In late March, the best climber in the world effortlessly tucked away yet another elite-level first ascent — but this route’s a little different from his norm.
Typically, you’ll find Adam Ondra thrutching hard up some overhung roof or delicately negotiating razor-thin edges on a runout vert wall. But as perhaps the most well-rounded specialist in his trade — and most accomplished climber in history — the Czech scream machine has proven himself on almost every variety of formation.
From his accomplishments on single-pitch sport routes to exposed big walls, boulder problems, and off-width cracks, it should come as no surprise that he’s up for little 5.14 slab smearing.
This footage captures Ondra’s first ascent of “Diretta Italo Spagnola,” 5.14a, in Arco, Italy. He describes it as a 5-degree slab route with “very sketchy moves” and “good holds!”
Good holds? See for yourself.
Runtime: 7 minutes
