Edition #8: Execution Over Hype | Climbers Delight

The Week in Six Moments

Six picks that define the tone of the week: a landmark bouldering line, a statement on versatility at the very top, a trad milestone, a fast-moving DACH news hit, a gear safety signal, and a comeback that resets expectations. This is the compact snapshot: one huge bouldering result, one reminder that style range matters, one trad barrier being broken, one regional story worth tracking, one safety item you should not ignore, and one competition win that proves resilience is a performance skill.

Gioia 8C+

This one means a lot to me. I tried it for the first time in 2012 when I sent the stand start, and focused on the full line between 2015 and 2016. For 10 years I haven't been back in Varazze and then this season I felt I was ready for it. It is the hardest boulder I've ever climbed.

@jakob.schubert

Shaolin 9A — Third V17 Boulder

Shaolin is short, explosive, and fully power-based — far from Jakob's comfort zone as the legendary lead beast. This send is a reminder of who Jakob truly is: an athlete who keeps pushing his own limits, redefining versatility.

Drifter's Escape 9a+ — World's Hardest Trad Route

Connor Herson has announced the first ascent of what may well be the hardest trad route in the world, Drifter's Escape, 9a+.

Yannick Flohé Boulders Bügeleisen Sit (8C) in Maltatal

Yannick Flohé boulders the legendary 8C+ boulder Bügeleisen Sit in the Maltatal valley, adding another legendary boulder to his tick list.

Read article →

Decathlon Recalls SIMOND Avalanche Probe

Sports retailer Decathlon is recalling its own brand SIMOND avalanche probes due to a safety defect.

Read article →

GrippedMagazine

Natalia Grossman Wins USA Boulder Nationals One Month After Shoulder Injury

After narrowly making it into the finals, Grossman flashed three problems to earn gold — just one month after dislocating her shoulder.

Read article →

@aidan.roberts98

Bugeleisen V14/8B+ — Flash

There are few better in the world! It's rare to find rock good enough for thin, incut crimps to be completely solid on a steep face. To flash felt like a pure challenge of execution. I had margin on each move, but not enough to make any mistakes.

Drifter's Escape FA — Proposed 5.15a Trad

Over the past two summers, I've had the gift of climbing on this beautiful panel of Squamish granite. FA of Drifter's Escape, proposed 5.15a, Summer 2025.

@mellowclimbing

Drifter's Escape — Director's Cut at Mellow Film Tour

Drifter's Escape — FA of the world's first trad 5.15a / 9a+ by BD Athlete Connor Herson. Get eyes on an exclusive Director's Cut at the Mellow film tour.

Insouciance — Process Update

This last move is the apotheosis of the project. When you're fresh, it doesn't feel that hard — but if you add a few moves before it, it feels absolutely stratospheric. Finishing a route like this with a move like that is the cherry on top.

Dumby Project — First Move Done

First move done on the Dumby project. Felt crazy how fast this came together from feeling like I had no chance, to actually sticking it 5 sessions later. Now just need to be able to do that move, then its on.

@jakob.schubert

Shaolin — The Hardest Single Move

The hardest single move on Shaolin. I couldn't stick it at the beginning — but improved day by day until it felt easy in isolation. Nothing beats the feeling of progress.

@mellowclimbing

Gio Placci on Erebor 9b/5.15b

Gio Placci tackles one of Italy's hardest sport routes: Erebor. Bolted and FA'd by Stefano Ghisolfi in 2021, this route is all about power-endurance, precision and flow.

@planetmountain

Petit Petò FA — Valle del Sarca

The climb is short but violent, as the name implies! Martin Giovanazzi, Elio Mazzalai, Sebastiano Merz and Mauro Zanon have made the first ascent of Petit Petò in Valle del Sarca, Arco, Italy.

Eva Hammelmüller Repeats WRC (9a) in Southern France

Austria's top climber Eva Hammelmüller repeats the 9a route WRC in southern France, making a strong statement in sport climbing.

Read article →

2026 USA Boulder National Champions

Hugo Hoyer and Natalia Grossman take gold, Cozmo Rothfork and Brooke Raboutou earn silver, Sergey Lakhno and Melina Costanza round out the podium in bronze.

The Palletiser 8B+/V14 FA — Torridon

New YouTube video from my first trip to Torridon, where I got the First Ascent of The Palletiser 8B+/V14. A super cool power bloc and repeated some other sick lines.

2026 Lead National Champion — Colin Duffy

The last time I competed at nationals was 2021. I'm very happy with my execution at this event! In the final my flow and decision making were as good as I can ever remember.

@petewhittaker01

Wide Boyz Win Doubles Competition at BlocHaus

We thought we had a bit of a chance, considering we've been a team for a long time and like alternative styles of climbing. Not sure we'll ever stand on the centre part of a comp podium ever again!

Oriane and Max Bertone Crowned French Bouldering Champions 2026

Oriane and Max Bertone are crowned French bouldering champions for 2026.

Read article →

Mountain Equipment GORE-TEX Pro Jacket Giveaway

UKClimbing and Mountain Equipment are giving away a Lhotse or Manaslu Next-Gen GORE-TEX Pro Jacket.

@climbingmagazine

Rappelling with a Grigri — Acceptable Setup

Belaying with a Grigri is standard practice, but rappelling with one? IFMGA mountain guide Silas Rossi demonstrates the only rappel setup using an assisted braking device that he considers acceptable.

Improve Lead Climbing with Fingerboard Exercises

A key factor for success in climbing is finger strength. Climbing on a rope involves a combination of maximum and endurance exertion. These fingerboard exercises can improve your performance on rock.

Read article →

Jimmy Webb — Injury Update and Dupuytren's Journey

My climbing life has been a difficult one for quite some time. Multiple injuries have left me feeling demoralized and exhausted. Currently dealing with gnarly Dupuytren's on my left hand pinky. Mid March I'm getting a xiaflex shot that should break down some of the nodules.

@thenorthface_climb

K2: Chasing Shadows — Benjamin Vedrines Documentary

For decades, the prevailing thought held that humans could not survive above 8000m without supplemental oxygen. In 2024, Benjamin Vedrines returned to K2 to fulfill the challenge that had come to define him.

@thenorthface_climb

K2: Chasing Shadows — Film Launch

The greater the dream, the greater the sacrifice. K2: Chasing Shadows follows Benjamin Vedrines' record-breaking ascent of the unforgiving peak, while reflecting on the often impossible expectations we set for ourselves.

@evolv_worldwide

Rock the Rock Vol. 2 — MJ-Inspired Dyno Comp

An MJ-inspired Dyno Comp powered by Red Bull at LBR. Zach Galla will be recreating some of his favorite outdoor climbs. Live music, free climbing, shoe demo, and raffles.

Between Philosophy and Performance — Interview with Alex Megos

Alexander Megos is one of the most successful sport climbers in the world. He represented Germany twice at the Olympics. In his biography he speaks openly about setbacks, eating disorders and the way out of performance pressure.

Read article →