Pierre Shankland climbs Sever the Wicked Hand (9a)

Pierre Shankland, who did his first two 9a’s last year, has done Sever The Wicked Hand (9a) in Frankenjura. (c) Pierre Minaret

Can you tell us more about the ascent and the process behind?
I first came to try Sever the Wicked Hand last November, but the conditions were absolutely horrible. It rained for ten days straight and was freezing cold. I still managed to try the route a few times, falling on the chain of Battle Cat (8c) (which shares the same ending) because the final crack was completely wet.

I came back last month for a short trip and got on it again with Sven Lempereur. We both put in some good tries, falling a few times in the long endurance section at the very end. Yesterday was my first session of my third trip, and I sent it first go ! I felt way stronger on the middle crux (a fingery 7c+/8a boulder problem) and fought all the way to the anchor.

Super happy with this send! The route is probably in the low 9a range, or hard 8c+. The trip isn’t over yet, I’m planning to try the right exit Style boys (9a) as well as Action Directe (9a) with Ludo Delmotte.