UKC

What Has Ondra Ever Done On Grit? 3 E7 Onsights!Video

© Lyon Equipment

In the UK on a whirlwind tour for his sponsor La Sportiva, Adam Ondra - the Czech super climber - has had a day out on our famous gritstone edges, where he managed to onsight three E7 routes back to back, after nipping out early to Raven Tor to try Hubble (8c+/9a).

He had some very quick and unfortunately unsuccessful attempts on the limestone sport route of Hubble (8c+/9a)  and then onsighted Master's Edge (E7 6b), Messiah (E6/7 6c) and Balance It Is (E7 6c).

Here's the video: Adam Ondra hits the grit!

Adam Ondra onsighting Master's Edge, Millstone (E7 6b)  © Lyon Equipment
Adam Ondra onsighting Master's Edge, Millstone (E7 6b)
© Lyon Equipment
Ondra was climbing with top UK climber and coach Neil Gresham (well done again Neil on the 8c last December!), who said this about Adam's visit:

"Adam came armed with a big ticklist, he knew what he wanted to do and I was impressed how much he knew all about the routes.

"Not only was his climbing super inspirational, particularly with all the pressure and expectation from onlookers, but he was a thoroughly likable and modest guy. It was inevitable that it would leak on Twitter that Adam Ondra tried Hubble during his 1-day visit to the Peak. To call it a quick play would be an understatement.

After a late slideshow in London on the Friday night, we arrived in Hathersage at 3am and were up at 5.30 to sneak in a 2 hour Raven tor hit before work duties commenced. It was raining, humid and warm and a crucial foothold required repeated drying. But in an absurd feat of 'interval style' redpointing, he hit the last hold 3 times in a row, with ten minute rests between burns.

Last time he visited the UK, his priority was his repeat of Overshadow 9a+ and this time it was sponsorship commitments. His eagerness to visit the tor against all odds sums up just how much he rates British climbing. Adam paid tribute to Hubble, confirming that it was 9a and similar in difficulty to Action Directe. In my opinion, he is one of the greatest ambassadors this sport has ever seen."

Adam Ondra onsighting Messiah (E6/7 6c)  © Lyon Equipment
Adam Ondra onsighting Messiah (E6/7 6c)
© Lyon Equipment
Adam Ondra onsighting Balance it is (E7 6c)  © Lyon Equipment
Adam Ondra onsighting Balance it is (E7 6c)
© Lyon Equipment

Ondra is no stranger to the UK, having previously climbed at Malham and Kilnsey (see our big Adam Ondra Interview) where he made ascents of most of the hard routes. He did try Hubble back in 2012 and suggested that it might be 9a (UKC News Item).

Feeling good after the grit, Adam decided to onsight a 9a in Spain - maybe he had a few pints of real ale in the Broadfield to get his strength up?!


 Adam Ondra is sponsored by: Beal, Black Diamond, Entre-Prises, Hudy Sports, La Sportiva and Montura


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Born in the Czech Republic, Adam Ondra has built up a decorated career since his early competitions, winning his first World Championships medal in 2009 in lead climbing. He was a favourite for Tokyo 2020 gold, but an...

Adam's Athlete Page 140 posts 51 videos



6 May, 2014
Great effort by such an inspiring climber. The talk he gave in London was great
6 May, 2014
onsight or flash? definitely sounded like some useful beta being shared there!
6 May, 2014
Almost certainly a flash since Neil showed Adam how cams worked before he set off.
6 May, 2014
But what has he ever done on North Yorks grit?
6 May, 2014
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story. :)
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