23 March 2026
Jorge Diaz-Rullo proposes 9c for Cafรฉ Colombia
Jorge Diaz-Rullo elaborates on the reasons for him to suggest 9c for Cafรฉ Colombia on Instagram, which he took down last week after projecting it for 240 sessions. (c) Adri Martinez
โProposing a grade for a first ascent is never easy, especially for a project that has pushed me to my limit for years. I feel a great sense of responsibility, particularly since this is one of the hardest routes in the world, so I think itโs worth taking the time to stop and reflect carefully.
Before making a grade proposal, Iโve tried to set my emotions aside and be as analytical as possible. Iโve also asked for other peopleโs opinions, because in a way, something like this feels bigger than me. Even so, I admit I still have doubts, and Iโm sure I still will until more climbers are able to try it and share their views.
The route has taken me to a level of effort I have never experienced before, both physically and mentally. Factors like conditions and skin added a level of complexity that led to many more days of work, and although they are not directly reflected in the grade itself, they are hard to separate completely from the overall experience of the route. In any case, it felt significantly harder than the 9b+ routes Iโve done before.
Based on my experience, thereโs a part of me that feels it could be harder than 9c. Even breaking it down into sections and using tools like Darth Grader, the results point towards 9c+. But I donโt really know what 9c+ feels like. I donโt even have a clear idea of what 9c/+ would feel like. So I donโt think it would be reasonable to propose a grade like that.
For all these reasons, Iโve decided to propose 9c. I believe itโs the most honest and logical option, as it reflects a clear step up from the hardest routes Iโve done so far.
Beyond the grade, what truly makes me happy is having achieved something like this. Now I am excited and looking forward to future repeats and to hearing what other climbers think about the grade.โ
โProposing a grade for a first ascent is never easy, especially for a project that has pushed me to my limit for years. I feel a great sense of responsibility, particularly since this is one of the hardest routes in the world, so I think itโs worth taking the time to stop and reflect carefully.
Before making a grade proposal, Iโve tried to set my emotions aside and be as analytical as possible. Iโve also asked for other peopleโs opinions, because in a way, something like this feels bigger than me. Even so, I admit I still have doubts, and Iโm sure I still will until more climbers are able to try it and share their views.
The route has taken me to a level of effort I have never experienced before, both physically and mentally. Factors like conditions and skin added a level of complexity that led to many more days of work, and although they are not directly reflected in the grade itself, they are hard to separate completely from the overall experience of the route. In any case, it felt significantly harder than the 9b+ routes Iโve done before.
Based on my experience, thereโs a part of me that feels it could be harder than 9c. Even breaking it down into sections and using tools like Darth Grader, the results point towards 9c+. But I donโt really know what 9c+ feels like. I donโt even have a clear idea of what 9c/+ would feel like. So I donโt think it would be reasonable to propose a grade like that.
For all these reasons, Iโve decided to propose 9c. I believe itโs the most honest and logical option, as it reflects a clear step up from the hardest routes Iโve done so far.
Beyond the grade, what truly makes me happy is having achieved something like this. Now I am excited and looking forward to future repeats and to hearing what other climbers think about the grade.โ
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Jorge Diaz-Rullo reports on Instagram that he has made the first ascent of Cafe Colombia in Margalef. At 27, heโs already stacked four 9b+ sends and now heโs adโฆ
26 January 2026
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Sean Bailey reports on Instagram that he has done the first ascent of Duality of Man (9c) in Dry Canyon. โ After four total years and three seasons of climbing,โฆ
23 March 2026
Jorge Diaz-Rullo proposes 9c for Cafรฉ Colombia
Jorge Diaz-Rullo elaborates on the reasons for him to suggest 9c for Cafรฉ Colombia on Instagram, which he took down last week after projecting it for 240 sessioโฆ
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