Adam Ondra opens with B je to! (9b) the most difficult route in Croatia

The Czech Adam Ondra manages the first free ascent of Route B ever! near Vranjaca, Croatia. As a rating, Ondra suggests 9b, which makes the line the most difficult sport climbing route in Croatia.

Back in August, Ondra traveled to Paklenica in Croatia as part of a family trip. During the trip he drilled two new lines in the impressive Vranjaca cave. During his stay he managed the easier tour called A je to, rated 9a/a+. Ondra ran out of time for the more difficult line.

  • Adam Ondra on the first ascent of B je to_Paklenica_Kroatien_9b_Image Kuba Sobotka
  • Adam Ondra in the no-hand rest from B je to_Image Kuba Sobotka

Unfinished business completed

Ondra didn’t let the “unfinished business” sit for long. He recently took a trip to Croatia to tackle the more difficult line. On the second day, Ondra clipped the detour on Route B je to! at the last minute.

I had a very tough fight in the key point and had to give it my all in the sequence afterwards.

Adam Ondra

Adam Ondra on the first ascent of B je to! (9b)

As for the level of difficulty, Ondra wasn't entirely sure. At the beginning of the project planning, Ondra asked himself the big question of whether B would ever be possible! is really a 9b or should rather be given a slash grade. But his current condition and the fact that the route suits him in terms of style prompted him to choose the difficult level.

The key position suits me in terms of style and I feel very fit at the moment, which is why I suggest 9b.

Adam Ondra

That might interest you

Do you like our climbing magazine? When launching the climbing magazine Lacrux, we decided not to introduce a paywall because we want to provide as many like-minded people as possible with news from the climbing scene.

In order to be more independent of advertising revenue in the future and to provide you with even more and better content, we need your support.

Therefore: Help and support our magazine with a small contribution. Naturally you benefit multiple times. How? You will find out here.

Cover Cuba Sobotka

News

First ascent of the Spantik East Ridge – a milestone for Pakistani mountaineering

Not exactly fresh news, but still worth mentioning. From...

First female Ascent: Camilla Moroni masters “Histoire sans Fin” 

Camila Moroni makes history: together with Pietro Vidi, she successfully repeats the Swiss trad testpiece Histoire sans Fin (8b+). Moroni becomes the first woman to free climb the 200m multi-pitch route. 

Pepa Sindel (17) climbs legendary Action Directe (9a) in the Franconian Jura

Czech climber Pepa Šindel has climbed his ninth 9a route, the legendary Action Directe in the Northern Franconian Jura. At 17, he is one of the younger, but not the youngest, climbers of the iconic route, which Wolfgang Güllich first climbed to its grade in 1991.

La Sportiva Trango Alpine GTX – Product presentation of an alpine all-rounder 

Today we would like to introduce you to the Trango Alpine GTX, a lightweight and versatile mountain boot for all kinds of alpine adventures.

First ascent of the Spantik East Ridge – a milestone for Pakistani mountaineering

Not exactly fresh news, but still worth mentioning. From June 2 to 7, 2025, French alpinist Mathieu Maynadier, together with Pakistani...

First female Ascent: Camilla Moroni masters “Histoire sans Fin” 

Camila Moroni makes history: together with Pietro Vidi, she successfully repeats the Swiss trad testpiece Histoire sans Fin (8b+). Moroni becomes the first woman to free climb the 200m multi-pitch route. 

Pepa Sindel (17) climbs legendary Action Directe (9a) in the Franconian Jura

Czech climber Pepa Šindel has climbed his ninth 9a route, the legendary Action Directe in the Northern Franconian Jura. At 17, he is one of the younger, but not the youngest, climbers of the iconic route, which Wolfgang Güllich first climbed to its grade in 1991.