Strong Finishes, New Milestones and a Season in Motion
This edition feels like a bridge between seasons. Outdoor form is sharpening, major benchmark boulders are falling, national titles are being decided, and the wider climbing world keeps shifting through awards, retirements, and safety reminders. The result is a week full of movement — not just upward, but forward.
Big Sends, Big Goodbyes, Big Signals
This week's highlights cut across the full spectrum of climbing. Oriane Bertone kept her Fontainebleau momentum rolling, Brooke Raboutou's historic year earned formal recognition, Hamish McArthur closed the door on an elite comp career, and a serious gear recall reminded everyone that progress and responsibility go hand in hand. Add new German national champions to the mix, and this edition lands right at the intersection of performance, legacy, and transition.
Oriane Bertone Sends Lazarus V13/8B FFA in Fontainebleau
Quick work on one of her favourite boulders of the forest. First heard of it in 2021 but couldn't finish it — this year she came back and made it happen before the season heats up.
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Brooke Raboutou Wins 2025 Golden Piton for First 5.15c by a Woman
Brooke Raboutou is one of three recipients of a 2025 Golden Piton for becoming the first woman to climb 5.15c with her ascent of Excalibur. She spoke with Beth Rodden about the tensions and personal meaning behind the historic climb.
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Hamish McArthur Retires From Competition Climbing
On the international circuit since 2016, McArthur competed 67 times for GB Climbing. Youth World Champion in Boulder and Lead in 2021, World Championship bronze, Olympic finalist at Paris 2024. A decade well spent.
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Safety Recall: OCUN CONDOR HMS Triple Carabiners — Stop Using Immediately
OCUN have announced a recall of certain batches of CONDOR HMS Triple (03550) carabiners and related belay sets due to a potential locking mechanism issue. Stop using any affected products and contact UIAA for return and replacement.
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Dörffel and Bloem Win German Bouldering Championship Titles
Lucia Dörffel and Thorben Perry Bloem secured the German Championship titles in bouldering at Pfungstadt — all highlights, results and key moments from the championship.
Read article →Conditions, Classics and Career-Level Form
Outdoor season is clearly clicking into place. From Saxony to Bleau to Bavona and Patagonia, climbers are finding prime conditions and turning them into serious results on classic lines and long-term goals. What stands out is the variety: hard repeats, fresh first ascents, alpine milestones, and athletes carrying top form from the gym back onto real rock.
Adam Ondra Enjoying Sticky Conditions in Saxony
Enjoying sticky conditions in Saxony — Ondra takes advantage of prime spring conditions on the sandstone.
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Tomoa Narasaki Sends RADON V13 in Perfect Conditions
Tomoa Narasaki sends RADON V13 in perfect weather and conditions — a cool and classic boulder.
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Stefano Ghisolfi Sends The Story of 2 Worlds
Almost fell at the very end but somehow stayed on. Ghisolfi wanted to try The Story of 3 Worlds after this but was totally destroyed — delaying that project to next season.
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Stefano Ghisolfi Sends 4-Low 8C — His Third 8C of the Bavona Trip
Almost went down in a session on his second day. An amazing line in Bavona discovered by Giuliano Cameroni and first ascended by Daniel Woods — Ghisolfi's third 8C of the trip.
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First Rope-Solo Ascent of Riders on the Storm in Patagonia
Over 15 days of complete solitude on the East Face of Torre Central del Paine, Stefano completed the first rope-solo ascent of Riders on the Storm. Violent storms, frostbitten toes, a night hanging from the rope — and he kept climbing.
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Serg Murmiu Climbs Casino (8A+) in Tyrnyauz
A powerful and technical boulder in Tyrnyauz — Casino 8A+.
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First Highline in the Fitz Range, Patagonia
On 6 March 2026, a four-person team led by Lukas Irmler and Antonia Rüede-Passul completed the first highline ever established in the Fitz Roy Massif — at Aguja de la S.
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Jane Švecová First Ascent of Tokyo Drift (8C)
Jane Švecová has made a strong first ascent of Tokyo Drift (8C) — a line combining a steep overhang with extremely small holds.
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Oriane Bertone Climbs Two Fontainebleau V13s
The decorated French competition climber made quick work of both Lazarus V13 and L'Insoutenable Légèreté de l'être V13 in the same Font season.
Read article →Titles Won, Chapters Closed
Competition climbing delivered both celebration and reflection. National champions stepped onto the top spot, while one of Britain's strongest modern climbers officially stepped away from the circuit. It made for a section defined by contrast: new winners rising as one major career comes to a close.
Fresh Releases, New Tools and Real Warnings
Gear news this week split into two lanes: product evolution and safety accountability. New belay devices and digital training updates point toward convenience and broader usability, while the latest recall is a hard reminder that reliability matters more than hype. The message is clear: innovation only counts when trust comes with it.
Petzl Introduces the New GRIGRI+
Built with an innovative anti-panic handle and ASSIST+ mode for smooth top rope and lead belaying. Designed for climbers and belayers who know confidence is key.
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Kilter Board New App Now Supports Font Grades and V Grades
Nearly 30,000 people have already downloaded the new Kilter Board app. A key new feature: Font grades and V grades are now both available as grading options.
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UIAA Recall: OCUN CONDOR HMS Triple Carabiners
OCUN have announced a recall of certain batches of CONDOR HMS Triple (03550) carabiners due to a potential locking mechanism issue. Stop using affected products immediately.
Read article →Legacy Beyond the Scorecard
Outside pure results, the week brought perspective. Historic solos resurfaced, major outdoor achievements were formally honored, and inclusive development in para climbing continued to gain structure and momentum. This part of the sport keeps expanding — through storytelling, recognition, and the people shaping what climbing can become.
Alex Honnold's Early Free Solo of El Sendero Luminoso
Before El Cap and before Taipei 101, Honnold free soloed El Sendero Luminoso (5.12+), a coveted 1,500-foot climb in El Potrero Chico, Mexico — in just over three hours. A milestone in free solo climbing history.
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Katie Lamb Wins 2025 Golden Piton for First Woman to Climb V16
Katie Lamb is one of three 2025 Golden Piton recipients for becoming the first woman to climb V16 with The Dark Side last April. She discusses training, career, mental fortitude, and her current Yosemite project.
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USA Climbing Para Routesetting Clinic — April 15-17
A new Para Routesetting Clinic teaches setters how to design routes that are inclusive, challenging, and accessible to a range of Para Climbing sport classes. Led by World Climbing Para Head Routesetter Nohl Haeckel.
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Melloblocco Returns to Val di Mello — May 6–9
One of the biggest bouldering festivals on the scene, attracting thousands of climbers from more than 80 countries, returns to Val di Mello for its 19th edition.
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