10 November 2023

Chris Sharma makes the FA of Black Pearl (9a+) DWS - Updated

Chris Sharma reports on Instagram that he has done the FA of Black Pearl (9a+) in Mallorca. Earlier this year, the 42-year-old, opened Sleeping Lion (9b+) and he says that his latest DWS might be his hardest ever. In 2007, he established Es Pontas (9a+) and later he put up Alasha (9a) and Big Fish (8c+/9a), all in Mallorca. These four FAs are the hardest DWS in the world. (c) Matty Hong

Climbing.com has the full story, where he among other things say. “It represented a progression in deep water soloing for me, and it was a very personal goal that I’ve pursued over the last four years,” says Sharma. “It’s one of a handful of routes that have been on my bucket list.”

8a followed up with some questions:
How did you project the route?
I tried it a lot on a rope especially the crux. Was really tricky aid to get in and figure out the sequence. The crux is not so high. Maybe 13 meters or so but it finishes on solid climbing quite high.

How many times did you fall from the crux and what about safety?
I fell lots of times. Not sure how many. I would always go with someone for safety reasons.

What is your next plan?
I’m psyched for some hard routes around Catalunya. Still lots of unfinished business 😀
6 comments
Sort by:
Date
Reply
Most commented
Jernej Kruder sends Martin Krpan (9a) sans knee pads

Jernej Kruder, who won the Boulder World Cup in 2018, has done Martin Krpan (9a) in Mišja Peč. “I would like to expose something here: I spent many tries on t…

Welcome to Vertical-Life Web

Six years after partnering with 8a.nu, we’re excited to announce the unification of the 8a.nu website and the Vertical-Life app into a single platform: Vertical…

Will Bosi repeats Return of the Sleepwalker (9A)

William Bosi has made the second ascent of Daniel Woods’ Return of the Sleepwalker (9A) in Black Velvet Canyon, after projecting it for 12 sessions. This was th…

Related
Michael Piccolruaz sends Alasha (9a) DWS

Michael Piccolruaz, who was #15 in the Tokyo Olympics, has repeated Chris Sharma's Alasha (9a) in Port de soller. The 27-year-old Italian is foremost a bouldere…

A sleeping lion no more! Interview with Chris Sharma and a look back at his greatest ascents

Two weeks ago, Chris Sharma, 41, made the FA of Sleeping Lion (9b+) in Siurana after projecting it for one and a half years. This was his first cutting-edge red…

Sanjski par extension 9a by Jernej Kruder

Jernej Kruder, who won the Boulder World Cup in 2018, has done Sanjski par extension (9a) in Osp - Banje in Babna. "Countless tries over the years. Big discussi…