Curated list
The Hardest Climbs Ever Filmed
12 films · updated 2026-09-04
Grades are argued about endlessly, but a handful of ascents sit at the edge of what has been done in each style. These films document them: the first 9c, the first V17 boulders, the hardest trad flash, the hardest deep water solo, and the routes that defined a grade for a generation.
Each entry names the climb and grade so you can go straight to the one you care about. The route pages linked from each film carry the first-ascent history.

01 · 2021 · 18 min · Adam Ondra
Silence
Adam Ondra's Silence in Flatanger, the world's first 9c (5.15d). Ondra's own film, including the kneebar crux and the training behind it.

02 · 2022 · 47 min · Mellow
Alphane
Shawn Raboutou on Alphane in Chironico, one of the first V17 (9A) boulders. The Mellow cut, 47 minutes of process.

03 · 2017 · 33 min · Adventure Sports TV
The Lappnor Project
Nalle Hukkataival's years on Burden of Dreams in Finland, the first boulder proposed at V17.

04 · 2013 · 18 min · Reel Rock
La Dura Complete: The Hardest Rock Climb in the World
Ondra and Chris Sharma on La Dura Dura in Oliana, 9b+, the hardest route in the world when this was made.

05 · 2018 · 11 min · Reel Rock
World's Hardest Flash - Adam Ondra Climbs 5.15 (9a+) First Try
Ondra flashes Supercrackinette, 9a+, at Saint-Léger-du-Ventoux: the hardest flash ever at the time.

06 · 2025 · 22 min · Mammut
Hardest Trad Flash Ever | Adam Ondra | Lexicon E11
Lexicon, E11, in the Lake District, flashed. Neil Gresham explains what E11 means.

07 · 2021 · 17 min · Patagonia
Rotpunkt: Bibliographie
Alex Megos on Bibliographie in Céüse, proposed at 9c on the first ascent and later downgraded to 9b+.

08 · 2024 · 28 min · The North Face
EXCALIBUR | The North Face
Stefano Ghisolfi on Excalibur in Arco, 9b+.

09 · 2025 · 27 min · Black Diamond
Born From the Climbing Life: Episode 4 — Drifter's Escape, The World's Hardest Trad Climb
Connor Herson on Drifter's Escape in Squamish, argued to be the hardest trad climb in the world.

10 · 2019 · 13 min · Reel Rock
Margo Hayes Makes History
Margo Hayes becomes the first woman to climb 9a+ with La Rambla, then repeats it with Biographie.

11 · 2007 · 7 min · Reel Rock
Es Pontàs: The First Ascent
Chris Sharma's first ascent of the Es Pontàs arch in Mallorca, still the hardest deep water solo in the world.

12 · 2023 · 3 min · Louder Than Eleven
Matt Segal vs America’s FIRST 9a/5.14d ‘Kryptonite’
Kryptonite in Colorado, the first 5.14d in the United States.
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