Chuenisberg *****

Antoine Le Menestrel wrote sport climbing history with his 1986 first ascent of “Ravage”. It was then the hardest (8c) route ever done in the world. A very short time later, Wenzel Vodicka nabbed the 2nd ascent and promptly downgraded “Ravage” to 8b+. Soon, hard climbers like Glowacz, Tribout, Rabatou, and Masterson were making pilgramages to the Basel Jura to give it a go. All of them were shut down and bucked off. It took three years before someone would ride “Ravage” again and be able to hang on. Finally, Philippe Steulet saddled the third ascent. To this day, it has seen few ascents and due to the loss of a few micro holds, has rightly regained the 8b+/c grade. Fred Nicole double downed in 1996 with his 8c route “Enfant de Boheme”. He dedicated it to the Czech exile Wenzel Vodicka, who had drilled a different exit variation on “Ravage”. This extremely powerful bouldery climb is all about a 15 meter overhang. The real crux is the sending temp/conditions you get dealt. “Chuenis” is deep in the woods and the sloper holds and pockets can be damp and wet. Worth a visit especially for those wanting to bust a move harder than 7c.