Seb Berthe risks, fights and is rewarded

Seb Berthe manages the onsight ascent of Ajo Crudo (8c) in the Spanish climbing area La Cicera near Picos de Europa. For the Belgian professional climber it is the first 8c route that he can climb in this style.

Seb Berthe, known for his successes on difficult multi-pitch routes around the world, stands out for once with another achievement: he succeeds with Ajo Crudo (8c) in La Cicera his most difficult onsight ascent so far.

It was definitely a big moment, cheered on by good friends to fight up this seemingly endless groin route.

Seb Berthe
Deserved fist bump: Seb Berthe manages the onsight ascent of the 8c route Ajo Crudo in La Cincera. Image: Christoph Muster
Deserved fist bump: Seb Berthe manages the onsight ascent of the 8c route Ajo Crudo in La Cincera. Image: Christoph Muster

Balance between risk and good beta

The inspection of Ajo Crudo really means a lot to him, says Seb Berthe. "Onsight climbing is a discipline that I really love and have done many times."

Onsight climbing is all about finding a good balance between the risks you can take and the beta.

Seb Berthe

In order to be able to make the necessary decisions quickly, Berthe had to fall back on his entire wealth of experience, which he had collected from all the kilometers on the rock. "8c onsight was definitely a big goal for me in 2023."

The Ajo Crudo route offers everything Seb Berthe needed for an onsight ascent: sustained, slightly overhanging climbing on ledges with good resting points between the individual sections. Image: Christoph Muster
The Ajo Crudo route offers everything Seb Berthe needed for an onsight ascent: sustained, slightly overhanging climbing on ledges with good resting points between the individual sections. Image: Christoph Muster

Catch the right moment

Ajo Crudo turned out to be a good route choice in this respect: long, crimpy, slightly overhanging and with good resting positions between the individual sections. A climbing style in which Seb Berthe feels comfortable. "I took the opportunity and just didn't let go, even if my body wanted it several times during the inspection."

Catching the right moment on the right route is what onsighting is all about.

Seb Berthe

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Credits: Cover picture Christopher Muster

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