In the first few days of January 2024, Spanish climber Jorge Díaz-Rullo showcased his exceptional climbing skills by conquering three challenging routes in Santa Linya, Spain. His achievements include successfully climbing Catxasa at the renowned Cova Gran crag, Open Your Mind, and its harder-start variant, Open Your Mind Direct.

Catxasa: A Test of Skill and Perseverance

Díaz-Rullo's journey began on New Year's Day with his ascent of Catxasa, a route initially rated at 5.15a. Due to the use of a kneepad, the difficulty was debated, with recent climbers suggesting a 5.14d/15a rating. Díaz-Rullo, respecting previous climbers, chose the latter rating, though he personally found it aligned with the original 5.15a. He dedicated five days to mastering this line before achieving success.

Open Your Mind: A Unique Challenge

His next achievement was on January 3 with Open Your Mind, graded 5.14c. Although it wasn't a strict flash, as Díaz-Rullo had previously climbed the initial 5.13a section shared with another route, he felt it was a personal flash. Open Your Mind, established by Dani Andrada in 2008, is a celebrated route in the climbing community.

Open Your Mind Direct: Raising the Bar

The following day, Díaz-Rullo tackled Open Your Mind Direct, a more demanding version of the route, graded at 5.14d. This route has attracted some of the world's top climbers, including Magnus Midtbø, Jakob Schubert, Daniel Woods, and Jonathan Siegrist, making Díaz-Rullo's successful redpoint a significant achievement.

A Remarkable Year in Climbing

2023 was a landmark year for Díaz-Rullo. He accomplished his first-ever 5.15c with the first ascent of Mejorando la Samfaina in Margalef. He followed this with a repeat of Alex Megos' The Full Journey (5.15b) and later, another 5.15c, Bibliographie in Céü.

Solidifying his status as a leading figure in the climbing world.

Jorge Díaz-Rullo's accomplishments in early 2024, particularly in Santa Linya, are a testament to his climbing prowess. Starting the year with such remarkable achievements, he continues to push the boundaries of the sport, inspiring climbers worldwide. His ability to tackle varied and challenging routes demonstrates not only his physical skill but also his strategic planning and dedication to climbing.