In search of optimal conditions for a climbing trip, Adam Ondra chose the Spanish area of La Pedriza. There he managed the most significant bouldering flash ascent of his career to date with El Elegido (8B+/C).
The Spanish climbing area offers slab climbing, trad climbing and bouldering opportunities at their finest The Pedriza. Adam Ondra wanted to visit the area for a long time, but somehow it never worked out.
The circumstances and the bad weather in many other areas have finally led me to Pedriza.
Adam Ondra
Ondra's decision was spot on. The Czech was offered the best conditions and he knew how to make the most of them. Accompanied by Jose Luis Palao Peinado, Adam Ondra moved around the blocks, finally aiming for a flash ascent of a particularly challenging boulder: The chosen one (8B+/C), first ascended by Beto Rocasolano.
The line runs from a roof area in the lower right part of the block to the left over a sloper to the boulder's exit. "Even though El Elegido is the most important flash ascent of my career, I cannot leave the slash grade as it is." While many would have been satisfied for the day, Ondra added a first ascent of an 8B+ boulder called Elemental on the same block.
The first ascent of 'Elemental' is a direct exit from El Elegido. Even though this variant is a little more difficult, I suggest the same grade.
Adam Ondra
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Credits: Cover photo Ruben Diaz