A rock climber in a dark shirt and green shorts hangs upside down from a steep rock face, secured by a rope, with another person visible below on the ground.

Leo Bøe Becomes a Legend on Norway’s Hardest Wall

Anano Atabegashvili | October 6, 2025
News
A rock climber in a dark shirt and green shorts hangs upside down from a steep rock face, secured by a rope, with another person visible below on the ground.

Norwegian climber Leo Bøe has reached a new milestone in sport climbing by sending Adam Ondra’s “Change” (5.15c / 9b+) in the Hanshelleren cave, Flatanger, Norway. This marks the sixth ascent of the world’s first 5.15c route, originally climbed by Ondra in 2012.

The route is split into two sections:

Change P1 (5.15a) – a powerful, shoulder-crushing crux.

Change P2 (5.14c/d) – the second pitch, completing the full 5.15c line.

A large rocky mountain with a prominent cave opening, covered in green vegetation, rises above a lush green meadow and a line of trees under a clear blue sky.

Bøe had previously sent Change P1 and, after months of preparation and focused effort, completed the full route on October 4, 2025. He described the climb as emotionally and physically intense, stating on Instagram: “Months of effort exploded into emotions yesterday when I finally clipped the chains. I’m beyond proud and relieved!”

Prior repeats of “Change” were done by Stefano Ghisolfi, Seb Bouin, Alex Megos, and Jorge Díaz-Rullo, all using knee pads for support, while Ondra originally climbed it without.

Bøe’s ascent is part of an impressive streak; last month he made the first ascent of Hafgúfa (5.15a) in Trondheim, and he now boasts sixteen 5.14d routes to his name. “Change” is his first 5.15c, cementing his place among the world’s elite climbers.