French climber Sébastien Bouin has made the first ascent of Vidra la Vida 5.15b/c, now the hardest route in Croatia.
The line is located on the island of Hvar and represents the culmination of a project that began in early May with his ascent of the first pitch, Vidra 5.14d. Less than a month later, the full line was completed. Both pitches were initially bolted in part by Klemen Bečan. The climbing on Vidra La Vida is long, powerful, and features a crux in the roof section with an unconventional 360° spin. The move clocks in at around V11.
About the route, Bouin said, “When difficulty meets beauty. I am So happy to bring this dream line to life. I started the trip with no expectations—no idea what I’d find. Step by step, I uncovered a stunning, inspiring line. It ended up demanding more from me than I first thought. But what an amazing time, surrounded by the incredible vibe of the island.”
Bouin noted the weather was far from optimal, “The heat was brutal at times, and I started to feel drained. I even thought about giving up after falling on the final jug. But then a cool north wind rolled in and gave me just enough fire to push through and finish the job. I would like to thank everyone who made it possible, from the local climbers and community, to the friends who shared the days.”