The Hardest Sport Climbs in the World
Over the past decade, these 5.15c and 5.15d routes have become the hardest ever sent. Here's who's climbed them
The first 5.15c was climbed a decade ago. There are now a dozen climbs graded 5.15c or 5.15d. Here’s the most up-to-date list to March 2023.
Silence 5.15d: Bolted by Adam Ondra in 2012 and first climbed by Ondra in 2017. The 45-metre cave route is found at Flatanger, Norway. While many strong climbers have tried it, only Ondra has been able to link every move.
DNA 5.15d: Bolted by Seb Bouin in 2019 and first climbed by Bouin in 2022. He spent over 150 days and over 250 attempts projecting the steep route in Verdon Gorge.
BIG 5.15d: In September 2023, Jakob Schubert made the first ascent of this monster route in Flatanger, Norway. The route was bolted by Adam Ondra and attempted by some of the world’s best climbers.
Sleeping Lion 5.15c: In March 2023, Chris Sharma sent this multi-year project in Siurana, Spain. Located near the famous La Rambla, this new 5.15c climbs a steep wall with several big moves. Read more about it here. (2024 update: Megos suggest 5.15b)
Change 5.15c: Bolted by Adam Ondra in 2012 and climbed by Ondra in 2012, Stefano Ghisolfi in 2020 and Seb Bouin in 2022. The 55-metre Flatanger route was the world’s first 5.15c. Bouin used a kneepad and suggested the route is 5.15b/c.
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La Dura Dura 5.15c: Bolted by Chris Sharma in 2009 and climbed by Adam Ondra in 2013 and Sharma in 2013. Found in Oliana, this was the first 5.15c repeat.
Vasil Vasil 5.15c: Bolted by Adam Ondra in 2009 and climbed by Ondra ins 2013. This short 12-metre route is found in the Czech Republic. It has 15 moves that lead from a 5.13d to a hard V14 problem. No other climbers have attempted it.
Perfecto Mundo 5.15c: Bolted by Chris Sharma in 2009 and climbed by Alex Megos in 2018, Stefano Ghisolfi in 2018 and Jakob Schubert in 2019. The Margalef route follows a steep line to a big dyno.
Bibiliographie 5.15c: Bolted by Ethan Pringle in 2009 and climbed by Alex Megos in 2020, Stefano Ghisolfi in 2021 and Sean Bailey in 2021. Megos attempted it for over 60 days and graded it 5.15d after sending. Ghisolfi downgraded it. Bailey had only climbed 5.15a before his send, so he skipped 5.15b.
Suprême Jumbo Love 5.15c: Bolted by Randy Leavitt around 2006 and by Chris Sharma in 2008, and climbed by Seb Bouin in 2022. This is the first 5.15c in America. It’s the direct start to Jumbo Love 5.15b at Clark Mountain.
Zvěřinec 5.15c: Bolted by Adam Ondra and first climbed by Adam Ondra in 2022. This was Ondra’s fourth 5.15c. It’s found at Moravian Karst in the Czech Republic. Ondra said this was the “second hardest route of my life” after Silence.
Excalibur 5.15c: Bolted by Cristian Dorigatti and Morris Fontanari and climbed by Stefano Ghisolfi in 2023. Ghisolfi put substantial effort into unlocking the complex beta in 2022, working the moves with some of the world’s top climbers including Adam Ondra, Will Bosi, and Jakob Schubert.
Mejorando la Samfaina 5.15c: Jorge Diaz-Rullo made the first ascent of this wild route in February 2023. Read the story about this route here.
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