Stefan Hochbaum footage of the Obsidian (8C+) FA

At the beginning of February, Stefan Hochbaum made the first ascent of Obsidian (8C+) in Scharfenstein, a boulder known as the "King Kong Project" for 17 years. He spent three years working on it, requiring over 55 sessions to complete the climb.

The problem can be broken down into two sections: a difficult 8A+ start that leads directly into an 8B+ boulder with no rest in between. This combination made it incredibly challenging to send. The entire climb consists of 12 moves, with the crux in the final three.

Obsidian demands extreme power endurance, body tension, and finger strength—three key areas Stefan focused on in his training, with board training and fingerboarding playing a crucial role. During his first year on the project, conditions were relatively good, but the last two years were tough, making consistent attempts nearly impossible. This inconsistency added to the challenge, both physically and mentally. Yet, the project remained on his mind, and he was determined to complete it. In the end, it was the hardest climb he had ever attempted and the biggest mental battle he had faced.