18 March 2025
Chris Sharma's footage of Black Pearl (9a+) DWS
Chris Sharma made the FA of Black Pearl (9a+) in 2023 and now the video has been released. Although Deep Water Solo has been practised for almost 50 years, it did not gain global recognition until 2006 when Chris made the groundbreaking ascent of Es Pontas (9a+). Since then, the 43-year-old legend has made the FA of
Big Fish (8c+/9a), Alasha (9a), Black Pearl (9a+) and last December, Vision Quest (9a). This means Sharma has completed all five of the world's most challenging DWS routes, and every single one of them is in Mallorca!
Here are some of his comments to Vertical-Life for Black Pearl. "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. I fell lots of times. Not sure how many. I would always go with someone for safety reasons."
Here are some of his comments to Vertical-Life for Black Pearl. "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. I fell lots of times. Not sure how many. I would always go with someone for safety reasons."
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