From Climbing · Brian Stevens · · 2m
Jonathan Siegrist Climbs 100th Route at 5.14d
Jonathan Siegrist completes his 100th route graded 9a or harder, Video Killed the Radio Star, marking a milestone in hard sport climbing.
In brief
Jonathan Siegrist completes his 100th route graded 9a or harder, Video Killed the Radio Star, marking a milestone in hard sport climbing. Jonathan Siegrist sent his 100th route graded 9a/5.14d or harder, Video Killed the Radio Star, on October 19, 2.026. Originally reported by Climbing.
Jonathan Siegrist's 100th Route
Jonathan Siegrist sent his 100th route graded 9a/5.14d or harder on October 19, 2026.
“Video Killed the Radio Star (5.15b) at the 5G crag outside Las Vegas, Nevada.”
The Route's Significance
The route represents the culmination of two decades of near-constant motion for Siegrist.
“The number of times he has sent a route on 'the last day' of a trip is almost comical; his friends have started referring to it as 'Siegrist-ing'.”
The Send Process
Siegrist sent Video Killed the Radio Star on his third attempt after overcoming a lower crux he had fallen on countless times.
“From there, he still had several cruxes and plenty of climbing above, along with the challenge of keeping his nerves in check.”
The Emotional Toll
Siegrist described the send as a 'massive and emotional battle' after months of injury and weather-related setbacks.
“He sent on Monday, October 19, likely the last climbable day of the season before deteriorating weather shut down the crag.”
The 100th Route Milestone
Siegrist has climbed 100 routes graded 9a or harder since his first 5.14d in 2010.
“For 16 years, Siegrist has averaged more than six 5.14d-or-harder routes per year.”
The Logbook Tradition
Siegrist maintains a meticulous public logbook to document his climbing achievements and progress.
“The logbook represents a public record not only of the successes, but of the years of travel, failed attempts, obscure crags, first ascents, and unfinished projects that produced them.”
The 9a Century
Siegrist is the only American to have climbed 100 routes graded 9a or harder, with 64 at 5.14d, 28 at 5.15a, and 8 at 5.15b.
“By modern standards, grades like 5.14d/9a, 5.15a/9a+, and 5.15b/9b almost begin to sound pedestrian.”
The Logbook Challenge
No official league or database exists to govern hard-climbing records, making documentation incomplete.
“For decades, 8a.nu has served as the closest thing climbing has to a public ledger.”
The Logbook Comparison
Adam Ondra has 215 routes at 5.14d or harder, while Siegrist has 100, making him the only American to reach the milestone.
“After Ondra, things get murkier across a slew of european hard climbers.”
The Logbook Philosophy
Siegrist sees the logbook as his 'body of work' and a public record of his climbing journey.
“It’s so important to me because it’s my body of work.”
The Career Shift
Siegrist has begun to wane in interest in sport climbing, shifting toward big walls and trad climbing.
“My interest in sport climbing is waning.”
The New Focus
Siegrist now prioritizes big walls, trad climbing, and new-route development over hard sport climbing.
“I really look forward to doing more wall climbing and trad climbing because i like the novelty of going somewhere new.”
The Mental Shift
Siegrist has become less interested in collecting hard routes and more willing to fail on routes that matter.
“I’m much more drawn to really motivating routes and willing to fail on them, rather than feeling like i need another tick just because it’s hard.”
The Physical Shift
Siegrist has lost the ability to recover quickly from injuries, a key difference from his younger years.
“Now, if i want to rest as much as i need to, that can be really difficult.”
The Career Context
Siegrist started climbing at age 18 and has lived in Las Vegas since 2017.
“I moved to las vegas, and i’ve lived here ever since.”
The 100th Route Impact
Siegrist reached the milestone as he considers transitioning to more trad and wall climbing.
“That makes the timing of route number one hundred feel almost too perfect.”
The bottom line
Jonathan Siegrist sent his 100th route graded 9a/5.14d or harder, Video Killed the Radio Star, on October 19, 2.026.
