Eder Lomba has captured the second ascent of the hardest rock route in the U.K.
Rainman checks in at the most challenging grade in the British Isles at 9b/5.15b. It earns its superlative status thanks to its link-up with multiple other routes’ cruxes. These includes the most brutal segments of Rainshadow (9a/5.14d), Batman (9a/5.14d), and Bat Route (8c/5.14b).
Notorious British hardman Steve McClure first climbed it in 2017. Shortly after that, it repulsed Adam Ondra, who tried it right after finishing Silence (9c/5.15d).
If you’re into raw send footage — like, way into it — check out Lomba’s total 18-minute effort. In essence, he climbs it as a series of boulder problems. Multiple long rests on bomb-proof kneebars fragment the otherwise steady action.
Watching Lomba is a far cry from watching Ondra — fireworks are notably lacking.
Then again, Ondra couldn’t climb the route.
