Edition #28: History Remembered. New Legends Written. | Climbers Delight

The Stories Defining This Week

This edition brings together some of the biggest talking points in climbing. Shawn Raboutou floats through another world-class boulder in Japan, while the 25th anniversary of Chris Sharma's legendary Biographie (Realization) reminds us of one of the sport's defining moments. Competition shifts to Barcelona for the European Championships, Fontainebleau faces devastating wildfire damage, and a controversial legal case on Makalu raises difficult questions about responsibility in high-altitude mountaineering.

Shawn Raboutou Floats V15/16 in Mizugaki, Japan

"Doesn't get much better than this." Raboutou floats a V15/16 in Mizugaki — felt more like V15 to him, especially since he did it on the first day of the trip.

25 Years of Realization / Biographie — Reel Rock Restores the Footage

25 years ago Chris Sharma made the first ascent of Realization (Biographie), the world's first consensus 5.15 (9a+). Reel Rock recaptured and restored the original miniDV tapes — including never-before-seen moments and the full send burn in one real-time shot.

European Championships Kick Off in Barcelona

"European Championships 2026 just started." Max Milne through the first round under a scorching sun, with semis and finals to come — homies present and the vibes high.

@austriaclimbing

Jakoba Rauter Wins Overall Boulder European Cup — In Her Rookie Senior Season

In her first senior season, Jakoba Rauter claims the 2026 Boulder European Cup Overall title. "I never thought I would win the overall title in my first senior season. It shows that consistency really pays off."

@climbingmagazine

Makalu Client Accuses His Guide of Attempted Murder

For the first time, a mountaineering client is publicly accusing his own guide of attempted murder. Konstantin Smirnov says his guide abandoned him on the Makalu descent; he fell into a coma, spent the night at 7,720m, and later had six fingers amputated. The company calls the claims "completely fake."

Afraa Mohammad Debuts for the World Climbing Refugee Team

Afraa Mohammad, the first member of the World Climbing refugee team, competed in her first competition at the European Boulder event in Barcelona.

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FFME Statement on the Fontainebleau Wildfires

The FFME expresses deep concern over the wildfires affecting the Fontainebleau forest — a natural, sporting, and cultural heritage of inestimable value now under threat.

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Progress Never Stands Still

Whether it's Adam Ondra flashing four 8Bs in a single day, Alexander Megos dispatching another Australian 9a, or Seb Bouin quietly stacking difficult routes before his next major project, this week's ascents showcase athletes operating at an astonishing level. Alongside them, Shawn Raboutou's effortless V15/16 in Mizugaki and the celebration of Chris Sharma's revolutionary Biographie remind us that today's climbing continues to build on the achievements that changed the sport forever.

Adam Ondra Flashes Four 8Bs in a Day at Val Daone

A no-fall day at Val Daone: Sky Dive 8A, Skiantos 8B, Verdena 8B, Fuori Tempo 8B, and Il Trono 8B — all flashed. Il Trono is a true kingline and an absolute masterpiece by Valdo Chilese.

@alexandermegos

Alex Megos Sends Baby Cakes 9a at Nowra

Steep, pumpy, and a campus crux — Nowra at its finest. Baby Cakes 35 (9a), plus Big Cheese 34 (8c+) on the same day with the full campus beta.

Seb Bouin Stacks Grenoble Sends Before His Big Project

Stopping by the French climbing capital before cooler temps: Raide de Toit 8c+, Un été en pente douce 8b+ FA, and Le Kalahari. Amazing to have somewhere to climb hard mid-summer. Now it's time to focus on a big project.

Stefano Ghisolfi's Monster Ticklist from Fionnay, Gottardo and Sustenpass

A month of Swiss bouldering: P.I.G. 8C FA, Big Snapper 8C, Quiet Storm 8B+, Highlander 8B+, Permanent Midnight 8A+ flash, Derniere Essai 8A+ FA, Rosa Canina 8A FA and more.

@evolv_worldwide

Leo Ketil Bøe on Witchhammer (8c+/9a)

Leo Ketil Bøe climbing Witchhammer, graded 8c+/9a.

Shauna Coxsey Boulders 8B+ at the Gotthard Pass

Former World Cup athlete Shauna Coxsey adds the fourth ascent of Quiet Storm (8B+) at the Gotthard Pass, Switzerland, to her ticklist.

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Mejdi Schalck's Countdown to the European Champs

Camera roll from the past few weeks — European Champs D-3 in Spain.

Max Milne Is the European Boulder Champion

Max Milne takes gold at the Europe Championship in Barcelona with 74.8 points, topping three of four final boulders — the only climber to top boulder two, and 20.1 points clear of Hannes Van Duysen. Toby Roberts returns in 16th.

@jakob.schubert

Jakob Schubert's Finals Streak Ends in Chamonix

9th place and out of the finals for the first time since 2019. After winning qualification with two tops, a terrible foot slip in the semis ended Schubert's climb one move short. "It hurts, but moments like these are part of the journey."

@austriaclimbing

Anika Deubler Wins U19 Lead World Championship in Arco

Anika Deubler claims the U19 Lead World Championship title in Arco after an outstanding performance. Christian Leitner finishes sixth in the U19 men's event.

Andrew Gutteridge Takes GBR's First-Ever Senior Speed Medal

Andrew Gutteridge takes Great Britain's first-ever senior speed medal — bronze — and a new men's British record of 5.02 seconds in Barcelona. Ava Grace Hamilton also smashed the women's British record at 7.42.

The Famous Fall That Inspired Edelrid's Cut-Resistant Ropes

Perhaps the most famous climbing fall on social media inspired Edelrid to solve rope cut resistance. A breakdown of the PROTECT series — from Starling Protect half ropes for trad to Swift Protect and Eagle Light Protect for sport.

Edelrid Puts a New Rope Design to a Community Vote

Two exclusive limited-edition rope designs launching in 2027 — Edelrid asks the community to vote on which one to bring to life. Voting runs until July 27.

Beyond the Summit

Climbing's biggest conversations this week reached far beyond the rock. The devastating wildfires threatening Fontainebleau remind us how fragile our most iconic climbing areas truly are, while the allegations surrounding an expedition on Makalu spark uncomfortable discussions about ethics, trust and responsibility in the mountains. At the same time, stories from Alex Honnold, Janja Garnbret and a remarkable new alpine route in the Karakoram celebrate the adventure, resilience and imagination that continue to define our sport.

@thenorthface_climb

Inside the Brain of Alex Honnold

Not a POV — a front-row seat inside the brain of Alex Honnold.

@tensionclimbing

Board Lords Returns — Episode 10 with Daniel Woods

Board Lords returns for Episode 10 on Friday July 24, with Daniel Woods, DV Fitzgerald, and Matt Fultz.

@janja_garnbret

Janja Garnbret: From Season-Start Disappointment to Her 50th Win

A new episode covering all the emotions — from frustration and disappointment to her 50th World Cup win. "Not every day goes your way, and that's exactly why the good ones mean so much more."

Honnold Deep Water Soloing at Low Tide in Oman

Jimmy Chin captures Alex Honnold deep water soloing — at low tide — in Musandam, Oman. Mark Synnott decided not to go. Shot on assignment for National Geographic.

Stefano Ghisolfi's List of Boulders He Didn't Send

A refreshingly honest list — the boulders Ghisolfi tried but couldn't send in Fionnay, Susten and Gottardo, with an excuse for each: Permanent Midnight Low 8C+ (too hot), Solitary Daze 8C (tried too little), Child of Hell 8C (too high), and more.

@lasportivagram

The Leopard of Higher Ground — A New Karakoram Big Wall

After 45 days in the Karakoram and 15 on the wall, Siebe Vanhee, Symon Welfringer and Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll completed a new 1,500m route on the unclimbed west face of Tahu Rutum (6,651m) — blending big wall, free, alpine, and high-altitude climbing.

Châteaudouble Climbing Site Reopens After Three Years

The natural climbing site of Châteaudouble is accessible to climbers again after a three-year ban — the culmination of a long legal effort by the FFME and local representatives.

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Fontainebleau Wildfire Destroys Nearly 2,000 Hectares

A devastating forest fire has destroyed about a fifth of the Fontainebleau forest. Around 1,000 people were evacuated, and the world-famous bouldering area remains closed indefinitely. Authorities have not ruled out arson.

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