First 9b+ route in the world climbed again

After Adam Ondra's first ascent of Change, things remained quiet for years about the world's first 9b+ route. In recent times, however, the line has received a lot of attention. Less than a week after Alex Megos, the strong Spaniard Jorge Diaz Rullo also secured an ascent of this flatanger test piece.

“Being able to climb this line, which represents a piece of climbing history, means an incredible amount to me,” says Jorge Diaz Rullo after his redpoint ascent of Change (9b+) in Flatanger. The strong Spaniard arrived in Norway at the end of July and had since then dedicated himself to the two mega lines Change and Move.

I gave it my all, my arms and my body couldn't take it anymore, but in the end I managed to clip the derailleur.

Jorge Diaz Rullo

Following in the footsteps of his great role model

Jorge Diaz Rullo is the fourth climber to repeat Ondra's Testpiece from 2012. Although the 25-year-old Spaniard had already scored two routes of this difficulty level (Mejorando la Samfaina and Bibliographie), Change demanded everything from him:

"I still can't believe it worked. Overcoming the boulder problem at the beginning from the ground for the first time and then climbing the entire 50-meter line was a physical and mental battle that I will never forget."

Travelling to Norway to try this line from Adam Ondra was a dream he always believed would never come true.

That might interest you

+ + +

Credits: Cover picture @dugmcc

News

A dream tour: Corno Grande (2.912m), highest peak of the Apennines

Corno Grande in the Gran Sasso massif is one of the most fascinating peaks in Europe. Visible from afar, it towers above all the other peaks and mountains of the Apennines. And the best part: you can enjoy fantastic hikes here any time of year.

Red Bull X-Alps 2027: New challengers, old hands and a novelty

The field of participants for the 2027 Red Bull X-Alps has been finalized: 37 athletes from 16 countries will tackle the next edition of the world's toughest adventure race. The starting field has never been so large or so female – and for the first time, there will also be a separate women's ranking.

Mountains on Stage 2026: Mountain Cinema and Adventure in the Winter Edition

The Mountains on Stage film festival returns to the big screen with its Winter Edition! Starting November 23, 2026, the festival, centered around adventure and mountains, will be back on stage in 23 countries worldwide. The German-language tour kicks off on November 23, 2026, in Basel and will stop in 38 cities across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

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

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.

A dream tour: Corno Grande (2.912m), highest peak of the Apennines

Corno Grande in the Gran Sasso massif is one of the most fascinating peaks in Europe. Visible from afar, it towers above all the other peaks and mountains of the Apennines. And the best part: you can enjoy fantastic hikes here any time of year.

Red Bull X-Alps 2027: New challengers, old hands and a novelty

The field of participants for the 2027 Red Bull X-Alps has been finalized: 37 athletes from 16 countries will tackle the next edition of the world's toughest adventure race. The starting field has never been so large or so female – and for the first time, there will also be a separate women's ranking.

Mountains on Stage 2026: Mountain Cinema and Adventure in the Winter Edition

The Mountains on Stage film festival returns to the big screen with its Winter Edition! Starting November 23, 2026, the festival, centered around adventure and mountains, will be back on stage in 23 countries worldwide. The German-language tour kicks off on November 23, 2026, in Basel and will stop in 38 cities across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.