Adam Ondra climbs Water World 9a onsight

And again Adam Ondra announces a success: He manages the onsight ascent of the Route Water World in the climbing area Osp, Slovenia.

Opened a few days ago Adam Ondra in his home area the boulder Pohár Nesmrtelnosti, in English «Cup of Immortality», rated 8C/C+. A few days later, the Czech went to Slovenia and switched to the rope. In the Osp climbing area, he turned an old idea into reality.

The route moved a long time ago Water World (9a), first ascended from Klemen Becan, in the focus of Adam Ondra. But instead of tackling the route as quickly as possible, Adam Ondra decided to save the route for an onsight inspection.

«9 routes are still relatively rare. Even rarer are 9a's that are suitable for an onsight ascent or can at least potentially be onsight climbed."

Adam Ondra
Adam Ondra onsighting Water World (9a) near Osp, Slovenia. (Picture Adam Ondra)
Adam Ondra onsighting Water World (9a) near Osp, Slovenia. (Picture Adam Ondra)

The decision to leave the Water World route for an onsight tour has proven to be the right one. "The route, the conditions and the physical fitness all matched," explains Ondra. Last Saturday, November 26, 2022, he entered the route and immediately topped the line without falling.

"This is one of the most outstanding achievements so far."

Adam Ondra

While Adam Ondra expresses his pride in the onsight inspection, he also comments on the inspection in a self-critical manner. The route is certainly not the most difficult 9a, especially with kneepads, but it is not easy to read either.

Ondra has repeatedly attempted 9a routes onsight. He last succeeded in doing this in 2014 with the routes TCT near Gravere, Italy and Il Domani near Baltzola, Spain.

That might interest you

Don't miss anything - receive our newsletter

* Indicates required
Interests

+ + +
Credits: Cover photo Adam Ondra 2022

News

A tie in the final: The decision at the German Lead Championships 2026 was that close.

Anna Maria Apel (cover photo) and Yannick Nagel remain Germany's number one in lead climbing. Both successfully defended their titles at the German Championships in Darmstadt. While Apel had to wait anxiously until the very last moment, Nagel set the decisive mark in the men's competition.

Ice climbing and ski touring in Norway: The Mountain Equipment Oreus and Xenith jackets put to the test

Frozen waterfalls, steep approaches, and cold belay stations: Norway is one of the most impressive destinations for ice climbers in Europe – but it also places high demands on equipment and clothing. Ice climber Anna embarked on a winter trip through Norway and tested two models from Mountain Equipment under realistic conditions. In the following review, Anna explains why these jackets complement each other surprisingly well in winter conditions.

Tenzing Norgay: A film about the first person to climb Everest

Since October 16th, Apple TV has been streaming "Tenzing": an Everest film that, for the first time, focuses not on Edmund Hillary, but on Tenzing Norgay. Who was this man whom the world long only knew as a companion – and how close does the film get to him?

More than ever before: Alpine Club awards nine huts with environmental quality seal

On October 17th, the Austrian Alpine Club awarded nine of its mountain huts with the environmental quality seal – more than ever before in a single year. The goal is for at least half of the Austrian Alpine Club's managed huts to carry the seal by 2033.

A tie in the final: The decision at the German Lead Championships 2026 was that close.

Anna Maria Apel (cover photo) and Yannick Nagel remain Germany's number one in lead climbing. Both successfully defended their titles at the German Championships in Darmstadt. While Apel had to wait anxiously until the very last moment, Nagel set the decisive mark in the men's competition.

Ice climbing and ski touring in Norway: The Mountain Equipment Oreus and Xenith jackets put to the test

Frozen waterfalls, steep approaches, and cold belay stations: Norway is one of the most impressive destinations for ice climbers in Europe – but it also places high demands on equipment and clothing. Ice climber Anna embarked on a winter trip through Norway and tested two models from Mountain Equipment under realistic conditions. In the following review, Anna explains why these jackets complement each other surprisingly well in winter conditions.

Tenzing Norgay: A film about the first person to climb Everest

Since October 16th, Apple TV has been streaming "Tenzing": an Everest film that, for the first time, focuses not on Edmund Hillary, but on Tenzing Norgay. Who was this man whom the world long only knew as a companion – and how close does the film get to him?