Chris Sharma has just made the first ascent of Stoking the Fire (5.15b) in Santa Linya, Spain. The route was a long-term project for Sharma, and he reflects on Instagram about the joy of finally reaching the chains on a next-level project. 

"The last couple of years I've been focusing all of my energy trying these insanely hard projects that I've rarely had the pleasure to actually send," he writes. "Today in Santa Linya was one of those elusive moments. I sent a project that I've been trying the last few years."

Sharma describes Stoking the Fire as having multiple "complex sequences" with no rests. He calls the route "pretty solid 9b" (5.15b). 

Judging by his new route's name, one can only guess that Sharma is in peak form, both mentally and physically, and that the first ascent of La Dura Dura, which when completed could be the world's hardest rock climb, is near.

"Climbing is so much about the process and all of the lessons we learn along the way but it sure is good to get to the top once in a while," writes Sharma on Instagram. "It's nice to remember what that feels like and that I still have it in me! Psyched for more!!"

Check out this video by Joe Kinder of Sharma working what has now become Stoking the Fire (5.15b).

Chris Sharma - Sterling and Climbing from sterling rope on Vimeo.