V15 climbing. The send made her the youngest person to climb the grade. Dai Koyamada made the first ascent in 2005 by adding six moves of V11/12 to the existing Hydra (V13). “Everything has not been the same difficulty, but everything has been the same number. If you’re used to the V Scale, common in the U. Mar 30, 2025 · In 2021 alone, he made the first ascents of So What V15, Low Miall’s V15, Turn and Burn V14, and Carnage V14. 15a (9a+) and V15 (8C). Climber on the Rave Heart V8 (7B/7B+) section of The Wheel of Life, which is graded at both a boulder route at V15 (8C), and a free climbing route at f9a (5. Only the top climbers in the bouldering hall are at this level. He describes the boulder as a 65-degree overhanging prow on a hillside with a potential 20-foot fall into the river. Dec 6, 2010 · Daniel Woods climbs Hypnotized Minds (V15) in Rocky Mountain National Park, which he put up in October 2010. Numerous holds broke during and immediately following Fred Nicole’s second ascent in 2006, causing many to dismiss it as Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without the use of ropes or harnesses. In 2021, he redpointed Asagimadara V15 on his third attempt. Mar 8, 2011 · 3/8/11 - Paul Robinson has finally closed the book on The Story of Two Worlds (V15), a Dave Graham problem on the Dreamtime boulder in Cresciano, Switzerland. Jul 8, 2017 · Fred Nicole started climbing at Cresciano, Switzerland, in 1991 and went on to make first ascents of many of the area’s test-piece lines. “It was like V15 was the V and the time was Nov 21, 2013 · 11/21/13 - Daniel Woods has claimed his 19th (that's right, 19th) V15 boulder problem with the first ascent of the aptly named Defying Gravity. After failing to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Bailey noted (in a long and painful Instagram post about the pressures and challenges of Dec 16, 2024 · Austin Geiman recently made waves when he sent the iconic testpiece, Defying Gravity, V15 , after 11 years and 100+ sessions. To midwest climbers and those in the know, she was already a legend for her incredible training sessions and ability to balance a career outside climbing. Earlier this month, Robinson finished the third ascent of Loved by Few, Hated by Many (V14) at Horseshoe May 2, 2025 · In 2024, Michaela Kiersch became the first woman to climb both V15 and 5. ” Jul 11, 2014 · 7-11-14 Ashima Shiraishi has become the second female to climb V14 ever! Yesterday, Shiraishi sent Golden Shadow (V14) in Rocklands, South Africa. It was the new standard of hard bouldering and set the stage for the past 17 years of sends. He's just getting started. In 2019, he flashed Decided V14, Toru Nakajima’s problem in Mizugaki, Japan. Jun 26, 2023 · Ethan Salvo, a 20-year-old Canadian and former competitive swimmer, did his first V15 last winter. ” Hukkataival suggested that because of grade stagnation, climbers began reporting how many days, how many hours, how many attempts it took to climb V15. In 2016 Oct 28, 2024 · On October 20, Austin Geiman sent his long-term mega-project, Defying Gravity V15 (8C) in Thunder Ridge, Colorado. In addition, the skill level of the climber has also been included. Get to grips with bouldering grades and learn how to use them to navigate the sport, from beginner-friendly V0 routes to the most challenging V16 ascents. It requires strict training and dedication to get to this level. Norwegian Midtbø won the Youth World Championships in 2005, has climbed 5. The first crux involves a large move off a left-hand, full-pad crimp to a quarter-pad sloping edge ”It was my full expansion,” Daniel says. , you might wonder how 8C compares. Megatron is the latest success in a meteoric rise for the 23-year-old McArthur, who until recently was almost Feb 23, 2004 · 2/23/04 - British strongman John Gaskins has climbed a new boulder problem at Trowbarrow in the Lakes District of England that he thinks may be V15. In December 2023, Sean Bailey made the first ascent of The Doors of Perception V15 (8C) in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Alex and Michaela chat about becoming a part of history, and the lessons learned from losing a parent at a young age. He’s also at the heart of a vibrant young bouldering scene in Squamish. Only a few years later, she quickly established herself as one of the top boulderers and sport climbers in the world. It’s the 38-year-old’s hardest climb to date. Devised by Nalle Hukkataival, a Finnish climber of immense repute, this V15 graded challenge embodies a unique confluence of difficulty, aesthetics, and height. V16 and V17 problems are often projects that take years to complete, even for the world’s best climbers. It can take 3 to 6 months to be confident at V3, although some strong and fit people can achieve V3s by the end of their first month. 15 putting her on climbing’s global radar. The problem starts on the Veritas sitstart and trends right. The Big Island is a low start to The Island V14, a line put up by Dave Graham in 2008. Sep 14, 2022 · At just 4′ 11″, Beckett Hsin has been ticking boulders most grown climbers can only dream of. nu. Dec 27, 2023 · Sean Bailey does Lucid Dreaming and suggests it might be harder than V15 Just two weeks ago, in this very weekly roundup, I wrote about Sean Bailey’s stunningly successful return to outdoor climbing after several years devoted largely to competitions. While the number of climbers who have climbed V15 has increased, most lack a diverse resume of grades at the range. In short: 8C roughly equals V15 on the Hueco V Scale, or 5. 14d) May 15, 2017 · Here is my guide to climb V15 –a plan I made to provide a systematic approach to tick this elusive grade and place myself in the ranks of super-human, bouldering idols. Although he’s best known for his indoor comp climbing accomplishments, this isn’t the first time Narasaki has flashed an outdoor V14. Oct 24, 2023 · THE WEEKLY ROUNDUP: The Free Hallucinogen Wall repeated by Hazel Findlay and Angus Kille; Ondra Flashes 5. Woods is one of the most accomplished bouldering specialists ever, on both rock and plastic. They are most likely professionals and have sponsorships. The powerful yet technical line was then repeated by Zach Galla a few weeks later. Summit Members can read it online today at The Climbing Q&A Not long after, Ashima quickly caught the attention of the climbing world when she became the youngest person to climb a V10 in Hueco Tanks at just age eight, at age 9 was the youngest to climb a V12, at 14 the youngest female to climb a V14 and the first female to climb a V15 at the age of 14. Jun 8, 2023 · Will Bosi on what is considered the hardest boulder in the world – Burden of Dreams (V17) ©Diego Borello Below you will find the complete list of the hardest boulder problems in 2024. Dec 9, 2013 · 12/9/13 – Just two days apart, Daniel Woods and Jimmy Webb grabbed consecutive ascents of Paul Robinson’s Meadowlark Lemon (V15) in Red Rock, Nevada. [1][2] Apr 30, 2025 · On April 20, English climber and Olympian Hamish McArthur made the first repeat of Shawn Raboutou’s Megatron (V17), one of the world’s hardest boulders. Megatron adds about half-a-dozen moves of V15/16 into the stand-start Tron (V14) in Colorado’s Eldorado Canyon State Park. In 2000, he made the first ascent of Dreamtime as the world’s first V15 (8C). But those accumulated miles she pedaled uphill to Kryptos—an aesthetic limestone seam in the Swiss Jura—pale in comparison to the internal journey she endured to reach the top of that boulder. Familiarise yourself with the differences. The move up from V2 to V3 starts demanding better technique and endurance. The route was originally put up by Fred Nicole in 2004 with a suggested grade of V15, but was downgraded as it saw further ascents. May 13, 2024 · There are now dozens of V15s and many people have climbed the grade, including the following seven women, who are all considered to be among the best boulderers in the world: Ashima Shiraishi, Mishka Ishii, Kaddi Lehmann, Katie Lamb, Brooke Raboutou, Jana Švecová and Janja Garnbret. Austin started trying this boulder whi… Keenan Takahashi tries to complete the last unclimbed face in the heart of the Buttermilks. Shiraishi started climbing at the age of six at Rat Rock in Central Park, joining her father. May 31, 2025 · The Superhuman: V15-V17 V15 and beyond? We’re in the realm of the genetic lottery winners who’ve dedicated their lives to climbing. Her numerous accomplishments include first-place finishes in international Online Conversion Tool for Climbing Grades & Bouldering Grades: Trad Grade, UIAA, French Sport Grade, Boulder Grades, American Scale & many more. Originally attempted by Chris Sharma and Jason Kehl in the early May 12, 2024 · Brooke Raboutou repeated the problem shortly afterwards, instead suggesting V15, a grade first ascensionist Daniel Woods agreed with. Oct 18, 2024 · Nicholas Allan, 17, on the fourth ascent of KhoiKhoi V15, a problem established 10 years ago by Jimmy Webb as one of the hardest lines in South Africa. The New Chapter climbs through a roof, and adds a hard sequence to the existing Child’s Play (V13), which Robinson climbed in January. Mar 22, 2013 · 3/22/13 – Paul Robinson made the first ascent of what could be a V15 in Arkansas. The Lower V Grades: VB to V3 Climbing VB and V1 in the first few sessions, and V2 by the 4 th to 5 th sessions, seems to be about average. Shiraishi, born in 2001 in New York City, began climbing at six in Central Park’s Rat Rock. Woods first attempted the problem in 2012 to no avail, and then returned this year to finish it off. For the sake of our teams sanity, as well as yours, this list only covers boulder problems graded V15/V16 (8C/8C+) and above. 15, and is one of the world’s most successful climbing YouTube creators with over 2. “It’s like an experiment with six control subjects. Jan Hojer sends Dreamtime V15 in below video. Lots of outside climbing is also needed. 7 million followers. Keep reading to learn how these grading systems compare, why 8C is Aug 25, 2020 · In the past year alone, he’s nabbed first ascents of Ephyra (V16) in Chironico, Switzerland, and Virgo (V15) in Lake Tahoe, and repeated the Paul Robinson highball Lucid Dreaming (V15, 50 feet) in Bishop. Jul 15, 2024 · Giuliano Cameroni and Jimmy Webb weigh in on the landslides that hit the alpine valley of Bavona—home to many top-shelf boulder problems. If we were to extend this list to V15, the Hard 100 list would be infinitely more Jul 20, 2023 · 4) Rocklands – South Africa The Finnish Line V15 The Finnish Line, a world-renowned highball boulder located in Rocklands, South Africa, is a testament to extreme climbing. He has over 25 V15+ ascents to his name, more than any other climber in history, and is also one of the few people to claim an ascent of a V17 boulder. Apr 2, 2021 · He climbed a bevy of hard lines in Switzerland including Off the Wagon Sit (V16), 4-Low (V15, FA), and Primitivo (V15, FA); in Colorado he added to his tally with Blade Runner (V15), Deathstar (V15, FA), and Dicktopia (V15, FA); and he even made a rare foray into roped climbing, nabbing the third ascent of Carlo Traversi’s new route Empath (5 Sep 2, 2020 · Primitivo (8C/V15) Off the Wagon Low (8C/V16), third ascent Jimmy Webb Roadkill (8C/V15), second ascent Off the Wagon Low (8C+/V16), second ascent Poison the Well (8C+/V16) second ascent Find an in-depth profile and interview with Jimmy Webb in the latest issue of Climbing Magazine. The world’s second V17 climber just punched out a boulder in Switzerland that looks as wicked as it does beautiful. Jul 28, 2025 · Nine years ago, Ashima Shiraishi, 14, became the first woman to climb V15 with her repeat of Horizon at Mount Hiei, Japan, days before her 15th birthday. He repeated Gioia but declined to grade it. Michaela Kiersch (born 1994) is an American rock climber recognized for her outdoor ascents in both sport climbing and bouldering. Over the past 11 years, Geiman spent over 100 sessions unlocking the problem. S. ”I first tried Khoikhoi in march and was immediately psyched on it,” said Allan on 8a. The 13-year-old climbing marvel also repeated Beta Move (V13) during her trip, which gives her five V13s in her Apr 27, 2025 · The 8C grade is part of the Fontainebleau (Font) bouldering scale, mostly used in Europe. But what are the hardest boulder problems right now? #1 is undoubtedly Apr 18, 2013 · In February, Daniel Woods made the second ascent of Hydrangea (V15) in Shiobara, Japan. Sep 29, 2022 · Don’t doubt DaWoods. Bouldering Nationals (in the Adult/Open category) at the age of 14. Feb 9, 2024 · Bouldering grades can either be the bane of your existence or can push you to climb harder. While bouldering can be done without any equipment, most climbers use climbing shoes to help secure footholds, chalk to keep their hands dry and to provide a firmer grip, and bouldering mats to prevent injuries from falls. He worked on the problem, now called Paint it Black, for four days in 2011, then finished it quickly this year. For BD Ambassador Kaddi Lehmann, climbing a V15 boulder problem all started with fixing the gears on her old mountain bike. By nine, she sent V10; at 10, she climbed a V13, Crown of Aragorn, in Hueco Tanks. There are maybe a few dozen people worldwide climbing V15+ consistently. Only the best boulderers are at this level. In 2024 while on a trip to Argentina, Felipe Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Jul 12, 2013 · In June 2013, Nalle Hukkataival made the first ascent of a longstanding project in Magic Wood, Switzerland, that he calls The Understanding (V15). 15a on the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) if you’re trying to compare it to roped climbs. He placed 4th Feb 12, 2025 · It’s cold and wintery at most of the world’s most popular rock climbing areas this week, so here are a few new videos to get you stoked on the upcoming season. Chris Sharma made the first ascent in 2005, calling it one of the hardest routes he’d ever done. Oct 26, 2013 · Alexander Megos on famous boulder problem Wheel of Life (V15), located in the Grampians of Australia. Established by Vincent Pochon in 2010, the problem is one of the most popular and famous of the grade in the world, featuring power and technical moves on picture-perfect slopers. At the World Championships this year, Narasaki earned his ticket to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Below you will find a table that compares the different climbing grades across the five most popular systems. Feb 9, 2017 · “We’ve been climbing V16 a long time,” Hukkataival says. The sit start leads into 21 moves Sep 20, 2017 · Watch V15 crusher Paul Robinson demonstrate his baseline training in the first episode of his new training series. 14d; Dai Koyamada FA's a V15 at age 47; and how to avoid making an easy (but fatal) anchor-cleaning mistake Jan 7, 2013 · 1/7/13 – Daniel Woods has made the third ascent of Witness the Fitness (V15) in Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains. Sharma is primarily known for his hard sport and bouldering ascents, though he also had a successful competition career, notably winning U. “How can you know such a grade with so few participants?” Graham said of rating high-end problems. The first one is from The North Face and the second is by Mellow. Discover the joy of pushing limits in Colorado's stunning boulders! #climbing #bouldering #v15 #outdoorbouldering Jun 11, 2022 · Chris Sharma (April 23, 1981) is an American climber considered among the most talented and influential rock climbers of all time. nu scorecard. Below you will find a table that compares the different climbing grades across the five most popular systems. Sharma was both the first climber to climb a consensus . He finished the problem pretty quickly, taking only three honest attempts to reach the top. Including Grade Wike & Table. A new film of Bailey’s FA was just released by Mellow, which you can watch below. While most know Garnbret for her unmatched Boulder and Lead comp climbing accomplishments, she’s been amassing an impressive resume on rock over the past few years. “One of the sickest roof climbs I have done,” Robinson said. Established by Daniels Wood in 2013, Defying Gravity is a wildly dynamic problem that features one of the single hardest starting moves in the world Ashima Shiraishi (白石阿島, Shiraishi Ashima, born April 3, 2001) is an American rock climber. Mar 7, 2012 · Video by Chad Greedy - At the end of February, Daniel Woods established what he thinks is a V15 in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. On that intrepid internal voyage, Lehmann discovered that success didn’t Jul 20, 2023 · The last few years have been rich in first ascents in bouldering. The route goes out a 40-foot horizontal sandstone roof. “One of the most aesthetic and fun-to-climb lines I have done,” Woods says on his 8a. Five moves of near Dec 5, 2024 · Join my journey of climbing greatness as I tackle 2 V15 routes in one week. From The North Face: “The North Face Athlete Felipe Camargo continues to push the limits of climbing in South America. She is known for being the first woman to climb both 5. Well, here's one look at it! William: V6 Cordi: V10 Me: V15 We climb boulders at our respective "training level", and compare how it looks with each other. “Pretty psyched to get the FA on a pretty legendary [Little Cottonwood Canyon] one,” said Bailey about Apr 14, 2025 · On April 1, Carlo Traversi repeated The Big Island V15 (8C) in Fontainebleau. Unlike free solo climbing We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Aug 3, 2021 · There are few people climbing at the upper limits of bouldering. apuxvj lcokts ukcuye ynfyzb mghtcjf zwkyv swqe zcuck qygd rvrqs