Chris Sharma, World's First 5.15

In July 2001, Chris Sharma rewrote climbing history on the limestone walls of Céüse, France, with the first ascent of Realization (Biographie) — the world’s first confirmed 5.15 (9a+). This short film from Big UP Productions follows Sharma through the weeks of attempts, travel, and obsession that led to one of sport climbing’s defining moments, culminating in the historic send captured on camera. What makes this worth watching isn’t just the grade—it’s the window into the process: the tiny refinements, the heavy days, the patience to return again and again when nothing clicks, and then the sudden electricity when it finally does. At 16 minutes, it’s a concentrated hit of motivation and perspective, reminding you why hard routes matter and how belief gets built one try at a time.

bigupproductions · 16:32

In July, 2001, Chris Sharma made the first ascent of Realization (AKA Biographie), the world's first confirmed 5.15 (9a+), in Ceuse, France. This short film shows the process he went through trying the route for many weeks over several trips, and the actual footage of the historic first ascent. Excerpted from the full-length film Dosage Volume 1, available at bigUPproductions.com.