Jernej Kruder is the first climber ever to achieve what only Pete Whittaker has done before: the tough trad route Crown Royale (9a) in the Norwegian Jøssingfjord – one of the most difficult crack lines in the world.
The Slovenian climber Jernej Kruder After retiring from competitive climbing, he is now dedicated to the world's biggest kinglines: last year he completed the legendary Risstour Greenspit (8b/+) in the Valle dell'Orco and the hybrid route The witch (9a) in La Pedriza, on El Capitan he climbed the route together with Dirk Uhlig El corazon (35 pitches, 8a).
I'm getting better and better at crack climbing and was looking for a new project in Europe.
Jernej Kruder
Especially after his commission of Greenspit Jernej Kruder knew he needed a new crack project. "I was able to climb Greenspit relatively quickly and was looking for a bigger challenge," says the 34-year-old.
The 2020 European Bouldering Champion finally found what he was looking for in Norway, where he is now Crown Royale (9a) was able to complete his most difficult trad and crack project to date.
Peter Whittaker encouraged me that Crown Royale suits me: no overly technical jams and short crux sequences.
Jernej Kruder
Kruder confirms difficulty level 9a
The first ascent Pete Whittaker had freed the line at the Profile Wall in Jøssingfjord in October 2023 using traditional belaying methods in which he had invested more than 30 sessions over six years.
Whittaker rated Crown Royale He then rated it 9a – a grade that only a few trad lines in the world receive. He based his assessment on the Darth Grader app and compared the route with similar lines on the Profile Wall, such as Recovery Drink (8c +).
Jernej Kruder, who has already climbed numerous sport climbing and hybrid routes in the 9th French grade, confirmed after repeating Crown Royale in an Instagram post the degree suggested by Whittaker.
Special thanks to Pete Whittaker, who opened the line. What a vision!
Jernej Kruder
Particularly impressive: Slovenian climbed the 100-meter-long crack line relatively quickly in a two-week trip – on the obligatory last day and in excellent weather conditions.
Pete Whittaker on the first ascent of Crown Royale (9a)
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Credits cover photo: Jernej Kruder