Josef Šindel repeats Frankenjura tests 'Action Directe' (9a), 'Classified' (9a/+) & 'Modified' (9a+)

Josef Šindel has been on a climbing rampage in Germany's Frankenjura where he has managed to complete a stunning hat-trick of ascents. The 2007-born Czech climber kicked off his campaign in May with a rare repeat of Classified (9a/+), Alexander Megos’ 2013 testpiece, before swiftly dispatching the 9a+ variation Modified just days later.

Now, aftyer falling three times off the last move, Šindel has capped his run with what he calls “one of the best lines I’ve ever climbed!”: Wolfgang Güllich’s masterpiece Action Directe (9a). The route is famed for being the first 9a in world - Ben Moon's Hubble established a year earlier and originally graded 8c+ may well eventually take this pedestal - but the fact that Action continues to inspire generations is testament to Güllich's visionary ascent back in 1991.