Lion in early January 2024, instead suggesting a grade of 5.15b for the climb. Jorge Díaz-Rullo then made the third ascent the following month, believing the climb to be hard 5.15b.
“Climbing Sleeping Lion this week was an incredible culmination to a deep physical and mental experience and one of the best and hardest climbs of my life!” said Sharma in 2023. “After almost 30 years, it’s incredible to still feel so much passion for climbing. The places it takes us are incredible (on the outside and on the inside). I wanted to dedicate this climb to all the middle aged people,” he continued. “I know how much of a challenge it is to try and balance it all (and believe me I’m such a beginner in so many ways). I hope this can inspire you to awaken your own sleeping lion and claw your way to your dreams!”
Less than a month ago, Ghisolfi climbed The Full Journey 5.15b – read about it here. Ghisolfi has several hard routes to his name, including Excalibur 5.15c FA, Perfecto Mundo 5.15c, Change 5.15c, and Bibliographie 5.15c.
Sharma on Sleeping Lion
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