| Chris Sharma is not just any athlete. At 26, Sharma | | | | Pringle who was third American to achieve the feat, |
| dominates the world of rock climbing, whether he is | | | | were both there to witness Sharma return to Ceuse. |
| sport climbing, bouldering, or deep water soloing. | | | | Sharma's climbing skills have been described as |
| Professional climbers live a unique lifestyle. Traveling | | | | refined and savage at the same time. He has the |
| the world climbing the next hard thing, developing | | | | audacity to hang on a little longer than his peers and |
| new areas, and competing in top competitions. And | | | | he attempts to reach higher on each climb an |
| Sharma has reigned as king of climbing for more than | | | | attribute that leaves his colleagues awe-inspired. He |
| a decade. This is a talent that has not given, yet | | | | climbs with child-like gaiety and fierce moxie. |
| even with a lot of young guns making a move. | | | | In the last year, Sharma has proven himself over and |
| Climbing is a sport that constantly tests your | | | | over again. He climbed La Rambla Direct's (5.15a) |
| exposure to failure. Weeding out the boys from the | | | | second ascent and attained 5.14a's at Rodellar. He |
| men is the name of the game. Chris Sharma has | | | | also established the landmark Es Pontas, making 2007 |
| surpassed other climbers with unparalleled strength | | | | his best year ever, according to analysts. |
| and doggedness. In July, Sharma climbed the Three | | | | Sharma was recently quoted as saying, "It's all about |
| Degrees of Separation 5.14d a very futuristic climb | | | | finding a line that motivates me." Adding, "I'm not the |
| featured in the Dosage movie series. That was six | | | | type who can train, be doing something now so that |
| years after his historic climb of Realization. | | | | in three months I'll be strong enough to try 1 route. I |
| The Three Degrees of Separation was a desperate | | | | just go try a line a million times. The training occurs |
| ascent and 5.14d came after taking on tufas and | | | | on the route." |
| micro-crimps. For Sharma, who has spent the last ten | | | | Sharma's friend Corey Rich says, "It might sound like |
| years on the road, coming back to Ceuse after was | | | | a cliche, but in Chris' case, home has been the road." |
| like coming home. One French climber described the | | | | He adds, "He doesn't care where he sleeps. What he |
| ascent with a series of three spectacular, all | | | | eats. He has no strict training regime. That's certainly |
| points-off dynos as "C'est moderne." | | | | not the norm for professional athletes. It's pretty |
| David Graham, who is a friend of Chris Sharma was | | | | incredible that he has been able to sustain this. |
| the first American to reprize Realization, and Ethan | | | | |