Editors
Editors

Climbing until the ribs break: Seb Bouin in De l'autre côté du ciel

climbingVideos

As part of his Vintage Rock Tour, Seb Bouin climbed the route De l'autr côté du ciel and sustained an injury.

What is the title of “Climbing Until Your Ribs Break” all about? Quite simply: the French Sébastien Bouin Broke his rib while repeating the futuristic sport climbing route from Fred Rouhlingthat comes up with numerous crusades, dynamos and spins.

For the notorious crusade to the two-finger hole, Seb Bouin evidently built up so much tension that one of his ribs broke.

The wide crusade into the two-finger hole is so intense that I broke a rib. I heard a crack on the train.

Seb Bouin

The said crusade and all the other spectacular movements of the route De l'autre côté du ciel are clearly visible in the following video.

Almost exclusively artificial

The Route De l'autre côté du ciel is basically a work by Fred Rouhling. The striking rock ledge at Les Eaux Claires was originally not climbable. So Fred Rouhling worked (chipped) the rock and created artificial grips and steps.

The approach is questionable, but we leave that aside for now. The result is an undisputedly spectacular and impressive route that has never been repeated since the first ascent by Fred Rouhling in 1996 until the ascent of Seb Bouin.

That might interest you

The other side of Fred Rouhling

+ + +
Credits: Cover picture Julien Nadires

News

bouldering

From 8C to 9A: Matthew Mendes replays Realm of Torment

0
This week, 20-year-old Briton Matthew Mendes made the second ascent of Will Bosi's "Realm of Tor'ment" (9A) in the Peak District. It is his first boulder problem of this grade – after only five years of climbing outdoors and indoors.
bouldering

Climbing and knee problems: where they come from and how to prevent them

0
Knee pain is common among climbers. Klaus Isele explains what to do in case of knee pain.
climbing

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

0
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

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

0
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.

From 8C to 9A: Matthew Mendes replays Realm of Torment

Stefanie Keicher -
This week, 20-year-old Briton Matthew Mendes made the second ascent of Will Bosi's "Realm of Tor'ment" (9A) in the Peak District. It is his first boulder problem of this grade – after only five years of climbing outdoors and indoors.
Read more

Climbing and knee problems: where they come from and how to prevent them

Editors -
Knee pain is common among climbers. Klaus Isele explains what to do in case of knee pain.
Read more

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

Stefanie Keicher -
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.
Read more