Alex Megos has flashed Underground (9a) (9a) in Arco, Italy. The route was first climbed by Manfred Stuffer in 1998 and was once considered the hardest route in Italy.
Commenting on his ascent, Alex said: 'I did many trips to Arco but I was always saving this one for a potential flash try. I thought maybe I would feel ready one day.'
He started the day by climbing Claudio Caffè (8c+) (8c+) on his second attempt, before getting the 'perfect' beta for Underground from Cesar Grosso.
The route is the second 9a that the German superstar has done on his first attempt. In 2013, Megos onsighted Estado crítico (9a) at Siurana, Spain. Going for a slightly different approach on Underground, he got hold of all the beta he could and went for a flash instead of the onsight.
His flash of Underground tops off a superb summer for the 27-year-old. In early August, he climbed his first 9c (and the world's second) with his ascent of Bibliographie at Ceuse. A few days later, he made the second ascent of L'etrange Ivresse des Lentuers, a 9a+/9b of Adam Ondra's that has gone since 2010 without a repeat.
Comments
A fantastic effort from Alex! Alex has commented this morning on the grade on 8a.nu:
"I think that 9a seems a bit over the top. 8c+/9a is more appropriate but it could as well only be 8c+. It's always hard to say if you only tried once."
Would it be worth amending the grade to 8c+/9a in the report?
I don't know how many people have climbed Underground, but would imagine it is at least 10. If 9 say 9a and Alex says 8c+ does that really warrant a downgrade? He's clearly in exceptional form at the moment so maybe hes just stronger than he thinks?
(Just to add, I don't know if any previous ascensionists have suggested a downgrade...)
The original grade given was 8c+/9a.
There are some comments providing some context on Alex's instagram post which are worth a read
Polyglottastic...
Allez
Come on
komm schon
Vamoose