BURSTA project since 1991, Le Bombé Bleu has finally seen its first ascent. On February 11, 17-year-old French climber Erwan Legrand climbed through the incredibly low-percentage crux on Bombé Bleu, and took the route to its top, clipping the chains on one of the most coveted first ascents in sport climbing. The young prodigy was turning heads in December 2025 when he made some very promising links. He just announced his ascent, which he achieved barefoot without using climbing shoes.
Le Bombé Bleu ascends a striking blue streak in the middle of the wall, hence the name, which translates to “the blue bomb”. Many of the world’s best climbers have tried it. Ben Moon, who at the time had recently established Azincourt, the first 5.14b in France, was unable to climb Le Bombé Bleu. He famously made and trained on replicas of the crux holds, but was still ultimately unable to unlock the crux. Chris Sharma, Fred Rouhling, Charles Albert, Nicolas Perlorson, Alex Megos, and many more also worked the route without success.
The route begins with 5.11d climbing to a ledge. A couple of jugs lead to the famously seemingly impossible crux move – a dyno from a shallow mono to a two-finger pocket that is incredibly difficult to hit with precision. The climb continues into a short 5.14c/d section without any rests after the heinous crux. In December 2025, Legrand announced that he stuck the move and even linked into the following 5.14c/d climbing, but fell with only a few moves left. Legrand has not commented on the grade.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment for so long, and after 15 hard sessions of trying, it finally happened,” said Legrand on Instagram. “This ascent means so much to me, more than any other. Completing such a beautiful, mythical, and historic route on my home crag is better than anything I could have dreamed of. The moment I realized I did it was the most powerful I’ve experienced so far. And I’ll never forget it.
“Behind this moment of triumph lie dozens of failed attempts, constant pain in my fingers and toes, and long, frustrating waits because of the relentless rain this winter. All of this pushed me to my mental limits like no other project ever has. It felt like a trial for me, one that taught me a lot in many ways, and from which I emerge stronger. Never give up.”
The biggest names in sport climbing were quick to congratulate Legrand on his historic FA. “Incredible Erwan! The most legendary project finally done!” said Adam Ondra. “Huge congratulations so epic!!!” added Chris Sharma, and Megos, “LEGEND!!!”
Legrand has many hard sends to his name, but his most recent is certainly his most impressive. In May 2024, he climbed Culture Gym 5.14d in Buoux. Later that year, in December 2024, he got the first ascent of Les Loges De La Fuite 5.14c in Gorges du Tarnin, France. He climbed The Journey 5.14d/5.15a in Margalef, Spain in April 2025. Just a few months ago, he made the first ascent of Beginning of the Strongness 5.14d in Buoux.
Nicolas Pelorson and Lucien Martinez on Le Bombé Bleu
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