Momentum, Milestones & New Chapters
This week brought major ascents, competition storylines, inspiring returns, and powerful reminders that climbing is about far more than grades alone. From alpine achievements to World Cup momentum, the sport continues to evolve in every direction. Some weeks are about records. Others are about journeys. This edition brings both.
Triumph, Legacy and Reflection
Some stories inspire. Others make us pause. This week brought historic achievements, long-awaited comebacks, and major milestones across the climbing world. Alongside the celebrations, climbers around the globe reflected on the loss of one of their own, reminding us that behind every ascent lies a shared passion for exploration, challenge, and life in the mountains.
Janja Garnbret Launches Her YouTube Channel
"WELCOME TO MY WORLD!!" Janja's first YouTube episode is live — a new chapter for one of climbing's biggest names.
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Black Diamond Sounds the Alarm on the Roadless Rule
An unexpected legislative attack on the Roadless Rule (which protects 60M acres of national forest) is heading to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Black Diamond urges climbers to call senators urgently.
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UKClimbing's Top 10 User-Voted Photos
This week's user-voted Top 10 Climbing & Mountaineering Photos include leaving the penthouse, the final abseil from the Old Man of Hoy, and Nick leading Samson Arête for the win.
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Nathaniel Coleman Returns to Competition After Two Years
Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Nathaniel Coleman is back on the wall after more than two years away — and if his words are anything to go by, he's got unfinished business.
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Lara Neumeier Completes the Alpine Trilogy
Lara Neumeier climbed Des Kaisers Neue Kleider, 8b+, joining an elite group of just eleven climbers to have completed the Alpine Trilogy.
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Yemeni Free Soloist Antar al-Abssi Dies in Volcanic Crater Fall
Antar al-Abssi, known as the Yemeni Spider Man, died after falling into the Hardah Dam volcanic crater while free soloing — a climb he had completed many times before.
Read article →From Bibliographie to the High Alps
The climbing world delivered on every front this week. Janja Garnbret stunned the community with a one-take send of Bibliographie (9b+), Daniel Woods added another alpine testpiece to his resume, and Stefano Ghisolfi continued his remarkable run of hard sends. Meanwhile, Lara Neumeier's completion of the Alpine Trilogy reminded us that some achievements are measured not only in grades, but in commitment, endurance, and vision.
Janja Garnbret One-Takes Bibliographie 9b+
One take. Janja sending Bibliographie (9b+).
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Daniel Woods Sends Ego Death V15 — A High-Altitude Alpine Send
A 45-degree overhung arete at 12k feet. Original V15, felt more V14 to Woods. Solo with limited pads and a serious topout, he locked in and trusted his ability. "I felt the power of the alpine and it gave me power back!"
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Stefano Ghisolfi Flashes Permanent Midnight 8A+
Permanent Midnight 8A+ flashed — thanks to Jules Marchaland, Zane Wells, and Gaga Lozzia for the beta and session.
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Seb Bouin Sends El Gran Cabrón (9b/5.15b) in China
Bouin caps off his trip to China with El Gran Cabrón — "incredibly complex climbing, with so many methods to figure out. The rock and movement style are absolutely beautiful — pinches and really physical moves."
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Seb Bouin's Les Plumes de Calcaire — A Send Poem
A poetic reflection from Seb Bouin on his Les Plumes de Calcaire first ascent: the fleeting sweetness, the floating state, the rough limestone, and the importance of breathing when the feathers appear.
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The Hardest Boulder in Ireland? Aidan Roberts and Team Tackle Fairhead
Wedge Climbing follows Aidan Roberts, Keenan Takahashi, Katie Lamb, Dan Varian and David Fitzgerald on a possible 9A project at Fairhead, Northern Ireland.
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Stefano Ghisolfi Sends The Ratstaman Vibrations 9b — His 12th 9b
After ticking some of the hardest boulders in Switzerland in the spring, Ghisolfi ticks his twelfth 9b — Chris Sharma's The Ratstaman Vibrations in Céüse.
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Katie Lamb Sends Seven V14/15 in Squamish
The first woman to climb V16 sends Lucas Uchida's Seven V14/15 in the Grand Wall Boulders of Squamish.
Read article →New Champions, Familiar Dominance
The World Cup season keeps producing compelling storylines. Annie Sanders delivered one of the strongest weekends of her career with victories across disciplines, Sorato Anraku continued his incredible winning streak, and Innsbruck once again proved why it remains one of the sport's most important stages. Off the wall, the return of Olympic silver medallist Nathaniel Coleman added another exciting chapter to the season.
Oriane Bertone: 11th in Prague, Eyes on Innsbruck
A strange comp where Bertone felt great each round but no mistakes were allowed. Time for rest, an MRI for the shoulder, and back to training. New partnership with Kailas begins. See you in Austria.
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Annie Sanders Takes Boulder Gold in Prague — Decided by W1
In a final decided by the finest of margins, Sanders found the one solution nobody else could on W1. Her top remained unmatched throughout the final — first Boulder gold of the season.
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Sorato Anraku: Fourth Consecutive Boulder Gold
In a tightly contested final with few tops on offer, Anraku made the difference with a flash on M3 — securing his fourth consecutive Boulder gold medal.
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Annie Sanders Takes Lead Gold in Prague Too — Boulder/Lead Double
Different wall, same medal. Sanders becomes only the third woman in history to win gold in both Boulder and Lead at the same World Climbing Series event.
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World Climbing Para Series Innsbruck Through the Lens
Para Series Innsbruck through the photography of Dimitris Tosidis.
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Janja Skipping Boulder Round in Innsbruck — Eyes 50th Gold
Sitting on 49 career gold medals, Janja Garnbret is hunting her 50th in Innsbruck — and will opt out of the boulder round to focus on Lead. Coming this weekend, or the next?
View post →Record Fields and Strong Performances in Innsbruck Para Qualifications
Qualification rounds at the World Climbing Para Series Innsbruck 2026 closed on Monday, June 15, with finalists decided across the B, AL, AU, and RP sport classes.
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Leonardo Donola Crowned European Boulder Champion
Leonardo Donola becomes European Champion at the Youth European Boulder Championship in Sukoró. Giovanni Bagnoli and Pietro Franzoni win the European Cup circuit.
Read article →World Climbing Europe Series Zakopane 2026 Speed Results
The Europe Series Zakopane 2026 wraps with Speed Climbing results published by World Climbing.
Read article →The Bigger Picture of Climbing
Beyond competitions and grades, this week highlighted the many ways climbing continues to grow. Janja launched a new chapter through her YouTube channel, Seb Bouin showcased the extraordinary potential of China's climbing scene, and conversations around conservation and access reminded us that protecting climbing landscapes remains just as important as exploring them. At the same time, the community reflected on both inspiration and tragedy through stories from around the world.
Alex Honnold Sneaks Up Camelback Mountain in Phoenix
After a Phoenix speaking event, Honnold snuck up Camelback Mountain. "It really exceeded expectations!! I love little bits of nature inside a city."
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Seb Bouin's El Gran Cabrón Film Out Now
More than a hardest-route film — a journey through China's culture, landscapes, and incredible caves. "I honestly don't know how you could watch this without having your mind blown by all the rock and endless climbing possibilities."
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Tommy Caldwell and Cody Townsend's 8-Day Sierra 14er Mission
An 8-day push to ski and climb every 14er in the Sierra in a single mission. "My pain is a 7 out of 10. I've cried three times today." Read the latest Routefinding newsletter for the full sideways adventure.
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Friday Night Video — The Bells, The Bells at 74
"Rage, rage against the dying of the light." UKClimbing's Friday Night Video: Part 4 of The Bells, The Bells — climbing E7/8 at age 74. Just get it done.
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Tenaya — Where Rock Meets Water
Just you, the rock, and the confidence to commit. Flow, fall, try again.
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