Has Anyone Flashed a V15?
While the designation of a V15 flash involves specific grading considerations, Adam Ondra has indeed flashed a problem that was originally graded V15.
Adam Ondra's Historic Flash of Jade
Adam Ondra, one of the world's most accomplished climbers, famously flashed the boulder problem Jade. This particular ascent is often discussed when considering the hardest flashes in climbing history.
Details of the Jade Flash:
- Original Grade: Jade was initially considered a V15 (8C) boulder problem, representing an extreme level of difficulty at the time of Ondra's ascent.
- Current Consensus: Through repeated ascents by various climbers, the community consensus has largely settled on Jade being a solid V14 (8B+).
- Significance: Despite the later downgrade, Ondra's flash was achieved when the problem was perceived and widely regarded as V15, making it a landmark achievement and potentially the hardest boulder flash at that point.
Ondra's flash of Jade underscores his remarkable ability to perform at the highest level without prior practice, contributing to his reputation for having some of the hardest sport and boulder flashes ever recorded. This achievement highlights the evolving nature of climbing grades as more climbers test and refine the perceived difficulty of routes and problems.
