Probably the best French climber of the moment, Sébastien „Seb“ Bouin announces a new extremely difficult first ascent with „Ariégeois Cœur Loyal“ in his home crag of Saint Loup. The Frenchman proposes a grade 9b.

„I am happy to send this mega line in my home crag Pic Saint Loup.
After falling once in this last hard move, I could finally control it in the send last Friday.
Fun fact : the move is not hard, but somehow it was hard to stick the left hand in the send.
I bolted this route 5 years ago when my grandpa passed over.
His wood worker name was Ariégeois Cœur Loyal (Loyal ariégeois heart).
It was a great opportunity to keep him close to me all these years.
I was close to send it last fall season, falling on the previous move just before the jumbo love trip.
This spring was a great opportunity to finish the job.
@grimpermagazine was here to report the send, and @lumartinez_93 tried the route once with me.
This route is a huge effort, combining two hard 20 meters sections.
About the grade, 9b (5.15b) should be appropriate.
More info on the route soon.
Pic by @sambie_photography during the actual send.“
Sébastien „Seb“ Bouin was probably the strongest sport climber in the world last year. He made the first ascents of „Suprême Jumbo Love“ 9b+ and „DNA“ (9c) and only the third ascent of „DNA“ (9b+), the first [9b+] route in the world.

Photo: (c) Sam Bie