Jakob Schubert: “That was the biggest mental battle of my life”

Jakob Schubert climbed the Project Big route in Flatanger yesterday, September 20, 2023. The route is considered one of the most difficult tours in the world. We summarize the most important points.

It was the sixth attempt as a live stream and the conditions were extremely bad. After more than 20 hours of continuous rain, the six-time climbing world champion from Austria started the route on Wednesday afternoon, which is considered perhaps the most difficult in the world. 

Almost 20 minutes, a successful key point after a good 85 holds and a final boulder later, the 32-year-old from Innsbruck is screaming his emotions out of his body while hanging on the rope. 

“That was the biggest mental battle I've ever had in my career!

Jakob Schubert

Breaking News Jakob Schubert gets the first free ascent of Project Big (9c?)

No review submitted yet

How hard is Project Big in Flatanger? Many people ask themselves this question. Schubert still leaves the question unanswered. “I have to let it all sink in and then get back to you,” he said in yesterday’s live stream. The name of the route is also still open. It is customary for the person who is the first to free climb the route to give it a name. We will keep you up to date.

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 photo Moritz Klee

News

00:07:47

Connor Herson secures the first replay of »Towing the Line«(8c)

Twenty-two-year-old American Connor Herson became the first person to repeat the rarely climbed test piece "Towing the Line" on Empath Cliff in Kirkwood, California. Unlike its more famous neighbor "Empath," the route offers powerful climbing in the style of Carlo Traversi, characterized by technical precision, thoughtful movements, and flawless granite.

Aidan Roberts opens new 8B+ in Yosemite

Strong, stronger, Aidan Roberts. The young Brit is known for competing at the top of the hard bouldering scene. Now, at the start of the new year, he's established a new, steep, and challenging boulder problem, "The Bee's Knees," graded 8B+, in Yosemite Valley, USA. 

»Le clin d'œil« | Schüpbach, Sala & Kolly open mixed route on Dent Blanche

Silvan Schüpbach, Filippo Sala and Olivier Kolly made the first ascent of a new route on the northwest face of the Dent Blanche (4.357 m) in Valais at the turn of the year. They named the 850-meter-long line "Le clin d'œil" and graded it M7 WI3.

Weightless – Music meets mountaineering spirit

On January 31, 2026, a meeting will take place in the Cantate Hall of the Volksbühne Frankfurt that is rarely experienced on a stage: The Frankfurt duo formation THE OHOHOHs, known for their musical mix of classical and club culture, will play together with the extreme climber and pianist Alexander Huber. 
00:07:47

Connor Herson secures the first replay of »Towing the Line«(8c)

Twenty-two-year-old American Connor Herson became the first person to repeat the rarely climbed test piece "Towing the Line" on Empath Cliff in Kirkwood, California. Unlike its more famous neighbor "Empath," the route offers powerful climbing in the style of Carlo Traversi, characterized by technical precision, thoughtful movements, and flawless granite.

Aidan Roberts opens new 8B+ in Yosemite

Strong, stronger, Aidan Roberts. The young Brit is known for competing at the top of the hard bouldering scene. Now, at the start of the new year, he's established a new, steep, and challenging boulder problem, "The Bee's Knees," graded 8B+, in Yosemite Valley, USA. 

»Le clin d'œil« | Schüpbach, Sala & Kolly open mixed route on Dent Blanche

Silvan Schüpbach, Filippo Sala and Olivier Kolly made the first ascent of a new route on the northwest face of the Dent Blanche (4.357 m) in Valais at the turn of the year. They named the 850-meter-long line "Le clin d'œil" and graded it M7 WI3.