Born From the Climbing Life: Episode 3—Connor Herson on Bon Voyage (9a/5.14d)

"Born From the Climbing Life: Episode 3—Connor Herson on Bon Voyage (9a/5.14d)" is a rock climbing video (15 minutes) published by Black Diamond Equipment on April 14, 2026 with 37K views. Available to watch free on CouchClimbs.

Deep in the limestone crags of Annot, France, Connor Herson sets his sights on Bon Voyage—a 9a/5.14d trad testpiece established by British hardman James Pearson. This is no ordinary hard route: it combines elite-level bouldering sequences with the psychological weight of real protection, demanding both physical excellence and mental composure in equal measure. Black Diamond's third episode of Born From the Climbing Life is a compelling portrait of a climber drawn to the most serious end of the sport. Watching Herson navigate move-for-move difficulty above spaced gear in one of France's most revered trad venues is a rare window into what pushing the absolute boundary of trad climbing actually looks like—equal parts inspiring and terrifying.

Black Diamond Equipment · 15:09

Annot, France. The mecca for French trad, and home to Bon Voyage (9a/5.14d)—a mythical route established by James Pearson. Featuring nails-hard bouldering above well-spaced protection, this route is for real. Which is exactly why Connor took a last minute trip check it out.

Categories: Black Diamond, James Pearson, 9a, 14d, France, Trad