Nine days after he clinched the 2007 World Cup title in Slovenia, Patxi Usobiaga returned to Spain and very quickly made the fifth ascent of La Rambla (9a+/5.15a) at Siurana. Usobiaga redpointed La Rambla after just nine attempts spread over six years. When he returned to the route this week after three years away, he tried La Rambla twice on November 26 and then sent it the next day.

Remarkably, two hours after climbing La Rambla, Usobiaga also redpointed Estado Critico on just his second go. This route had been graded 9a (5.14d), but now seems to be settling at 8c+. For some, perhaps, it’s become a warm-up.

The 27-year-old Usobiaga, who lives in his home town of Eibar in the Basque country of Spain, also won the World Cup in 2006 and finished second at this year’s world championships. In 2004, he made the third ascent of Realization (5.15a) at Ceüse, France. He has onsighted nearly two dozen 5.14 routes.

Date of Ascents: November 27, 2007

Sources: Patxiusobiaga.com, 8a.nu, Climbing.com

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Courtesy of www.patxiusobiaga.com.

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