Buoux is back: Alex Megos' first ascent of Le Grand Saccage (9a+/b)

With Le Grand Saccage (9a+/b), the Franconian succeeds in the first ascent of a difficult unclimbed line in the historic climbing area of ​​Buoux in southern France.

Alex Megos This year he seems to have his sights set on routes by Adrien Boulon: Only in January he reported the first ascent of Tuareg Blanco (9b/+) in Margalef, which the Frenchman established ten years ago. Now Megos has liberated another Boulon line with Le Grand Saccage (9a+/b) in Buoux.

Megos, who is currently concentrating fully on rock projects, had already attempted Le Grand Saccage for a few days in February. Last week, the 31-year-old paid another visit to his project and, after three days, clipped the route's anchor, which megos across from 8a.nu as «difficult to evaluate» – also because of the many possibilities to place kneebars.

Buoux: Cradle of historic climbing routes

In addition to Alex Megos' home, the Frankenjura, Buoux in the South of France is also considered one of the most important places for difficult limestone climbing – especially since the 1980s. Buoux is home to numerous classics such as Agincourt, France's first 8c, or the previously unclimbed, legendary line Le bombe bleu.

Megos clearly feels at home in Buoux. The two-time Olympic climber not only flashed Agincourt (8c) there and repeated other lines in grade eight, but is also looking for new projects in the long term.

We'll have to wait a few more days for the video of Le Grand Saccage (9a+/b). In the meantime, you can see Alex Megos here again on his first ascent of Adrien Boulon's Tuareg Blanco (9b/+) in Margalef Beginning of the year.

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Credits cover photo: Sofiia Tymchenko