Chris Sharma has done more to push the upper limits of sport climbing difficulty than arguably any other person alive. Over three decades, he's established first ascents at 5.15a, 5.15b, and 5.15c, each representing the hardest route in the world at the time. He pioneered deep water soloing as a legitimate discipline, built a climbing gym empire spanning two continents, and co-hosted a climbing competition show with Jason Momoa on HBO Max. Most remarkably, he's still going. In 2023, at age 41, he put up the hardest first ascent of his entire career.
Below, we cover Sharma's biography, all his major first ascents, his climbing gyms, and the questions people search for most, from his height and net worth to his ethnicity and shoe sponsors.
Chris Sharma Biography: Early Life, Age, and Rise to Elite Climbing
Christopher Omprakash Sharma was born on April 23, 1981, in Santa Cruz, California. His middle name "Omprakash" (meaning "sacred light") was given by Indian yogi Baba Hari Dass at his home birth. Despite what many assume, Sharma is not ethnically Indian. His parents were American devotees of Baba Hari Dass who received the surname "Sharma" when they married at the Mount Madonna Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains. His mother, Gita Jahn, worked as a massage therapist and yoga instructor, while his father, Bob Sharma, served as a maintenance supervisor at UC Santa Cruz.
Raised in Santa Cruz's countercultural environment with Buddhist and yogic influences, Sharma discovered climbing at age 12 at Pacific Edge Climbing Gym. He was part of the first wave of "gym kids," climbers who came up through indoor climbing rather than on outdoor rock, and the progression was immediate. Within two years, at just 14 years old, he won the adult division at the 1996 US Open Bouldering Nationals. A year later, he made the first ascent of Necessary Evil (5.14c) in Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, the hardest sport climb in North America at the time. He was 15.
At 18, Sharma moved to Bishop, California to climb full-time, skipping the traditional college path entirely. He relocated to Lleida, Catalonia in 2007 and now lives in Barcelona with his family.
Chris Sharma Height, Weight, and Ape Index
Chris Sharma stands at 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) and weighs approximately 165 lbs (75 kg). His ape index is +2.5 inches (+6.4 cm), giving him a wingspan of about 74.5 inches. That's a noticeable reach advantage, but it's far from the most extreme among professional climbers. For context, Alex Honnold has a +3.5 inch ape index, while our ape index data shows elite climbers span the full range from negative to highly positive.
At 6'0", Sharma is taller than many of his contemporaries. Alexander Megos is 5'8" and Adam Ondra is 6'1". Sharma's build combines a lean physique with broad shoulders and powerful forearms. His climbing style takes full advantage of this frame, relying on dynamic reach and explosive power to connect sequences that shorter climbers might approach differently.
Curious how your measurements stack up? Calculate your own ape index here and compare it to Sharma's and 30+ other professional climbers.
Chris Sharma First Ascents: The Routes That Shaped Climbing History
What separates Sharma from nearly every other climber in history is the sheer number of times he's established the single hardest route in the world. While most elite climbers might claim one grade-breaking first ascent in a career, Sharma has done it repeatedly across multiple disciplines over 25+ years.
Realization / Biographie (2001): The World's First 5.15a
On July 18, 2001, Sharma completed Realization (also known as Biographie) at Céüse, France, graded 5.15a (9a+). This was the world's first confirmed route at this difficulty, representing the first consensus grade increase since Wolfgang Güllich's Action Directe a decade earlier. The 35-meter limestone test piece had taken Sharma over 30 attempts across five years. It became an instant classic and remains one of the most repeated 9a+ routes in the world.
Chris Sharma Es Pontàs (2006): Redefining Deep Water Solo
Es Pontàs is a 5.15a (9a+) deep water solo on a limestone sea arch off the coast of Mallorca, Spain. Completed in 2006, it was the world's first DWS route at this grade and required over 50 attempts to stick the crux, a committing 7-foot dyno high above the Mediterranean. The ascent was captured in the Emmy-winning documentary King Lines (2007) and cemented Sharma's reputation as the godfather of modern deep water soloing. Es Pontàs went unrepeated for over a decade.
Chris Sharma Jumbo Love (2008): The World's First 5.15b
Jumbo Love at Clark Mountain, California is a 5.15b (9b) route and was the world's first confirmed climb at this grade when Sharma sent it in September 2008. At 76 meters (250 feet), it's a massive single-pitch route on wildly overhanging limestone. The first ascent wasn't repeated for nearly seven years; Ethan Pringle made the second ascent in 2015. The route's sheer length and sustained difficulty make it one of the most iconic sport climbs ever established.
Chris Sharma La Dura Dura (2013): The Battle for 5.15c
Sharma bolted La Dura Dura at Oliana, Spain in 2009, initially believing it was beyond his capability: "I figured it would be for the next generation." In 2011, he invited then-19-year-old Adam Ondra to try the route, sparking a legendary two-year collaboration that National Geographic covered extensively.
The 50-meter route, featuring a V13 boulder problem into sustained 5.14c terrain, was graded 5.15c (9b+), making it the world's first consensus route at this difficulty. Ondra made the first ascent on February 7, 2013. Sharma followed six weeks later on March 23, 2013. As of 2026, no third ascent has ever been made, despite attempts by world-class climbers including Olympic champion Janja Garnbret.
"La dura dura" translates loosely from Spanish as "the hard hard," a fitting name for a route that remains one of the least-repeated climbs at its grade in the world.
Note: A devastating wildfire in June 2022 burned 123 hectares around Oliana, damaging holds and bolts on parts of the crag. While La Dura Dura itself survived mostly intact, restoration efforts led by Swiss climber Chris Frick continued through 2023. Then, in December 2025, the Catalan government banned climbing at the Rumbau cliff citing protection of prehistoric rock art, meaning La Dura Dura's future accessibility remains uncertain.
Sleeping Lion (2023): His Hardest First Ascent at Age 41
In 2023, Sharma established Sleeping Lion at Siurana, Spain, graded 5.15c (9b+). At 41 years old, this represented the hardest first ascent of his entire career, an almost unheard-of achievement at that age in professional climbing. The route demonstrated that Sharma's finger strength, power, and mental game hadn't diminished even as most of his contemporaries from the 1990s had long retired.
Other Notable First Ascents
Sharma's full resume of groundbreaking routes is staggering. Highlights include Dreamcatcher (5.14d, Squamish, 2005), Witness the Fitness (V15, Arkansas, 2005), Papichulo (5.15a, Oliana, 2008), Golpe de Estado (5.15b, Siurana, 2008), Neanderthal (5.15b, Santa Linya, 2009), Fight or Flight (5.15b, Oliana, 2011), and Alasha (9b DWS, Mallorca, 2016, the world's first deep water solo at this grade, named after his daughter Alana).
Chris Sharma Deep Water Solo: The Pioneer of Psicobloc
While Sharma didn't invent deep water soloing (Mallorcan climber Miquel Riera coined the term "Psicobloc" and had been climbing ropeless above the sea since the late 1970s), Sharma is the person most responsible for turning it into a global pursuit. His 2003 trip to Mallorca to meet Riera rekindled his passion after a period of post-Realization burnout, and he's called DWS "the perfect form of climbing."
His major deep water solo first ascents include Es Pontàs (9a+, 2006), Alasha (9b, 2016), Pont d'Arc (8b+, Ardèche, France, 2017), Big Fish (8c+/9a, Mallorca, 2017), Black Pearl (9a+, Mallorca, 2023, potentially his hardest DWS ever), and Vision Quest (5.14d/15a, Mallorca, 2024). He also developed DWS at Mont-Rebei gorge in Catalonia, establishing routes like Trick or Tree (8b+, 2020).
The mental game required for high-level DWS is unlike anything else in climbing. Committing to dynamic moves 20+ meters above water with no rope, knowing a fall means a painful impact, demands a unique combination of physical power, technical precision, and psychological composure that Sharma has cultivated through decades of Buddhist-influenced mental practice.
Chris Sharma Climbing Gym: Sharma Climbing Locations
Beyond his outdoor accomplishments, Sharma has built one of the most recognized climbing gym brands in the world. He operates five facilities across two continents:
Sender One (Santa Ana & Los Angeles, California) – Co-founded in 2013, these gyms feature 25,000+ square feet of climbing including 50-foot lead walls. Sender One has become a major hub in the Southern California climbing scene.
Sharma Climbing BCN (Barcelona, Spain) – Opened in 2015, this gym offers over 1,500 square meters of walls with routes up to 14 meters. Sharma's wife, Jimena Alarcón, serves as Director General.
Sharma Climbing Gavà (near Barcelona) – Opened in 2021, this is Spain's largest climbing gym at 5,000 square meters, featuring a 25-meter lead tower.
Sharma Climbing Madrid – Features Europe's largest climbing wall, with competition-style walls similar to those used in World Cup events.
Chris Sharma Wife and Family
Sharma married Venezuelan model and television personality Jimena Alarcón in August 2015 after a previous long-term relationship with Spanish climber Daila Ojeda. Alarcón was born on November 6, 1981, and now helps run the Sharma Climbing BCN gym as Director General.
The couple has two children: daughter Alana (born June 2016), after whom he named his groundbreaking DWS route "Alasha," and son Julian (born 2018). The family lives in central Barcelona after moving from rural Oliana.
Chris Sharma Net Worth
Chris Sharma's net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million. His income comes from multiple streams: professional climbing sponsorships, his Sharma Climbing gym business (five locations), endorsement deals with brands like Polo Ralph Lauren and Ford, and media appearances including co-hosting The Climb on HBO Max.
For a professional climber, this represents exceptional financial success. Climbing has historically not been a lucrative sport, but Sharma's combination of athletic achievement, media presence, and business ventures has made him one of the highest-earning climbers in the sport's history.
Chris Sharma Movie and TV Appearances
Sharma has been featured in more climbing films than perhaps any other athlete in the sport:
The Climb (2023, HBO Max) – Sharma co-created and co-hosted this 8-episode reality climbing competition alongside actor Jason Momoa. The show was filmed across Mallorca, Jordan, and Spain. Sharma and Momoa first met as teenagers at Hueco Tanks in the 1990s and reconnected through their shared love of bouldering. The series brought climbing to a mainstream TV audience and showcased Sharma's knowledge and personality beyond just his athletic ability.
King Lines (2007) – This Sender Films documentary captured Sharma's first ascent of Es Pontàs and earned an Emmy for Outstanding Camera Work. It remains one of the most celebrated climbing films ever made.
Dosage Series (2001–2012) – Big UP Productions' influential film series documented Sharma extensively, with Dosage Vol. 1 (2001) featuring his Realization ascent and subsequent volumes covering his bouldering and DWS exploits.
Point Break (2015 remake) – Sharma served as stunt double and climbing technical advisor for the film, doubling for actor Luke Bracey's character during the Angel Falls climbing sequences filmed in Venezuela.
Reel Rock Series – Sharma appears in multiple installments, including Reel Rock 7 (2012) documenting the La Dura Dura battle with Adam Ondra, and Reel Rock 12 (2017) featuring his five-year project Alasha.
Chris Sharma Climbing Shoes and Sponsors
Sharma's current shoe sponsor is Tenaya (since October 2018), primarily using the Mastia model along with the Oasi and Indalo. He previously represented Five Ten (1998–2006) and Evolv (2006–2016), where he developed popular signature models including the Pontas, Shaman, and Nexxo.
His full current sponsor roster includes Petzl (harness and gear), prAna (longtime clothing sponsor), Red Bull, Climbskin (chalk), and Maxim Ropes.
Chris Sharma and the Olympics
Despite his competitive background (which includes US National Championships wins, World Cup medals, and an X Games gold), Sharma has no direct Olympic involvement. He retired from competition climbing well before the sport debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, he has discussed sport climbing's Olympic inclusion in media appearances and his gyms have benefited from the surge of interest that Olympic exposure has brought to the sport.
Chris Sharma Climbing Style and Training Philosophy
Sharma's approach to climbing is built on aggressive, highly dynamic movement paired with a meditative psychological framework. Routes like Three Degrees of Separation feature three mandatory dynos; Es Pontàs required sticking a 7-foot dyno over 50 times. His philosophy emphasizes maximum effort and full commitment to every attempt.
Perhaps most notably for training-obsessed climbers, Sharma has famously eschewed systematic training for most of his career, preferring to climb as his sole preparation rather than following structured hangboard or cross-training protocols. His multi-year commitment to single routes (Es Pontàs took three years, Alasha took five, Black Pearl took four) exemplifies a patient, process-oriented approach to projecting.
That said, even Sharma's "just climbing" approach demands extraordinary finger strength, the kind built over 30+ years of pulling on the smallest holds in the world. For most climbers, especially those without three decades of base, a structured hangboard routine is the most efficient path to building the finger strength that research shows predicts climbing grade better than any other physical metric.
Chris Sharma Today (2025–2026)
At 44, Sharma remains at the cutting edge. His 2023 first ascent of Sleeping Lion (9b+) at age 41 demonstrated world-class performance at an age when most elite athletes have long retired. He continues to project Perfecto Mundo (9b+) in Margalef, a route he's worked on for over 15 years, and Le Blond at Oliana, which he has suggested could be graded 5.15d if completed.
His gyms are enrolling for their 2025–2026 climbing school season, and he continues establishing new routes in Mallorca and across Spain. In a recent interview, Sharma reflected: "Through all these different experiences, I realized how much I love climbing and that it's what I'm most talented at."
Where his contemporaries from the 1990s have long moved on, Sharma's ongoing commitment to the sport, both on rock and through his gym business, makes him a living testament to what sustained passion and dedication can achieve in climbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Chris Sharma?
Chris Sharma is currently 44 years old. He was born on April 23, 1981, in Santa Cruz, California. Despite his age, he remains one of the most active elite climbers in the world, establishing a 9b+ first ascent as recently as 2023.
How tall is Chris Sharma?
Chris Sharma is 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) tall and weighs approximately 165 lbs (75 kg). His height gives him a slight reach advantage on many routes, complemented by a +2.5 inch ape index. Compare your measurements to Sharma's and other pro climbers here.
Is Chris Sharma Indian?
No. Chris Sharma is not ethnically Indian. His parents were American followers of Indian yogi Baba Hari Dass, who gave them the surname "Sharma" when they married at the Mount Madonna Center in California. His full name, Christopher Omprakash Sharma, reflects this spiritual heritage rather than ethnic background.
Who is Chris Sharma's wife?
Chris Sharma is married to Jimena Alarcón, a Venezuelan model and television personality. They married in August 2015 and have two children: daughter Alana (born 2016) and son Julian (born 2018). The family lives in Barcelona, Spain.
What is Chris Sharma's net worth?
Chris Sharma's net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million, earned through climbing sponsorships, his five-location climbing gym business, endorsement deals (including Polo Ralph Lauren), and media projects like HBO Max's The Climb.
What is Chris Sharma's hardest climb?
Sharma's hardest first ascent is Sleeping Lion (9b+/5.15c) at Siurana, Spain, completed in 2023 at age 41. His second ascent of La Dura Dura (9b+/5.15c) at Oliana in 2013 was the same grade. He continues to project routes in Margalef and Oliana that he believes could push even higher.
What happened to La Dura Dura?
La Dura Dura at Oliana, Spain faces an uncertain future. A June 2022 wildfire damaged parts of the crag, though La Dura Dura itself survived mostly intact. More critically, in December 2025, the Catalan government banned climbing at the Rumbau cliff citing protection of prehistoric rock art. Legal challenges to the ban are underway. The route has still only been completed twice: by Adam Ondra (February 2013) and Sharma (March 2013).
Who has climbed La Dura Dura?
Only two climbers have completed La Dura Dura: Adam Ondra (first ascent, February 7, 2013) and Chris Sharma (second ascent, March 23, 2013). No third ascent has been made in over 12 years despite attempts by world-class climbers. Janja Garnbret was able to complete all individual moves but couldn't link the full route during 2021–2022 sessions.
Has Alex Honnold climbed La Dura Dura?
No. There are no documented reports of Alex Honnold attempting La Dura Dura. Honnold's focus has been on free soloing and big wall climbing rather than cutting-edge sport climbing grades, which represents a different discipline within the sport.
What does "la dura dura" mean?
"La dura dura" translates loosely from Spanish as "the hard hard", an emphatic, colloquial way of saying "the really hard one." The name was given by Sharma when he bolted the route at Oliana in 2009, reflecting just how difficult he believed the line to be.
Where is Chris Sharma's climbing gym?
Sharma operates five climbing gyms: Sender One in Santa Ana and Los Angeles, California; Sharma Climbing BCN in Barcelona, Spain; Sharma Climbing Gavà near Barcelona (Spain's largest gym); and Sharma Climbing Madrid, which features Europe's largest climbing wall.
What shoes does Chris Sharma wear?
Sharma currently climbs in Tenaya shoes (since 2018), primarily the Mastia model. He previously wore Five Ten (1998–2006) and Evolv (2006–2016), developing signature models with both brands.
Was Chris Sharma in Point Break?
Yes. Sharma served as a stunt double and climbing technical advisor for the 2015 Point Break remake, doubling for actor Luke Bracey during the Angel Falls climbing sequences filmed in Venezuela.
What is "The Climb" with Chris Sharma and Jason Momoa?
The Climb is an 8-episode reality climbing competition that aired on HBO Max in 2023. Sharma co-created and co-hosted the show with actor Jason Momoa. The two first met as teenagers climbing at Hueco Tanks in the 1990s. The show was filmed in Mallorca, Jordan, and Spain.
Is Chris Sharma still climbing?
Yes. As of 2025, Sharma is still actively climbing at an elite level. He established Sleeping Lion (9b+) in 2023, completed Black Pearl and Vision Quest DWS in 2023–2024, and continues projecting routes at his gyms and across Spain. He's also working on Perfecto Mundo (9b+) in Margalef, a 15+ year project.
