Recently, French climbing prodigy Enzo Oddo completed a 9a+ route called La Rambla in the Spanish climbing mecca of Siurana. Back in 1994, German climber Alex Huber initially graded the route’s first ascent as 8c+, which was later upgraded to 9a+ by Ramonet.
The 16-year-old Enzo Oddo had previously redpointed more than four 9a+ routes. At the end of November, he made the first ascent of a 9a route — Salida del Sol — in the Cantobre Canyon of the Pyrenees; in late June, Enzo Oddo successfully redpointed a 9a+ route — La Mustache qui fâche — on a cliff face in southern France.
Enzo Oddo was born into a climbing family. His great-grandfather and grandfather were both professional mountain guides who eventually passed away in the mountains. In their earlier years, his grandparents lived in Fontainebleau (a town in northern France) and often climbed on rock faces. For decades, climbing has been an essential part of life in the Oddo family, and Enzo’s parents and sister are also passionate about the sport. Influenced by his family, Enzo began training in indoor climbing walls at the age of nine, but he was more captivated by natural rock faces, challenging himself on routes of varying lengths. He says he loves pushing his own limits — the feeling is thrilling and crazy.
