For Seb Bouin—who has consistently established and repeated the world’s hardest sport climbs for several years—Wolf Kingdom “marks a turning point” in his career.
Yes, the route is 9b+/5.15c, and yes, it’s also extremely aesthetic, a king line on a picturesque limestone cliff in France. But for Seb, the shift wasn’t about the difficulty. It was about the process.
“SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING SUCH A BIG PROJECT WHILE STAYING HAPPY AND POSITIVE THE ENTIRE TIME—IT’S AN INCREDIBLE FEELING,” EXPLAINS SEB.
In this latest installment of Hard Sends, we take a deep dive into Seb’s process, while also gaining perspective from some other climbing superstars like Adam Ondra, who are now beginning to try his routes.
Head into the Wolf Kingdom, a world of top-tier sport climbing, where only a handful of climbers like Seb are at the top of the food chain.
MORE FROM SEB
Hard Sends with Seb Bouin—Jamming Destruction 9a+/b
In episode 3 of Hard Sends, Seb heads to Saint Auban—a recently developed climbing area in southern France. In classic Seb style, he quickly finds potential for first ascents and of course, a few king lines.
Hard Sends with Seb Bouin—Bibliographie 9b+ (5.15c)
Watch BD athlete Seb Bouin attempt Céüse’s hardest route.
Hard Sends with Seb Bouin: ACL (9b/5.15b)
In the first of the Hard Sends series, BD athlete Seb Bouin takes us to Pic Saint Loup near his home in France, where he attempts the first ascent of ACL (5.15b)—a route he bolted in memory of his grandfather.
Seb Bouin: Climbing DNA
Black Diamond Athlete Seb Bouin shares his thoughts on sending his longest standing project to date, a route that may be the world’s second 9c (5.15d).
Beyond Integral (9b/+) with Seb Bouin
BD Athlete Seb Bouin finds one of his hardest projects yet. Only this time it was right in his own backyard.
The Balkan Dream with Seb Bouin
BD Athlete Seb Bouin was looking for a new experience. “We usually go to places where the climbing is already developed,” he explained. So, Bouin, along with his mom and two dogs, got in the van and drove up the coast of France to reach Albania.
Seb Bouin: Akira
Watch BD Athlete Seb Bouin go for the second ascent of the mythical 9b Akira.
