Chris Sharma repeated and conquered La Dura Dura in Oliana, Spain on March 23, 2013, after Adam Ondra made the first ascent back on February 7, 2013. This has been a long-term project of Sharma’s and a dream of his to send this 5.15c (9b+) 165-foot mega-pitch route. La Dura Dura is considered the world’s hardest sport climb and is the second route at a grade of 5.15b or harder that Sharma has completed in less than two months. He made the first ascent on Stoking the Fire (5.15b) located in the massive cave of Santa Linya, Spain on February 6, 2013.
When Sharma originally bolted La Dura Dura 4-5 years ago, he thought it’d be something for future generations as he didn’t think it was possible for him to send it. Fast forward a few years and young, determined, and accomplished Adam Ondra comes into the picture. The two motivated each other and worked extremely hard on this route. It gave Sharma the push he needed for his personal progression in climbing. You can see the camaraderie and physical/emotional struggle on the route that the two experience in the film La Dura Dura that was featured in Reel Rock 7.
They are both incredibly talented climbers with different approaches and styles in climbing; one from the younger generation of climbers and the other with more years under his belt; and in the end, they both came out victorious and now have the hardest sport route in the world on their climbing resumé. Sharma stated, “It’s cool how we both brought different things to the table, I had the vision for the route and Adam had the motivation. When we work together with a bit of friendly competition amazing things can happen!!” Congratulations Chris Sharma on a spectacular feat!
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