Chris Sharma has made the first ascent of Stoking the fire, 9b, at Santa Linya, Spain

Just as the climbing world was eagerly expecting to hear the news that either Chris or Adam Ondra had made the first ascent of the La dura, dura-project at Oliana, Chris did the unexpected and managed to finish off one of his other long term projects:

The last couple of years I've been focusing all of my energy trying these insanely hard projects that I've rarely had the pleasure to actually send a route. Today in Santa Linya was one of those illusive moments. I sent a project that I've been trying the last few years. I think I'm going to call it Stoking The Fire and I think it's pretty solid 9b. So many hard complex sequences with no rests! Climbing is so much about the process and all of the lessons we learn along the way but it sure is good to get to the top once in a while. It's nice to remember what that feels like and that I still have it in me! Psyched for more!!

This was Chris' 6th 9b after Jumbo Love, Golpe de Estado, Neanderthal, First Round First Minute and Fight or Flight.

I'll try to get a hold of Chris as soon as possible for a chat.