Climbers logged major achievements across sport, bouldering, trad and alpine climbing. Highlights included Jakob Schubert’s first repeat of the 5.15d route DNA, Pietro Vidi’s second ascent of the 5.15a trad route Drifter’s Escape, and a new 1,400-meter route in Pakistan’s Batura Muztagh.

By the Numbers
  • DNA: 5.15d; Schubert became the first to climb two routes at that grade.
  • Drifter’s Escape: 5.15a trad, confirmed by its second ascent.
  • Koz Sar: 6,677 meters; the new south-face route spans 1,400 meters and took 14 days to climb.
Yes, But

Grades remain open to debate: Adam Ondra repeated Exodia, originally graded V18, but rated it V17. By contrast, Vidi’s repeat confirmed Drifter’s Escape at 5.15a trad.

State of Play
  • Sport climbing saw new 5.15 routes and ascents, including Schubert’s DNA repeat and Sonnie Trotter’s fifth ascent of Midnight Way at age 46.
  • Ritsu Kayotani made his first V17 ascent with No One Mourns the Wicked, while Scotland’s E11 route Rhapsody had several repeats, including its first female ascent by Lara Neumeier.
Bottom Line

The month’s standout story was the breadth of progress: climbers pushed limits on established grades while opening demanding new ground in the mountains.