Seb Bouin repeats X Intergal (F9a+)
- Tuesday 3rd September 2024
Seb Bouin recently made the third ascent of X Integral (F9a+) in Gottreux, Switzerland.
Following the first ascent of X Integral by Dylan Chuat last summer, Seb Bouin has made the third ascent albeit whilst climbing on a rest day during a training block!
Reporting his ascent Seb explained how he got interested in the route: “I am continuing my fresh tour in the Mountains. This time was in Switzerland. I heard about fresh conditions in Gottreux sector where @Dylan Chuat set up the route X Integral. The video gave me motivation for trying it.”
Seb added: “The route is quite complex to climb. The rock is gneiss and somehow can be sticky with wind and really greasy when it’s humid. The route is divided in two parts. A first F8c+ with tiny crimps with a small dyno. Followed by a hard compression part. I felt way more comfortable on the second part. The overall line is really cool and doesn’t allow any mistakes. I almost did the line on my 4th day, but I slipped from a kneebar on the second part. I did it on my day 5.”
Those familiar with Seb’s climbing might think that his ascent was a bit slow; however, it turns out that Seb was trying it on his rest days during a training block as he explained: “These times were a bit tricky to organize because I wanted to train for a hard project. So basically, the climbing day at the crag were the rest days š I was training hard during the other days. Somehow, as the route is not steep, it worked out.”
Commenting on the grade Seb added: “It could be a soft F9a+, but I don’t think it should be F9a.”
Following his ascent of X Integral Seb is understood to be back at Flatanger – presumably to try to get the first ascent of Move Integral which he tried earlier this summer. If he gets the first ascent of that, it could be the third F9c in the famous Hanshallaren cave. Watch this space.