2016 Golden Pitons: Climber of the Year.
In 2016 alone, he climbed the hardest multi-pitch route in the world, projected a contender for the hardest sport climb in the world, and put up his 15th 5.15b or harder first ascent, earning him our 2016 Golden Piton Award as Climber of the Year.
In 2015, we awarded Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson a Climb of the Year Golden Piton for the first ascent of the Dawn Wall.
Until Ondra arrived.
Ondra made quick work of the Dawn Wall on his first trip to Yosemite—ever.
It can take seasoned climbers months to adapt to Yosemite’s delicate granite style before they begin pushing their limits.
But Ondra did more than just repeat hard routes in 2016.
He also established lines around the world.
Ondra has by far the most 5.15b and 5.15c first ascents of any climber, many of which he sent in only a few days of effort.
Ondra could have spent the rest of the year coasting after either of the previous acheviements, but he hasn't slowed down.
Adam Ondra makes quick work of the Dawn Wall. Photo: Heinz Zak
Adam Ondra has arguably pushed the upper limits of climbing further than anyone else in the last decade. In 2016 alone, he climbed the hardest multi-pitch route in the world, projected a contender for the hardest sport climb in the world, and put up his 15th 5.15b or harder first ascent, earning him our 2016 Golden Piton Award as Climber of the Year.
In 2015, we awarded Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson a Climb of the Year Golden Piton for the first ascent of the Dawn Wall. It was one of the biggest climbing stories in history, and the culmination of Caldwell’s seven-year battle with the line. For nearly two years after, the route sat untouched. Until Ondra arrived.
Ondra made quick work of the Dawn Wall on his first trip to Yosemite—ever. He completed the route in an eight-day push, topping out…
