Hardest boulder climbed by a woman. I wasn’t expecting to be this .



Hardest boulder climbed by a woman. , completed the route on Feb. 15b) route, and in 2020, she achieved yet another incredible feat by completing the first free ascent of a 9b (5. The climbing route is called bad girls club. 15a rock climb, debatably making her the first female to reach that level in sport climbing. Apr 30, 2025 · Katie Lamb recently made the first female ascent of The Dark Side V16 (8C+) in Yosemite National Park. This difficulty is inflated by the 20 meters of pumpy climbing that must be first surpassed. Hayes sent the route La Rambla, a 45 Mar 7, 2025 · In July 2023, she climbed Box Therapy in Colorado, initially celebrated as the first woman to ascend a V16 boulder. No other woman has climbed a route of that difficulty before. Jul 11, 2025 · Foundation's Edge Following his success, Flohé took to social media to spread the news, proclaiming "yesterday I flashed my hardest boulder ever," and going on to say that the climb "went perfectly. 12d). In 2017, she became the first woman in history to climb a 9a+ (5. “Lots of rock climbing lately!” said Garnbret on Instagram. Molly Thompson-Smith is a female climber from United Kingdom who has bouldered up to 8B and sport climbed up to 8c. Nov 4, 2022 · It’s a bit more mentally taxing than making hard moves three feet off the ground on a boulder problem or while roped up on the hardest sport climbs. 5. May 9, 2024 · Margo Hayes has become a beacon of inspiration for climbers everywhere, especially aspiring female athletes in the climbing world. One year later, ascents of Sharma’s La Dura Dura in Oliana, Spain were climbed by Ondra and Sharma. We talked with the 19-year-old Boulder, Colorado native about her experience working the route and breaking the 5. Jul 20, 2023 · The last few years have been rich in first ascents in bouldering. Dec 1, 2006 · All climbers who have done 9a+ or harder (of which FA), including a number of fantasists as per usual. Nalle, who has sent She was the first-ever female to solve an 8A+/8B (V12/13) graded bouldering route with Pura Vida in 2008, and has repeated some of the hardest traditional climbing routes in the world, including Meltdown in 2023, which at 8c+ (5. 14b, later downgraded to a 5. 14d), on Open Your Mind Direct, which was initially claimed to be a harder grade – potentially the hardest climb ever by a woman – due to a hold Oct 25, 2023 · Hill was 14 when she took up the sport, but in just four years she'd sent the hardest route ever free climbed by a woman to that point, the Ophir Broke in Colorado, rated at 7c (5. Sep 9, 2022 · In climbing, the rise of gyms and competitions ushered in a major uptick in women climbing hard. e. Its slightly sexist because no woman had ever been able to climb it making the route a boys club. The Dark Side is 17 moves long and graded V16, making it the hardest boulder problem in Yosemite, and among the hardest in the United States. Margo Hayes (born February 11, 1998) [1] is an American professional rock climber from Boulder, Colorado. In this post we firstly take a look at the history and evolution of the world’s hardest boulder problems followed by looking at what the hardest problem’s in the world currently are. May 13, 2024 · The fact that Janja was able to climb the boulder twice in a single session, as well as her statement that the moves felt relatively easy, suggests that 8C - despite being the hardest grade that any woman has climbed to date - is far from the limit for Janja. 15a) by successfully ascending “La Rambla” in Siurana, Spain, in February 2017, one of the world’s hardest sport climbing routes. May 9, 2023 · Just like the first boulder or sport climb of a new grade, perhaps the first move of Burden has finally broken this ceiling. The route was bolted in the Hanshelleren Cave of Flatanger, Norway. Lynn Hill is a female climber from USA who has bouldered up to 7B, sport climbed up to 8b+ and trad climbed up to E8. WOMEN'S BOULDER FINAL Naïlé Maignan of France – 99. Jul 27, 2020 · Over the weekend, 19-year-old Italian climber Laura Rogora redpointed Ali Hulk Sit Start Extension Total (9b, 5. This article lists the hardest problems in bouldering, where climbers push the boundaries of human capability to solve the hardest boulder problems on the planet. Or a 9b+ route either unless you climb at the Klättercentret in Stockholm) Dec 27, 2024 · After a break from top-end trad since COVID, the route marked a return to form for Twyford and was the hardest trad ascent by a British woman of 2024. But she was simply motivated to find the next big step in her climbing. “Perfect conditions and my third [5. Spectre aside, Lamb has five 8B+ boulders to her name, making her a clear contender to join the small group of women to have climbed 8C. When Czech climber Adam Ondra made the first free ascent on 3 September 2017, it became the first rock climb in the world to have a proposed climbing grade of 9c (5. Jun 6, 2023 · Undoubtedly as the world of climbing training continues to develop, with better gyms, coaches, science, and technology, plenty more men, women (and most likely) children will continue to push the boundaries of the sport. The Big Slamm in Italy: First climbed by Elias Jul 19, 2012 · Southern Smoke Direct, meanwhile, begins from the ground, starting with a hard boulder problem that saps your energy before you even get to the real climbing, according to Adam Taylor, the route's first ascender. These problems, often graded V15 and above, are Jun 8, 2023 · 2016: Nalle Hukkataival claims the ascent of his long-term Lappnor project. The hardest routes completed by female climbers are graded at 5. Despite this gender disparity, there is a long history of impressive female climbers who have broken barriers and shattered gender stereotypes. The problem was a long term project for Nalle Hukkataival, with the Finn dedicating three years, six climbing seasons and over 4000+ attempts. Feb 8, 2018 · In back-to-back days, Michaela Kiersch and Paige Claassen secured the first and second female ascents of Necessary Evil, a 5. Here are our top significant (and memorable) ascents of the year (in no particular order). Sep 28, 2017 · Three years later, just days before her 20th birthday, Zangerl’s send of this strength-intensive line marked the hardest boulder problem achieved by a woman at the time. Burden of Dreams is a 4-meter, 8-move boulder problem located in Lappnor, Finland. 15 barrier. This makes the strong Brit not only the first woman to Natalie Berry is a female climber from United Kingdom who has bouldered up to 8A, sport climbed up to 8b and trad climbed up to E7. Alex Megos climbs his hardest boulder to Apr 8, 2025 · The ascent is historic – the first female ascent of a route graded 5. 14a) in the Virgin River Gorge. All of these problems are currently graded 5. Sep 5, 2023 · She’s now raised the bar once again by sending Daniel Woods’ Box Therapy, a V16 problem in Rocky Mountain National Park that’s likely now the most difficult boulder climbed by a woman. Apr 30, 2025 · Elite climber Katie Lamb crushed 'The Dark Side' - the hardest Female Ascent in Bouldering History. Only a handful of men have climbed it and if you do your in the bad girls club. For now, though, let’s marvel at the hardest sport climbing grade ever achieved: 9c. 15a) at the El Pati sector in Siurana, Spain. Alphane is one of the hardest boulder problems on the planet that made Bosi a 9a/V17 climber in October 2022. 15 ascent for the 23-year-old American Raboutou. [4][5] Climbing awarded Hukkataival a Golden Piton [fr] in 2016 for having the courage May 18, 2017 · On February 26, Margo Hayes of Boulder, Colorado, became the first woman to send a consensus 5. 15d by Jakob Schubert. Pushing the limit is what drives climbing, attracts the media and the public and thus opens even more opportunities for development and progress. 14d, and bouldered up to V14, but is best known for her wildly successful competitive career. In February, she added another hard problem to her tick list, the first female ascent of Spectre V13/14 in the Buttermilks. Several women have climbed 5. 15b) route, Madame Ching. Here’s what some of the top-performing athletes had to say following each round. Jan 27, 2022 · Challenging ascents and long processes have always described climbing and its progression. 15c. 2023: Katie Lamb becomes the first woman to climb a V16 with her ascent of Box Therapy (quickly downgraded by Brooke Raboutou to V15) Nov 4, 2023 · Have you ever looked around the climbing gym or crag and noticed more men than women? Rock climbing can often feel like a male dominated sport, and estimates suggest that only around 40% of rock climbers are women. Box Therapy is situated near the Rocky Mountains National Park, a place known for its challenging boulders and picturesque landscapes. While she was primarily a competition climber in her early career (up to the 2020 Tokyo olympics) she did occasionally climb outside, with highlights such as the first female ascent of New Base Line 8B+ in 2014, making her one of a Dec 14, 2022 · The hardest climbs in the world we’ve listed here often involve months of tries, full days of not making a single set of moves, and years of effort getting to that level. " To put the grade into context, the hardest boulder problems in the world sit at V17 (Font 9a), just a couple of grades above what Flohé flashed. The first woman to climb a 5. Today we will look at the world’s most challenging boulder problems and the differences between them. In climbing it, Kiersch becomes the first woman to send both 5. Feb 5, 2025 · As of the start of February 2025, there are only three rock climbers who’ve ever completed a V17 boulder and 5. 15b+ and only the fifth female ascent of that climbing grade. From hard trad, boulder and sport ascents to Olympic selection and alpine-style climbs on remote Himalayan north faces, there's been plenty to report on and to provide inspiration for all. Oct 28, 2024 · Katie Lamb recently made history by becoming the first woman to climb a proposed V16. (And you definitely don't have a 9B+ boulder in your gym. 6 points, first: “It feels amazing to win in my first competition of the year. Sasha DiGiulian, the undefeated Pan American Champion until 2004, is one of modern climbing’s superstars. 40 of them (20 women, 20 men) will compete in the Combined Boulder and Lead discipline. It became the hardest climb in the world. It could be the most difficult sport climbing route ever climbed by a woman, and it’s the hardest one Italy has on offer. Garnbret was the first woman to onsight 5. Jun 5, 2024 · Two rock stars of the climbing world decided to put up a route near Boulder's Flatirons. 14b, has redpointed up to 5. After seeing repeats from some of the best climbers of the 2000's, including Dave Graham, Chris Sharma, Dai Koyamada, and Adam Ondra, the grade of the boulder settled at a slightly lower 8B+. Jul 31, 2024 · How hard is Olympic Sport Climbing? We caught up with Paris’s head setter to learn what strengths and skills a climber needs to grab gold. But what are the hardest boulder problems right now? #1 is undoubtedly Mar 5, 2024 · Contents How bouldering started The V-Scale Hardest outside boulders in the world Burden of Dreams (V17/9A) Alphane (V17/9A) The Story of Two Worlds (V15/8C) Midnight Lightning (V8/7B) Return of the Sleepwalker (V17/9A) Hardest boulder climbed by a woman Hardest indoor boulder in the world What is your next bouldering destination? Oct 4, 2021 · On Oct. Her ascent shows the continuing progression of women in climbing and sets a powerful example for climbers everywhere. Only four women to date have ticked 8C: Ashima Shiraishi (2016), Kaddi Lehmann (2018), Mishka Ishi (2019) and Oriane Bertone (2020). Climber #≥9a+ #FA 1 Adam Ondra 61 39 2 Chris Sharma 21 16 3 Alex Megos 15 5 4 Stefano Ghisolfi 14 3 5 Jun 29, 2025 · Janja Garnbret is a female climber from Slovenia who has bouldered up to 8C and sport climbed up to 9a. While many strong climbers have tried it, only Ondra has been able to link every move. 20 hours ago · Since 1970, Climbing Magazine has been the voice of the climbing world, publishing climbing news, interviews, features, opinions, and advice. The technically hardest redpoint of a multi-pitch (or big wall) route is at the grade of 9a+ (5. The Hardest Boulder Problems in the World A list of all the boulder problems 8C+ or harder that have currently been climbed, including details of the first ascent. It was the Olympic climber’s second 5. Dec 6, 2022 · In 2013, I became the first woman to climb the hardest big-wall grade to date—Bellavista in the Italian Dolomites—a 5. Lamb’s ascent marks Apr 11, 2025 · The American said, before becoming the first woman to climb 5. Sep 14, 2023 · Katie Land made history in July 2023 by becoming the first woman to send a V16 (8C+) boulder. Since Jun 8, 2023 · Keeping tabs on thousands of ascents is no easy task, which is why we have created the Hard 100: Bouldering Edition, an archive where you can explore the toughest, meanest, most finger-twisting boulder ascents this generation of crushers have sent. 15b) in 2017. Brooke Raboutou is a female climber from USA who has bouldered up to 8C and sport climbed up to 9b+. Lamb recently released film of her sticking the crux sequence, which can be viewed below. Both are currently graded V17 (9A). Feb 2, 2017 · Finnish climber Nalle Hukkataival made an estimated 4,000 attempts on what's currently the world's toughest bouldering problem before finally conquering it last October. Dec 17, 2024 · Babsi Zangerl just became the first person to free climb a route on El Capitan on her first try, without a fall. 15c: Silence 5. Sep 29, 2023 · The first 5. 15d: Bolted by Adam Ondra in 2012 and first climbed by Ondra in 2017. Breaking into new difficulties remains challenging in 2022, but climbers have become progressively more comfortable with the V17 rating as a greater number of athletes break into the V16 range. Since the groundbreaking first ascent of Burden of Dreams in 2016, the number of climbs proposed at this grade has slowly grown. Here’s the most up-to-date list to March 2023. 14c) is still the hardest traditional climbing grade by a female climber. Aug 6, 2024 · The men's Olympic semifinal bouldering round was too hard, but the setters totally redeemed themselves in today's women's semifinal. He suggests a V17 grade (9a), the world’s first. 15 with her ascent of La Rambla (5. Aug 10, 2023 · Sasha DiGiulian, the undefeated Pan American Champion until 2004, is one of modern climbing’s superstars. Jul 27, 2023 · While women can face morphological disadvantages in climbing, they are finding their own ways around the world's hardest climbs previously established by men (think Lynn Hill's first free ascent of The Nose and Margo Hayes on La Rambla 9a+). In many ways, this represented the passing On April 8, just a day before her 24th birthday, American rock climber Brooke Raboutou made history by climbing one of the hardest routes in the world. Based on my circle of climbing partners, I'd say most people who have years of regular & enthusiastic climbing experience, but don't train systematically, plateau out at somewhere around 7a. ” Oct 22, 2024 · Bouldering in the UK has gotten even harder, with the discovery of the ‘Britain’s hardest boulder’ in the Lake District. In 2017, she etched her name into climbing history by becoming the first woman to successfully climb a route graded 9a+ (5. Mar 21, 2016 · During a spring-break trip to Japan, she climbed a boulder problem with a difficulty rating of V15—essentially, at the current limit of climbing difficulty. She is an Olympic silver medalist in the combined bouldering and lead climbing event (2024). This makes Shiraishi not only the The technically hardest boulder solved is at the boulder grade of V17 (9A) for men and V16 (8C+) for women. Feb 8, 2025 · Michaela Kiersch: In fall 2024, Michaela Kiersch became the ninth woman to climb V15 with the famous Fred Nicole boulder called Dreamtime V15 in Cresciano, Switzerland. 15d. 15a (9a+) or higher. 14c in Arizona In Spain, at a climbing area called Santa Linya, she achieved a quick ascent of a 5. 2, 20-year-old Laura Rogora set a new benchmark for the hardest rock climb done by a female climber. 14a. Boulder native free climbs El Capitan in less than one day. 15b/c (9b/+) in Arco, Italy. A riskier climb might not require more physical strength, but it will require more mental strength. Burden of Dreams is a 4-metre (13 ft) red granite grade 9A (V17) bouldering problem at Lappnor near Loviisa, in Finland. Aug 10, 2024 · Janja Garnbret (March 12, 1999) is a Slovenian climber and two time Olympic Gold medalist in Sport Climbing. Jul 22, 2024 · How the Combined Boulder & Lead Sport Climbing event works On Monday, August 5, 68 climbers will begin vying for Olympic medals in Paris, competing in two separate disciplines. Will Bosi has just made the second ascent of Excalibur 5. 15 and V15. Shauna Coxsey is a female climber from United Kingdom who has bouldered up to 8B+ and sport climbed up to 8b. Since debuting on the IFSC circuit in 2015, at the age of 16, she has earned a total of 32 World Cup gold medals and Oct 25, 2023 · In 2015, Shiraishi climbed her first 9a (5. Found by climbing enthusiast Dan Varien in the summer of 2023, ‘Spots of Time’, which is named after the William Wordsworth poem, has been proposed for the world’s Apr 8, 2025 · American rock climber Brooke Raboutou has become the first woman in the world to climb 9b+ with her redpoint of 'Excalibur' at Arco, Italy. For Lamb, the public discourse surrounding Box Therapy was an eye-opening experience. 15b in the past, including Angela Eiter, Laura Rogora, Julia Chanourdie, and Anak Verhoeven. Here’s our guide to the worlds hardest bouldering grade. I think it went at 14. The World’s 30 Hardest Boulder Problems The majority of the climbs are found in Europe, North America and Japan Gripped April 14, 2022 Apr 9, 2025 · Brooke Raboutou was born in Boulder, Colorado, and comes from a lineage of legendary climbers. Climber, writer, and activist, Sasha is one of the strongest and most determined athletes of her generation, with over Jun 29, 2025 · Janja Garnbret is a female climber from Slovenia who has bouldered up to 8C and sport climbed up to 9a. It is still unrepeated. Hayes, who completed the climb on February 26, 2017, is the first female to climb a route rated at Apr 19, 2023 · In April 2023, pro-climber, Will Bosi, claimed the second ascent of the world's hardest boulder problem 'Burden of Dreams'. I wasn’t expecting to be this Jun 3, 2025 · What is the definition of a badass? First ascents, adventurous women-led expeditions, and boulder problems that got crushed against all odds are only a few of the achievements that led to writing this detailed climbing guide. Laura Rogora (Italy) and Julia Chanourdie (France), have since matched this. Apr 14, 2023 · Katie Lamb, 25, has one of the world’s most impressive bouldering résumés. 15a with her ascent of La Rambla in Siurana, Spain. Her career highlights include winning two Female Overall World Championships and being the first North American woman and third woman in the world to climb a 9a (5. This groundbreaking ascent means she's only the tenth person The Hardest Boulder Problems in the World A list of all the boulder problems 8C+ or harder that have currently been climbed, including details of the first ascent. For men I have documented every 9b send, 8c+ flash, V16 send, and V13 flash. 26. To Apr 6, 2023 · The boulders at the top level are now climbing V16 and as of yet there isn’t even a handful who have entered the elusive V17 group. Shauna Coxsey draws attention once again by climbing a difficult boulder: Im Peak District she climbs the 8B+ boulder T. 15a), shattering ceilings and setting new standards for climbers worldwide. I'd love to hear your feedback :) Anna Taylor is a female climber from United Kingdom who has bouldered up to 8A and trad climbed up to E9. Feb 26, 2024 · THE WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP: Austin Purdy breaks into the V16 grade; Canada's hardest-graded boulder sees a second ascent; Drew Ruana continues crushing Colorado; and Elnaz Rekabi competes for the first time since doing so without a headscarf last year. 14d). Women have been sending hard for Feb 19, 2025 · To date, the hardest onsight grades are 5. In doing so, she has become the first woman to climb both V15 and 5. 15a) graded route, and in 2019, became the first woman in history May 12, 2025 · In the realm of elite bouldering, V17 boulder problems (Fontainebleau grade 9A) represent the absolute cutting edge of difficulty. Oct 27, 2023 · Let’s encourage celebration of women and not competition between them especially in the area of adventure where limitations have no place - hiking, climbing, and mountaineering! Here are our picks of the top 30 female climbers and mountain adventurers of all time - in no particular order. She remarked on Instagram, “ Dream boulder done. 15b was Angela Eiter (Austria), who climbed “La Planta de Shiva” in Villanueva del Rosario, Spain, on 22 October 2017. In March, days before her 15th birthday, Ashima Shiraishi successfully climbed Horizon on Mt. Traversi projected the problem on and off for years before his eventual FA, which he called his most difficult boulder ever. Margo made history in 2017 by being the first woman to conquer a 9a+ (5. 15c is the world’s second hardest climbing grade. Apr 5, 2021 · Shauna Coxsey is a British boulderer and one of the strongest female climbers in the UK. Nov 13, 2024 · Brooke Raboutou is a female climber from USA who has bouldered up to 8C and sport climbed up to 9b+. The problem was first eyed by Daniel Woods, a seasoned climber with numerous first ascents under his belt. She has climbed two 5. Nov 14, 2024 · The boulder was first climbed by Fred Nicole in the year 2000. Climber, writer, and activist, Sasha is one of the strongest and most determined athletes of her generation, with over Nov 12, 2024 · Dreamtime was the world first proposed V15 boulder. Silence 5. The strong Brit repeats the 8B+ boulder The Boss in Yarncliffe in the Peak District, which her husband Ned Feehally first climbed in 2020. 14d for men and 5. Angy is an Austrian powerhouse that has achieved the unachievable. Ondra grades the first of these at V15 and says it is one of the hardest sequences he has ever climbed, tied in or not. Aug 10, 2024 · An epic Bouldering final in Women's Olympic Sport Climbing sets us up for a big showdown in Lead later this morning. In this interview, she goes over her process to Jun 23, 2023 · Margo Hayes; a true inspiration to all aspiring female climbers out there. I remember seeing a video about a Japanese woman who projected a Daniel Woods roof for like 5 years. 15c in Italy, making him the third In March, days before her 15th birthday, Ashima Shiraishi successfully climbed Horizon on Mt. Established by Stefano Ghisolfi in 2023 and repeated by Will Bosi in February 2025, this fierce, intense overhang stands as one of the hardest sport climbs in the world. Apr 30, 2025 · We spoke to the British climber to learn how he managed one of the world's hardest boulders in under two weeks. Adam Ondra has put up the hardest sport routes, hard boulder problems, won multiple competitions and now runs a successful YouTube channel and brand promoting his own merch and climbing holds. With a proposed a grade of 8C, Dreamtime was - at the time - the hardest boulder in the world. 15d Seb Bouin, and Big 5. 15b, and three climbers have so far achieved this feat. Oct 25, 2016 · Two days ago, Nalle Hukkataival climbed a project 3 1/2 years in the making, a bouldering problem titled Burden of Dreams. The HArd 100 The hardest 100 ascents in both bouldering and sport climbing. Feb 27, 2017 · Margo Hayes, a 19-year-old from Boulder, Colorado, just became the first woman to climb 5. 15c, Excalibur forced her to “argue with doubt until it began to doubt itself. I analysed 4 million climbing ascents to answers some common questions that are asked in climbing. After climbing this, the real business begins– three distinct hard boulder problems stacked on top of each other. 15c) sport climbing route. Three women, including Rogora, had previously climbed 5. May 3, 2024 · Shauna Coxsey is the first woman to crack the 8B+ difficulty level in Gritstone. Rogora clipped the chains after just five sessions. Sep 6, 2023 · Lamb logged Spectre as an 8B+ boulder, saying that it featured the 'hardest single move' she had ever done. She told UKC: Nov 14, 2023 · Raboutou's flash of Nascondino is a contender for hardest boulder flash of all time, with the slash grade setting Nascondino a half-grade above 8A+ flashes from Ashima Shiraishi, Charlotte André, and Janja Garnbret. Rogora is now the second woman to have ever climbed the grade, after Angela Eiter’s ascent of La Planta de Shiva (5. She is the first-ever woman to redpoint a 5. The boulder consists of 18 hard crimpy moves and has only seen 4 ascents, with the most recent one being the first female ascent of a V16! Oct 29, 2018 · Hardest Routes The history and development of rock climbing is marked and driven by the ascension of ever harder climbs. She currently holds the top spot on 8a. Get it? Reply reply [deleted] • ya, and thanks answering it Reply reply LegalElk • This list compiles climbing's hard sport and boulder sends and flashes for both men and women. 15d), and it is an important route in rock climbing history. 14b for women. It was first climbed by Finnish climber Nalle Hukkataival on 23 October 2016, who spent four years projecting the boulder, [3] and features in the 2017 climbing film, The Lappnor Project. Before I got old and a broken elbow, I climbed hard enough to climb with people who worked Fragile Steps and other problems of the grade, but it was still too hard for me to ever do more than look at the holds. ” Janja Garnbret is attempting to climb La Dura Dura (9b+). There has never been a V18 established, yet, and there are three routes graded harder than 5. He climbed Change and graded it 5. 15a — an elite grade rarely climbed by anyone, even male climbers. Dec 31, 2023 · 2023 was a another eventful year in the climbing world. Her climb was only the ninth ascent overall and the second female ascent, but it also meant a lot to Twyford personally. Dec 27, 2021 · The 24-year-old climbed four V12 problems this year and though she did not climb V13, this rounding out of the top 10 speaks to the increasing development of women in outdoor climbing. Mar 14, 2017 · On February 26, 2017, Margo Hayes made history as the first woman to climb 5. 15b. On March 9 2025, she successfully sent Excalibur at Drena, Italy, etching her name into the history books in the process. 15c (9b+) graded sport-climbing route with her 2025 Nov 27, 2024 · This boulder with nine high-end crushing moves was discovered by Dave Graham and first climbed by the American climber Shawn Raboutou in April 2022. Adam Ondra flashes The Ace 8B 'The world's best climber Nov 29, 2021 · Since her debut on the competitive climbing circuit in 2013, Janja has become recognized as the most decorated competitive climber in sporting history, showing dominance in both the disciplines of lead and bouldering, being a 4 x World Champion, 9 x World Cup overall season winner and the first-ever female Olympic Climbing champion. The process was documented in a new film. Jul 23, 2023 · The Czech climbing legend is probably the best professional rock climber currently. Today we’ll talk about the hardest sport climbing routes, the stories of how they came to be, and the people who’ve climbed them. Sep 6, 2023 · She's described as a boulderer in the first line, there are photos of the boulder immediately afterwards, and the rest of the text repeatedly informs that she is a boulderer, who has climbed a hard boulder problem, previously climbed by other good boulderers. 14b] onsight Popolni mrk in Mišja peč. Feb 27, 2017 · Hayes, 19, from Boulder, Colo. May 16, 2025 · The IFSC Climbing World Cup in Curitiba, Brazil, marked a historic moment for the sport as the first-ever World Cup held on South American soil. Records for flashed climbs (i. 15c route. Hardest Boulders Back to contents What better place to track hard boulders, their first ascensionist and repeaters than the world’s largest rock climbing and bouldering platform. Excalibur is the first 5. May 13, 2024 · By climbing Bügeleisen Sit this makes it her hardest boulder to date after Bügeleisen Stand and New Base Line (Font 8B+) that she climbed last year at Magic Wood in Switzerland. Video: Brooke Raboutou flashes Nascondino (8A+/B) and Darkness (8A+) Jun 5, 2023 · V17 bouldering, the mightiest of grades that very few crushers can attain. In recent years, more Apr 10, 2025 · Brooke Raboutou has made history by becoming the first woman in history to climb a 9b+ (5. 15b), in Ali Baba’s Cave in Rodellar, Spain. That achievement, however, became mired in controversy after top climbers later reevaluated the climb, downgrading it to V15. In 1996, Mia Axon became the fourth woman to redpoint 5. For those unfamiliar with ratings and route names, our climbing writer offers an explainer. 15c was climbed a decade ago. There are now a dozen climbs graded 5. May 1, 2025 · Yesterday, American boulderer Katie Lamb announced that she’d scaled The Dark Side in Yosemite National Park. . As of May 2025, there are 13 known V17 boulders worldwide — Mar 1, 2017 · Nineteen-year-old climber Margo Hayes from Boulder, Colorado, climbs La Rambla in Siurana, Spain. Brooke Raboutou (/ ˈræbətuː / RAB-ə-too; born April 9, 2001) [2] is a French-American professional rock climber who specializes in competition climbing (lead and boulder), sport climbing and bouldering. Adam owns the hardest on-sight (9a) and hardest flash (9a+), first to bolt and climb 9c, is a beast on trad including the more dangerous variants in Czech, owns numerous first ascents and has bolted many routes. Really proud because I consider this my hardest one till now. Neither have very many men. 15a. 15d by Adam Ondra, DNA 5. Natalie Berry is a female climber from United Kingdom who has bouldered up to 8A, sport climbed up to 8b and trad climbed up to E7. I know multiple women have v13 sends, including Ashima who has climbed several v13s, some being in Hueco. 15c or 5. Oct 25, 2023 · Hill was 14 when she took up the sport, but in just four years she'd sent the hardest route ever free climbed by a woman to that point, the Ophir Broke in Colorado, rated at 7c (5. 15a). Mar 27, 2023 · By 2012, Adam Ondra had become one of the few that establish new difficulty. theCrag’s advanced search allows you to create any list of routes, by style, region or grade. The boulder, later named the Burden Of Dreams, is recognized as the first-ever V17 boulder, and the highest level of modern bouldering. If she manages to climb it, she would be the first woman to ever climb 9b+. 14a/b. Hiei in Japan. The remaining 28 (14 women, 14 men) will compete in the Speed discipline. Also included are two V16/17 problems, with only one having been repeated. Nov 16, 2023 · An incredible achievement when you consider that only a handful of female boulderers have ever managed to climb an 8A+ boulder in this style. Apr 11, 2025 · Brooke Raboutou just became the first woman to ascend a route rated 5. Until now, no woman had completed a 9b+ route—one of the hardest confirmed grades in the world. 15a) graded route, and since then, she has been unstoppable. She became the first woman in history to climb a 9b (5. May 4, 2023 · Of all the climbing disciplines bouldering stands as a testament to the raw power, intricate technique, and mental fortitude required to conquer climbing’s most formidable challenges. The 45-metre cave route is found at Flatanger, Norway. In 2016, she won both the competition bouldering and the competition lead climbing events at the IFSC Climbing World Youth Championships in Guangzhou (China). This discipline of rock climbing, by shortening the distance, places an emphasis on executing the hardest sequences of moves possible – puzzle-like arrangements of holds known as "problems" rather than "routes". Established by Carlo Traversi in December 2023, the ultra-technical and subtle line is found on the Thriller Boulder in the forest beside Camp 4. Regularly updated to keep you in the loop with the biggest sends. Could climbing's hardest move to date actually have been done on an indoor boulder? Jan 16, 2025 · Over the past few months, two new V17s have been climbed: Shaolin V17 by Sean Bailey, and No One Mourns the Wicked V17 by Nathaniel Coleman. 14 with Planet Earth (5. Spectre was first Oct 4, 2021 · On October 2, Laura Rogora redpointed “Erebor” 5. 15a sport routes in total with La Rambla in 2023 and Víctima Perfecta in 2024. She became the first woman and the youngest person ever to solve the “V15” bouldering(攀岩) problem, despite the most difficult type of problems in the sport. Her mother, Robyn Erbesfield-Raboutou, blazed trails as a four-time Overall World Cup winner and one of the few women to conquer 5. nu ‘s world ranking of female boulderers. Mar 24, 2022 · The World’s Current Hardest Boulder Problem Based solely on grade, the title of world’s hardest boulder problem is currently shared by two problems: Burden of Dreams and Return of the Sleepwalker. Though she's climbed a grade harder (in 2016 she became the fifth woman in the world to boulder V14 . Apr 9, 2025 · A Landmark Moment in Climbing Climbing Excalibur places Raboutou at the forefront of modern sport climbing. His new film, out next Jul 3, 2025 · She gained widespread recognition for becoming the first woman to climb a route graded 9a+ (5. She has won two bouldering world cups, firstly in 2016 and then in 2017. It is a unique sub-discipline of climbing since you have to be a strong swimmer as well as a climber. May 6, 2022 · A complete list of the hardest sport climbs in the world. Below are the nine boulders that have been graded V17, of which three have been repeated and confirmed, while four are suggestions. Recent . Silence (also Project Hard), is a 45-metre (148 ft) severely overhanging sport climbing route in the granite Hanshelleren Cave in Flatanger Municipality, Norway. tehu ohzrbay nsycurbm qdnwbio ykqjx kwm ped ucseg yevpsr cphzq