13-Year-Old Climbs a 5.14a in France
In 2022, he became the youngest climber ever to send 5.14d
Théo Blass, who’s 13 years old, has just repeated a steep 5.14a at Saint Leger du Ventoux, France, called Panonoramix – watch the send below. He climbed his first 5.14c at only 11.
At 12 years old and nine months, Blass redpointed Trip Tik Tonik 5.14d after 10 sessions, a route found at Gorges du Loup. It made him the youngest climber to redpoint the grade. The previous youngest climber to send 5.14d was Gianluca Vighetti, who was two months older. Blass said that he dreamed of climbing 5.14d at a younger age than when Adam Ondra climbed the grade, which was 13 years old.
Blass’s father, Vladimir Arnaoudov, talked to 8a.nu about him, saying, “He’ got his eyes set on a few harder routes in the 9th degree [5.14d], but he is a bit too short for them now. He can do practically all the moves of his harder projects, but using different sequences and sometimes higher feet, which makes them even harder, so he decided to be patient and while he is waiting to grow he will continue to focus on easier routes where he has more fun.”
Blass had a slow winter as he suffered from a bout with the flu, but has been regaining his strength. Already this season, he’s climbed Biotpo 5.14a, La Theorie des Cordes 5.14c and Crazy World 5.14c.
Blass on Panonoramix 5.14a
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