Pressure, Progress & The Stories Behind the Sends
From groundbreaking ascents and World Cup drama to community debates and climbing legends, this week captures a sport constantly pushing forward. Whether it's a proposed 9A+ boulder, a breakthrough on Silence, or conversations shaping climbing culture, the headlines remind us that progress comes in many forms.
The Stories Everyone Was Talking About
A handful of moments rose above the noise this week. Historic achievements, major competition results, industry-wide discussions, and stories that resonated across the global climbing community all earned a place in the spotlight.
Patagonia Updates on the Pattie Gonia Lawsuit
Patagonia acknowledges the hurt the trademark lawsuit has caused, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, and reiterates its conditions for resolution: withdraw trademark applications, stop using Patagonia logos, stop selling apparel as Pattie Gonia.
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Anraku Makes It Three Men's Boulder Golds in a Row
Sorato Anraku claims his third consecutive Boulder gold at the World Climbing Series Comunidad de Madrid 2026 in Alcobendas, Spain — extending his perfect start to the season.
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Will Bosi Sends the Silence Crux 8C+/V16
After around 20 sessions over 2 trips, Bosi finally sent the crux boulder of Silence — one of the hardest boulders of his life. It's just one part of the route, but the full line now feels possible.
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Exodia — The World's First Proposed 9A+ Film Out Now
Four and a half years and 200+ sessions under one boulder. Elias Iagnemma reflects: "I'm not saying it's the hardest boulder in the world. I'm saying it's the hardest thing I've ever done." The full La Sportiva film is now live.
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Remains of Cerro Torre Pioneer Mario Conti Found
The remains of Mario Conti, missing since November 14, 2023, were found yesterday morning. Conti was renowned for the first undisputed ascent of Cerro Torre in 1974 with Daniele Chiappa, Casimiro Ferrari, and Pino Negri.
View post →Pushing the Limits of Possibility
The ceiling keeps moving. From William Bosi's breakthrough on the Silence crux to the first proposed 9A+ boulder and impressive first ascents on both rock and plastic, this week's sends showcase climbers operating at the very edge of what's currently imaginable.
Exodia — Backstory of the World's First Proposed 9A+ Boulder
Originally bolted by Christian Core, the project sat untouched for years. In June 2021, Elias Iagnemma picked it up — and over 200 sessions later, the world has its first 9A+.
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Seb Bouin First Ascent of Les Plumes de Calcaire (9a+) at Pic Saint-Loup
After years of developing hard routes at Pic Saint-Loup, Bouin opens a new line: an 8a-style intro, a 7c+ boulder, a rest, an 8a boulder section on pinches, and a 4-move 7b+ boulder. This is just the first pitch — a 9a continuation looms above.
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Titouan Josserand's FA of Goloso V12 — Going Huge
Titouan Josserand sends the first ascent of Goloso V12 — a massive dyno boulder.
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How Katie Lamb Sent 130 BPM V15 With a Beginner's Mind
To establish 130 BPM, the 28-year-old stepped away from the "over-engineered" nature of modern bouldering and trusted her instincts.
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Dani Arnold Tops Greenspit, 12m Horizontal Roof Crack
Dani Arnold tops out Greenspit (8b+) in Valle dell'Orco — a 12-meter horizontal roof crack and one of Europe's most iconic pure trad lines. A clean, precise effort on a line that forgives nothing.
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Yellow Sun (5.14d) — Second American Woman to FA a 9a
Tension Climbing interviews @oogier about her first ascent of Yellow Sun, Colorado's newest 5.14d, and her process of becoming only the second American woman in history to first-ascent a 9a route.
View post →Gold Medals, Records & Momentum
The international competition season continues to accelerate. World Cup contenders are building momentum, records are falling, and familiar names keep raising the standard. Whether on boulders or speed walls, athletes are proving that consistency is every bit as impressive as peak performance.
Hunt and Chu Close World Climbing Series Madrid With Speed Gold
The World Climbing Series Comunidad de Madrid 2026 concluded in Alcobendas with Emma Hunt (USA) and Chu Shouhong (China) taking the Speed gold medals on the final day.
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Sorato Anraku Wins 20th Boulder World Series in Madrid
Gold at the 20th Boulder World Series in Spain. The semifinal was tough, but Anraku climbed more aggressively in the final because of it. Next up: Prague.
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Pedro Egg Sets New Brazilian Speed Record — 5.80s
Pedro Egg clocked 5.80 seconds in Madrid, beating his own Brazilian national speed record of 5.91 seconds.
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Emma Hunt Lowers Pan American Speed Record to 6.08s
Hunt took gold and lowered the Pan American speed record multiple times in Madrid — now standing at 6.08 seconds.
View post →More Than Equipment
Gear is rarely just gear. This week's stories explore the infrastructure that keeps climbing safe and sustainable — from the challenge of replacing aging bolts at seaside crags to the growing demand for environmentally responsible manufacturing across the industry.
Why Do Seaside Crags Still Have So Many Bad Bolts?
From Greece to Thailand, steel bolts are failing due to saltwater corrosion. Replacing them with titanium is complicated by cost and scale — but the hidden danger at beach crags isn't going away.
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Edelrid on Sustainability in Climbing Gear
How important is sustainability when choosing your gear? From ropes to hardware, responsible manufacturing can make a real difference — Edelrid's new film makes the case.
View post →The Bigger Picture
Not every important story happens on a project or podium. This week brings reflections on family, legacy, film, community, conservation, and the people shaping climbing culture. These stories remind us why climbing continues to mean so much beyond grades and results.
Alex Honnold's Peak Parenting Moment — Climbing With His 4-Year-Old
Honnold takes his 4-year-old climbing with help from a 10-year-old assistant guide on Knapsack Crack (3 pitch, 5.5) on Hogsback. The perfect introduction — and hopefully the start of many adventures.
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Petzl Welcomes Yuji Hirayama to the Team
From World Cups to big walls and the traditional art of Sawanobori (waterfall climbing), Yuji Hirayama has spent his life pushing the boundaries. Petzl welcomes him to the team.
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Tommy Caldwell on Sony Alpha Films' Good Luck, Kid
A new film by Renan Ozturk tells the story behind the Honnold/Caldwell Devil's Climb adventure through the lens of Taylor Shaffer, the team's youngest member. Now streaming on the Alpha Universe YouTube channel.
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Petzl Frankenjura Climbing Festival — June 4-7, 2026
The festival returns with workshops, gear demos, athlete talks, yoga, and live music. Climb or just hang out — Petzl welcomes the community to Frankenjura.
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Reel Rock — Dean Potter's El Cap Speed Solo
Dean Potter, The Dark Wizard, laying it all out on El Cap with his speed solo. Speed partner Timmy O'Neill provides the comic relief. Filmed by the legendary Eric Perlman.
View post →Ines Papert FA in Norway — Fleeting Glory (M7+ WI6+)
The first ascent of Fleeting Glory (750m, M7+, WI6+) on the south face of Hovsnebba at Sunndalsøra in Norway, by Ines Papert and Torje Stenkjær on 15 February 2026.
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