Markus Bock adds new Frankenjura testpiece
German sports climber Markus Bock has established The Elder Statesman 9a/9a+ in the Frankenjura.

Markus Bock freeing Matador 9a in October 2007 in the Frankenjura, Germany
One of Germany's strongest sport climbers, Markus Bock, has done what he does best: establish another testpiece in the Frankenjura. As climbing.de reports, the 32-year old bolted a new line in March in the Bamberg area and freed the 30 moves on 18 June. His "The Elder Statesman" is described as being "one of the last 3 star lines in the Frankenjura" and weighs in at 9a/9a+. It comes in the wake of another first ascent, "The Last Rides" which settles in at a more amenable 8c+.
There are few climbers who know the Frankenjura as well as Bock does and after famously climbing all the hardest routes there, he set about establishing his own, some of which are listed below.
Markus Bock, 13/02/1979 Bamberg, Germany | |||
Frankenjura first ascents | |||
The Man That Follows Hell | 9a+ | M. Bock | 2009 |
Corona | 9a+ | M. Bock | 2006 |
The Elder Statesman | 9a/9a+ | M. Bock | 2011 |
Pantera | 9a | M. Bock | 2009 |
Der Heiliger Gral | 9a | M. Bock | 2005 |
Unplugged | 9a | M. Bock | 2004 |
Matador | 9a | M. Bock | 2007 |
The Last Rides | 8c+ | M. Bock | 2011 |
Three Suns And One Star | 8c+ | M. Bock | 2008 |
Sniper | 8c+ | M. Bock | 2003 |
Vanquish | 8c+ | M. Bock | 2004 |
Monolithic Baby! | 8c+ | M. Bock | 2004 |
Hattori Hanzo | 8c+ | M. Bock | 2005 |
Planets Collide | 8c+ | M. Bock | 2007 |
Note:
Planetmountain | |
![]() |
News Bock |
![]() |
News Frankenjura |
Expo.Planetmountain | |
![]() |
Expo Marmot |
![]() |
Expo Petzl |
www | |
![]() |
www.climbing.de |
Latest news
Expo / News
Expo / Products
Light Backpack for alpinism with removable lid featuring a large main compartment
Ergonomic light alloy carabiner with a dynamic and modern design with the BriLock Gate (BG) closure system, ideal for constructing belays.
Technical down sleeping bag with 100% recycled fabric, suitable for withstanding winter temperatures even below freezing
Revolutionary mountain hiking shoes.
Special “helical” connector with twisted body with circular section made in aluminum alloy.
Waterproof thanks to HDry technology and crampon-compatible, the Dynafit WP Elevation is the lightest mountaineering shoe on the market.