V16 boulder grade. Bouldering Grade Systems Bouldering grade systems are a .

V16 boulder grade. Dec 30, 2024 · In November 2011, when he was only 18 years old, Adam Ondra made the first ascent of his first-ever V16 (8C+), Terranova. So when Lamb made the fourth ascent of Box Therapy, the climbing community naturally showered her with praise, both for the singular achievement of climbing an extremely hard boulder, but also for becoming the first Learn about climbing and bouldering ratings, including how route difficulty is measured and the difference between a rating and a grade. Understand bouldering, sport, and trad climbing grades for accurate conversions. Feb 9, 2024 · Bouldering grades can either be the bane of your existence or can push you to climb harder. The first and confirmed V16, was Hypnotized Minds in Colorado, climbed by Daniel Woods in 2010. Return of the Sleepwalker adds a seven-move V13 sit-start onto Sleepwalker (V16), first climbed by Jimmy Webb in 2018. It was first tried 20 years ago by Chris Sharma and Dave Graham. ” About his downgrade, Waller said on Reddit, “I did the boulder in four sessions and found beta which changes the intro of the boulder from hard V14 into V13. First climbed by Daniel Woods in 2015, the gigantic problem is located on the famous Grandpa Peabody boulder to the right of Lucid Dreaming V15 and Devilution V16. Because the Mar 18, 2025 · Matt Fultz, 33, has climbed Nathan Philips’ Deep Fake V16 in Brione, Switzerland, for his ninth boulder of the grade. For more info on hard bouldering visit 99boulders. Indeed, as there are many climbing styles, many grading systems have emerged throughout climbing history to cover the different types of movement and technologies climbers use to ascend varied terrains like rock, ice, and snow. Rock climbing grades are a means of estimating the difficulty of a climb. Aug 3, 2021 · Woods and Graham both rated Creature V16, making it just one of a few repeated boulder problems at the grade. Apr 30, 2025 · Katie Lamb -- One of the strongest boulderers in the world, and first woman to successfully scale the grade V16 The Dark Side boulder in Yosemite (March 2025) / Photo by Eric Bissell Yosemite How to Use the Bouldering Grades Comparison Table: To use this table, simply find the grade you wish to convert and click on it or follow the row to see equivalent grades in the other system. KAYA recently updated its Squamish bouldering digital guidebook for The Katie Lamb makes the firts ascent to the imposing Box Therapy and also its the first boulder grade v16 climbing by a woman#KatieLamb Sep 13, 2023 · What are bouldering grades and how do they work? This informational post explains the meaning of bouldering grades and their determination process. Reaching a performance grade like V16 takes a huge amount of work. e. Apr 4, 2025 · Matt Fultz, 33, has climbed Nathan Philips’ Deep Fake V16 in Brione, Switzerland, for his ninth boulder of the grade. Mar 17, 2023 · Tips for V1 – V2 Boulder Progression Here are some tips for those struggling to get past the beginner grades. Climbs like “Sleepwalker” in Red Rocks You may be visiting different gyms in your area or have tried outdoor climbs and noticed that the grades aren’t as black and white as they seem on paper. Apr 30, 2025 · Katie Lamb recently made the first female ascent of The Dark Side V16 (8C+) in Yosemite National Park. The problem is the sit start to Fake Pamplemousse. Today we will look at the world’s most challenging boulder problems and the differences between them. Sep 5, 2023 · What does it take to send one of the world's hardest boulder problems? Just ask Katie Lamb, one of the brightest lights in the fast-growing discipline. About this Bouldering Grades table: This is a bouldering climbing grade conversion chart. Shawn Raboutou climbed the low start at V16, the first problem at the grade in the country. Webb was the men's winner of the 2013 Psicobloc Masters Series held in Park City, Utah. Of course, any one boulder can benefit certain climbing strengths, but that's also why even the best boulderers haven't sent every boulder which is submaximal in grade to them. You can’t pick the “best boulderer” in the world (names like Drew Ruana, Fred Nicole, Adam Ondra, Jimmy Webb, Christian Core, Paul Robinson, Ryuichi Murai, Griffin Whiteside, James Bouldering Grades Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses. The sit start variation of this climb adds in six moves of V13/8B climbing into the already established V16/8C+ boulder. Hinzu kommt noch eine extra Fb-Traversen-Skala für Boulder-Quergänge. In 2011, Adam Ondra completed the first ascent of Terranova, suggesting a rating of 8c+/V16. ” This boulder grade would later be upgraded to a V15, making this climb even more significant for Jimmy. So sick. Few recreational climbers will reach V8. It’s the third problem of the grade for the 27-year-old American. This bouldering grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from Hueco to French and back to Jul 16, 2025 · Bouldering grades are a common language that represents the difficulty of a boulder problem. "creature from the black lagoon" might be there - it has had a few repeats now Mar 7, 2025 · This isn’t Lamb’s first brush with the V16 grade. ‘No Kpote Only’ is not the classic hard climb or boulder story we all got used to reading about. On two days I felt like I had given it a V15 effort—I gave it everything—and still fell. With close proximity to Boulder, Golden, and other front-range cities, Eldorado Canyon is most famous for its classic and accessible multi-pitch trad climbs. The World’s Hardest Boulder Problem Based solely on grade, the title of world’s hardest boulder problem is currently shared by two problems: Burden of Dreams and Return of the Sleepwalker. Katie Lamb has made the fourth ascent, and first female ascent, of The Dark Side (V16), at Camp 4 Boulders, Yosemite, USA. The only other climb to receive the 9A/V17 grade is Natte Hukkataival's unrepeated Burden of Dreams in Finland. Daniel Woods made a longer version of the route in 2021 by adding up to 7 more moves and grading the new route to V17/9a. I mean i'm in no doubt that the climbing of these problems are amazing achievements but are they boulder problems and can they justify a V grade. The higher the climbing grade, the more difficult the route will be. But why does it deserve a V16 grade? “I was originally thinking the boulder would probably be V15,” said Lawson. Feb 26, 2024 · THE WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP: Austin Purdy breaks into the V16 grade; Canada's hardest-graded boulder sees a second ascent; Drew Ruana continues crushing Colorado; and Elnaz Rekabi competes for the first time since doing so without a headscarf last year. However, it doesn’t carry the legendary documented stories of tries, fails, ascends, and repeats. This boulder is a story of a legendary, local, Fontainebleau climber and phenomenon, and another great example of Nestled in Val Bavona, in the region of Ticino, lies one of Europe’s most iconic boulders, Off the Wagon. [2][3][4] Dec 25, 2019 · The V16 boulder problem had its first ascent in December of 2018 by Jimmy Webb. Jun 5, 2023 · What Are Bouldering Grades? Similar to any type of climbing, bouldering is graded with a series of numbers and letters. So when Lamb made the fourth ascent of Box Therapy, the climbing community naturally showered her with praise, both for the singular achievement of climbing an extremely hard boulder, but also for becoming the first May 1, 2025 · The boulder, which was previously completed by three men—Daniel Woods, Drew Ruana, and Sean Bailey—was considered to be a V16. Sherman sought to create a standardized system to measure boulder problem difficulty, and the "V" in V-scale stands for "Vermin," his climbing nickname. Mar 6, 2023 · Notable Ascents Shawn Raboutou is the only boulderer in the world right now with 2 9A/V17 ascents under his belt. As of May 2025, there are 13 known V17 boulders worldwide — Oct 12, 2020 · Wondering how climbs are graded by setters? Or maybe you want to learn what V means in bouldering. This would have made it the hardest problem in the Southern Hemisphere and the hardest boulder problem in the world, at the time. So if Terranova ever gets an upgrade, then Adam also established the first V17. In climbing The Dark Side, Lamb becomes the first woman to make an ascent at Font 8C+. Nov 8, 2022 · How many V17 boulder problems are there? Based solely on grade, the title of world’s hardest boulder problem is currently shared by two problems: Burden of Dreams and Return of the Sleepwalker. Bouldering grades are the assigned difficulty ratings to boulder problems. Feb 1, 2024 · Long-Standing US Boulder Project Climbed Sean Bailey has made the first ascent of Devilution in the Buttermilks, a problem that he said on a podcast is possibly V16 Jul 18, 2023 · In 2018, after an intense 11-day challenge, Webb accomplished the first ascent of Sleepwalker, a V16 grade problem Red Rocks. In doing so, Lamb has jumped over the V15 grade entirely, and become the first woman in history to solve a V16 (8C+) boulder problem. James Lucas “I felt in beast mode going back out there,” says Daniel Woods, a 29-year-old professional climber from Longmont, Colorado. In July 2023, she climbed Box Therapy in Colorado, initially celebrated as the first woman to ascend a V16 boulder. Bookkeeping is not a regular boulder problem. The problem was first eyed by Daniel Woods, a seasoned climber with numerous first ascents under his belt. In outdoor settings, two prominent grading scales, the V Scale and Font Scale, take center stage. At the easier end of the scale, some use the designation "VB" (sometimes said to designate "basic" or "beginner") for problems easier than a V0. Understanding Climbing Grade Conversion Comparing Bouldering Grades When it comes to comparing bouldering grades, it’s essential to understand the differences between the various grading systems used in different regions Will Bosi even thinks Adam's unrepeated V16 boulder Terranova is harder than Alphane (and any other other boulder he's tried as a matter of fact). Mar 5, 2024 · Katie Lamb wrote a piece of history on this rock, becoming the first woman to climb a V16 boulder, and what’s even more impressive is the fact that she skipped a full grade during the process. Moved PermanentlyThe document has moved here. Mentions only ever trying it post break so no comparison with the original grade, still insane and such an accomplishment. The Grade Needless to say, the problem looks and sounds incredibly difficult. “In comparison to Things I can immediately spot: "Nest v15" should be "The Nest" "Blood Redemption v15" has a consensus grade of v14 so Magnus Mitbo shouldn't be on the list Liam Andrews-Bancroft has sent blade runner v15 You're missing Aiden Roberts amazing first ascents Also seems a bit strange to me to put individual ascents on boulders in alphabetical order rather than chronological. Sep 17, 2024 · The boulder is located in Valle Bavona, Switzerland, and Jimmy said “ One of the coolest projects I’ve ever climbed. If you’re used to the V Scale, common in the U. Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Online Conversion Tool for Climbing Grades & Bouldering Grades: Trad Grade, UIAA, French Sport Grade, Boulder Grades, American Scale & many more. Bouldering grade conversions between the V-Scale and the Font-scale are mostly accurate. Please keep in mind that being stuck within this grade range is normal during your first month (s) of bouldering. Ondra recently retried the moves on his old FA during a climbing Sep 14, 2023 · On July 28th, she’d topped the pristine alpine boulder Box Therapy (V16) in Rocky Mountain National Park. Lamb’s ascent marks Dec 9, 2024 · Tabelle: Schwierigkeiten beim Bouldern Beim Bouldern haben sich beim Bestimmen der Schwierigkeitsgrade einer Route vor allem die französische Fb-Skala („Fontainebleau“) und die amerikanische V-Skala („Vermin“) durchgesetzt. Why Are Bouldering Routes Called "Problems"? Feb 14, 2024 · Understanding Bouldering Grades Bouldering grades stand as a universal metric, offering climbers a standardized means to assess the difficulty of boulder problems, whether encountered outdoors in natural landscapes or within the controlled environments of climbing gyms. Overall really good Jul 16, 2025 · Canada has achieved a significant milestone in the climbing community with Andy Lamb's first ascent of Event Horizon V16 (8C+) in Squamish. Aug 30, 2024 · A first ascent of the problem was claimed in January 2023 with a grade assessment of V16. There are grade systems for bouldering, grade systems for sport climbing, grade systems for aid climbing and so on but even grade systems for the same style don’t always translate well between each other. Jun 8, 2023 · Even in 2023 alone, the standard of hard bouldering has grown exponentially, with 15 new crushers claiming an ascent of V16 or harder in the last 12 months. It had been known as the “launch pad project” and he graded it V16. As of October 2023, there are 48 people who have bagged a V16 boulder problem. Notes on lines missing from the list are welcome and can be communicated in the comments field. Apr 29, 2024 · Learn everything about climbing grades and quickly convert any climbing rating with our free climbing grade conversion chart. General timelines indicate that from bouldering day one, getting to V4 can take a year, V5 two years, V6 three years, and five years to V7. What is Adam Ondra Ape Index? Adam Ondra has a +1cm ape index. Mar 21, 2016 · A week before her 15th birthday, Ashima Shiraishi, the unlikely climbing prodigy from New York City, got an early present. S. Climbing V16 demands so much strength and skill that a V17/9A boulder problem climb long seemed like a distant fairytale. Initially ranging from V0 (easiest) to V16 (hardest), the scale has expanded over time as elite climbers continue to push boundaries. Without a rest on the climb, Woods needed to climb efficiently to save enough energy to pull the lip. If two different degree of difficulty is still debated, then the boulder is shown as a split grade (V15/V16). Just how sandbagged is the Czech Republic to produce such a specimen? The higher the grade, the longer it takes to get to the next one. Nov 8, 2023 · Discover the definitive guide to bouldering grades. The Rockfax grade tables offer a flexible and accurate comparison from the main world grading systems to the unique British Trad Grade and UK Tech Grade. Boom – V16. It recently had a second ascent by Jimmy Webb. Oct 30, 2018 · Daniel Woods made the first ascent of Box Therapy near Rocky Mountain National Park’s Box Lake. Andy Lamb climbed the line in June 2023, suggesting a double downgrade to V14. Bouldering Grade Systems Bouldering grade systems are a Box Therapy is situated near the Rocky Mountains National Park, a place known for its challenging boulders and picturesque landscapes. The boulder consists of 18 hard crimpy moves and has only seen 4 ascents, with the most recent one being the first female ascent of a V16! Mar 24, 2022 · The World’s Current Hardest Boulder Problem Based solely on grade, the title of world’s hardest boulder problem is currently shared by two problems: Burden of Dreams and Return of the Sleepwalker. Aug 30, 2024 · 抱石等級是攀岩運動中對攀爬難度的重要指標，普遍採用V系統來分級，從VB到V16。這些等級不僅幫助攀岩者選擇合適的路線，也促進了技術與體能的提升。無論是新手還是資深攀岩者，了解抱石等級能讓你在攀岩的旅程中更有信心和樂趣。參考更多：攀岩：挑戰極限的垂直冒險抱石的基本概念 Apr 20, 2024 · This V16 boulder in Japan not only has some of the burliest moves you’ve ever seen, it will probably give you a pulley injury just watching the send videos. The most commonly used Most grade systems are specific to a certain style. Woods was referring to his new problem Box Therapy Jan 17, 2022 · Of the Wagon is a powerful problem on a big boulder at the edge of a field in Val Bavona, Switzerland. Apr 27, 2025 · The 8C grade is part of the Fontainebleau (Font) bouldering scale, mostly used in Europe. When first solved in October 2000 by Swiss bouldering pioneer Fred Nicole, it was graded at 8C (V15), making it the world's first-ever boulder route at that grade. The story isn’t straightforward with this one either! Feb 11, 2025 · Adam Shahar recently completed The Process V16 (8C+) in the Buttermilks. , you might wonder how 8C compares. The V-grade / Font-grade systems (sometimes the "technical grade" component of the British E-grade system is used) have replaced Peak B-grades in Britain but they appear in some guidebooks and some boulder grade conversion tables. The problem is around 17 moves long. . He is one of a handful of climbers who have climbed the boulder grade V16 (8C+). Katie Lamb (born September 16, 1997) is an American rock climber who specializes in bouldering, and who in 2023 became the first-ever woman in history to climb an 8C+ (V16) graded boulder. He’s tried the problem on multiple trips to Czechia but hasn’t yet been able to solve it. Insomniac is an 8C+ Boulder problem at Lincoln Lake in the United States. In short: 8C roughly equals V15 on the Hueco V Scale, or 5. Jul 20, 2023 · Only a few years ago, V16 was a mythical grade, but today over 30 climbers have sent V16 problems, and there are more than 20 proposed V16s in the world. Nov 3, 2023 · The V16 designation in the V scale is of comparable difficulty, often associated with some of the most challenging boulder problems in the world. Now over 13 years old, the problem still hasn’t been repeated. When Camille Coudert sent he concurred with Lorenzi’s original suggested grade of V17, as when he compared it to other boulders in the V15-V16 range, the higher grade seemed far more accurate. Including Grade Wike & Table. 15a on the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) if you’re trying to compare it to roped climbs. “I thought that was a pretty safe bet. Apr 1, 2022 · Terranova is a boulder problem in the Moravsky Kras area of the Czech Republic established by Adam Ondra in 2011 as his first 8C+. if a route boils down to just a single boulder problem (roped bouldering, something quite common where I live) then the grade of that boulder problem determines how low the route can be graded. He beat several of the world's best climbers to win the event, including Chris Sharma, Daniel Woods, Dave Graham Mar 24, 2022 · The current prevalence of the V16 grade is a relatively new thing: In 2011, Adam Ondra established a V16, Terranova, at Holjsten in the Czech Republic, and repeated Christian Core’s 2008 problem Gioia at Varazze, Italy, saying that both felt like V16, a grade that few climbers had yet dared to propose. Daniel continues to project the route and has completed almost all the sit-start moves. Both problems have only one ascent. Woods is one of the most accomplished bouldering specialists ever, on both rock and plastic. The two most common boulder grading systems are the V-Scale and the Fontainebleau Scale. The technically hardest redpoint of a multi-pitch (or big wall) route is at the grade of 9a+ (5. By comparing the V-Scale to other grade systems, climbers can gain a better understanding of the nuances and variations in bouldering grades worldwide. Particularly Jan 12, 2016 · He nabbed the second ascent of Gioia and gave the problem a V16 grade afterwards. The Big Slamm in Italy: First climbed by Elias Iagnemma in 2025 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elias Iagnemma (@elias_iagnemma) Dec 28, 2021 · Ryuichi Murai recently made the first ascent Floatin, a hard new problem in Mizugakiyama Natural Park, Japan. Familiarise yourself with the differences. Bouldering grades conversion This page presents bouldering grades, the bouldering grades conversion relative to eachtother and the origine of most used scales. Daniel was with Jimmy when he made the first ascent, and less than a month later, Daniel completed the second ascent. Established by Carlo Traversi in December 2023, the ultra-technical and subtle line is found on the Thriller Boulder in the forest beside Camp 4. From 2004 until 2016, the top grade in bouldering was V16 (8C+). The following compilation gives an overview of the most difficult boulders in the world from grade 8C+ (V16). Initially graded a V15 by first ascensionist, Daniel Woods, Hypnotized Minds saw an upgrade to a V16, making it the second boulder in climbing history of that grade. The problem is the third V16 in RMNP, the eighth V16 in the world, and Woods’s fourth climb of the grade. Located at the Holstejn area of Czechia’s Moravsky Kras, Ondra spent 12 days over two seasons working the problem before his eventual send. While the grade is unconfirmed, it shows how far the sport has come. Climbers can use these systems to track their progress as they work toward building new skill sets. It carries something far more unique. Comparison Table: Fontainebleau Grade (Font) Approximate V Scale 8c+ V16 9a V17 (Note: Remember that climbing Oct 17, 2023 · Admittedly, I have almost no experience on difficult boulders, but for me to skip V14 and V15 and then do a V16 in less than four sessions seems outlandish. That achievement, however, became mired in controversy after top climbers later reevaluated the climb, downgrading it to V15. Nalle Hukkataival made the first ascent at V14 and called it Off the Wagon in 2012. With repeats, it was graded at 8C (V15), and some consider it to really be a sport climbing traverse route, at the sport grade of 9a (5. The sit, also known as the low start, is the country’s first boulder of the grade and the hardest problem in Switzerland. Nov 3, 2023 · 9a Boulder to V Scale: For climbers inquiring about the "9a to V scale" correlation, here's the succinct response: 9a in the Fontainebleau (Font) grading system corresponds approximately to V17 in the V scale. This feat, confirmed by fellow climber Daniel Woods, was his second V16, following the Creature from the Black Lagoon in Rocky Mountain National Park. Due to his history of downgrading hard problems, his V16 suggestion was viewed as a strong endorsement in the eyes of many, and subsequently many people today think of Gioia as a V16 boulder problem despite it first being graded V15 by Christian Core. Katie Lamb -- One of the strongest boulderers in the world, and first woman to successfully scale the grade V16 The Dark Side boulder in Yosemite (March 2025) | Photo by Eric Bissell V16's!!! It seems that for boulder grades to get higher the problems have to get longer and longer. 14d). Katie Lamb Shatters Limits as First Woman to Conquer V16—Twice! Katie Lamb has once again made history, becoming the first woman to climb a confirmed V16 boulder problem—for the… Mar 1, 2025 · On February 22, Austin Purdy climbed Bookkeeping V16 (8C+) in the Nomad Cave in Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado. Many areas in the world have developed different systems. Both are currently graded V17 (9A). Jan 26, 2004 · 1/26/04 - Italian Mauro Calibani has suggested a grade of 8c+ (V16) for his new boulder problem Tonino ’78 in central Italy. How do boulder grades work? How are boulder problems graded? What is the difference between V Grades and Font Grades? These are all questions I will answer. This winter, Woods had climbed Sleepwalker V16 nearly 20 times, with four coming in one session. Climbers operating at this level have trained for decades, developing finger strength, total body explosive power, and technical proficiency with movement. Sep 16, 2021 · Everything you ever wanted to know about bouldering grades in one place, including a bouldering grade conversion chart from the V Scale to Font Scale. Aug 18, 2017 · In this article we go over the nuances of rock climbing grades, indoor and outdoor, what they mean, and how to understand them. Both indoor and outdoor bouldering is graded, but you’ll find that outdoor climbing will use either the V-Scale or the Font-Scale, which are the two most common bouldering scales Jimmy Webb (born November 7, 1987) is an American professional rock climber specializing in bouldering. The list is continuously updated. Oct 15, 2021 · From sport climbing to bouldering, different types of rock climbing each have their own system, known as bouldering grades, to assess a route’s overall difficulty. Everything you ever wanted to know about bouldering grades in one place, including a bouldering grade conversion chart from the v scale to font scale. The granite boulder only has six moves and involves a lot of feet-off dynamic throws from crimps to gastons and into a powerful deadpoint at the top. Getting mileage is especially important in the beginner stages because it helps you adjust Jan 4, 2025 · Can you name the V16+ Boulders? Test your knowledge on this sports quiz and compare your score to others. Quickly convert bouldering grades between different systems with our easy-to-use too Mar 17, 2023 · What are bouldering grades? Simply put, bouldering grades are a made-up system consisting mainly of letters and numbers to measure the difficulty of a boulder problem. Lucas Uchida and Ethan Salvo repeated the problem later that year, both agreeing with the V14 assessment. “I haven’t sent it, so I don’t wanna say anything definitive about the grade, but I am confident that that is a [V17] boulder,” said Bosi in a recent Climbing interview about Terranova’s sandbagged grade. I. The 25-move line traverses the roof of a steep cave, ending by dropping off onto a small boulder. May 1, 2019 · Bouldering Today Fast forward to 2018 and there’s countless boulder problems around the world. Get the mileage Mileage is what climbers use to refer to being on the wall. During a spring-break trip to Japan, she climbed a boulder problem with a Mar 25, 2024 · Explore the ins and outs of climbing grade conversion with tips, challenges, and resources. The higher the grade, the harder the route is. Quiz by bloodinmyeye Dreamtime is a 10-metre (33-foot) long bouldering route, on the boulder of the same name, in the gneiss bouldering area of Cresciano, Switzerland. May 13, 2024 · Katie Lamb: In 2023, Lamb become the first woman to climb a boulder that had been given the grade of V16 with her fourth ascent of Box Therapy, a steep problem first climbed by Daniel Woods in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. Apr 27, 2025 · An 8c+ boulder problem is generally going to involve bad holds, bad feet, dynamic moves, very powerful, delicate, complex moves. This would be one of the only V17s in the world. Each scale brings its Sep 28, 2017 · His proposed V16 grade went unchallenged until 2015, when fellow Japanese climber Motochika Nagao repeated the climb and called it V15. Jun 8, 2023 · Hard 100 Footnotes All boulders are shown as their “suggested grade” factoring in the initial proposed grade and the consensus of repeats from other climbers. Although open-ended, the "V" system currently covers a range from V0 to V16. Box Therapy, put up by Daniel Woods in 2018, has seen only two other repeats, from Drew Ruana and Sean Mar 12, 2020 · Daniel Woods made the third ascent of Off the Wagon sit, the now-famous V16 boulder first climbed by Shawn Raboutou in Val Bavona, Switzerland. Pretty much agreed with this. info/HMBJake Mason, Head Routesetter at Yonder and Hang explains the eight Apr 12, 2021 · This boulder problem is the hardest piece of rock climbing in North Americaand perhaps the world. Want to know more about bouldering climbing grades? Check out our comprehensive guide on the V-Scale and French Scale here. Find out how to convert the V scale and more here. Comparison Table: Fontainebleau Grade (Font) Approximate V Scale 8b+ V14 8c V15 8c+ V16 (Note: Remember that climbing grades are sub Feb 2, 2025 · However, several athletes these days are becoming more comfortable in the V16 routes and now challenge themselves to ascend higher-ranked boulder problems. Jan 28, 2022 · Climbing grades describe the objective difficulty of a climb and are organized into grading systems based on the climbing style and the region. Jun 5, 2023 · Now, in 2025, you will find your average Joe in the boulder field casually crushing 10s and 11s like it’s nobody’s business. [3][10][20] Below is a list of the 30 most difficult problems that get a solid V16 or harder rating, and who’s climbed them. Historical Overview: The Font scale is steeped in the rich climbing traditions of Fontainebleau, while the V scale is a reflection of the evolution of bouldering in North America. That means his fingertip to fingertip wingspan is 1 centimeter more than his height. 1. Yes - It’s a mega-hard, low-rep boulder. Jun 18, 2022 · Overview: Most difficult boulders from 8C + The list in the 8C+ area is significantly longer. The technically hardest boulder solved is at the boulder grade of V17 (9A) for men and V16 (8C+) for women. Murai is one of the world’s top boulderers with sends of Apr 20, 2024 · Fred on Charon‘s Obolus, V13/8B The first consensus on V15 is Monkey Wedding, another boulder put up by Fred Nicole in South Africa. May 12, 2025 · In the realm of elite bouldering, V17 boulder problems (Fontainebleau grade 9A) represent the absolute cutting edge of difficulty. The climb was opened in January this year, and being quite new, hasn’t seen much action from other top boulderers. Traversi projected the problem on and off for years before his eventual FA, which he called his most difficult boulder ever. Jul 12, 2024 · Last month, Díaz-Rullo made the second ascent of Muerte por Asfixia V16 in La Pedriza, Spain, his first boulder of the grade. There is some controversy between bouldering grade conversion, however for the most part we can assume the conversions will hold true. Further ascents solidified this grade, making May 4, 2023 · The boulder was first climbed by Jimmy Webb in 2019 to get a first ascent of sleepwalker V16/8C+. Also included are two V16/17 problems, with only one having been repeated. Jan 27, 2022 · Breaking into new difficulties remains challenging in 2022, but climbers have become progressively more comfortable with the V17 rating as a greater number of athletes break into the V16 range. Christian Core, an Italian climber made the first ascent of Gioia and suggested a V16. The Wheel of Life is a 21-metre (69 ft) long sandstone bouldering route on the roof of the Hollow Mountain Cave in the Grampians of Australia. In this beginners guide, we go over everything that goes into bouldering grades and what you need to know. After nearly 55 attempts, Lamb ascended the boulder problem located in The Room, which starts lower than the previous Room Service Low V14. Last week, he said, “I don’t sleep at night because of it. From 1910 Jacques Wehrlin and his Groupe Rochassier started climbing regularly in Fontainebleau, and Jacques de Lépiney established the first boulder of grade 4: La Prestat. 15a). The boulder consists of 18 hard crimpy moves and has only seen 4 ascents, with the most recent one being the first female ascent of a v16! There are now 27 boulders in the world that have been proposed or confirmed at v16 (8c+). Nalle Hukkataival sent Burden of Dreams in October 2016, making it the first problem ever to receive a proposed grade of V17 (9A May 7, 2025 · Katie Lamb has once again made history, becoming the first woman to climb a confirmed V16 boulder problem—for the… Feb 8, 2025 · Katie Lamb: In 2023, Lamb become the first woman to climb a boulder that had been given the grade of V16 with her fourth ascent of Box Therapy, a steep problem first climbed by Daniel Woods in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. He has over 25 V15+ ascents to his name, more than any other climber in history, and is also one of the few people to claim an ascent of a V17 boulder. Each grade conveys the difficulty of the route. Like many other boulder problems though, this was downgraded to V15/16 by subsequent ascensionists. Keep reading to learn how these grading systems compare, why 8C is Apr 3, 2021 · While the grade of V16 for this climb is already world-class level and the route is considered the hardest boulder in the country, sending it has propelled it to V17. Feb 13, 2020 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. May 1, 2025 · The boulder, which was previously completed by three men—Daniel Woods, Drew Ruana, and Sean Bailey—was considered to be a V16. It is now getting attention, however, for being home to one of the world’s most challenging boulder problems - Megatron V17. Mar 12, 2021 · While the grade of V16 for this climb is already world-class level and the route is considered the hardest boulder in the country, sending it with the sit start could possibly propel the grade to V17. With subsequent repeat ascents, it was regraded to 8B+ (V14), but after the breaking When The Wheel of Life got its first ascent in 2004 by Dai Koyamada he proposed the boulder grade of V16/8C+. I like to use a conversion chart like this as more of an lower limit for a route grade. When first climbed, it was graded at 8C+ (V16), one of the world's first-ever boulder routes at that grade. From V0 to V15, unlock the secrets of difficulty ratings and elevate your climbing game. [1] He beat several of the world's best climbers to win the event, including Chris Sharma, Daniel Woods, Dave Graham, and Camille spent an agonizing 100 tries on the boulder before sending it on the 12th of February 2022. Jun 23, 2024 · These grading systems may differ in their approach to grading boulder problems, but they ultimately serve the same purpose of helping climbers understand the difficulty level of a climb. The problem has two variations, the stand start (8B+) and the sit start variation (8C+). Nov 3, 2023 · 8c Boulder to V Scale: Inquiring about the "8c to V scale" conversion? Here it is succinctly: an 8c in the Fontainebleau (Font) grading system typically corresponds to V15 in the V scale. The most difficult is Burden of Dreams V17 in Lappnor, Finland first climbed by Nalle Hukkataival. May 31, 2024 · The sit-start adds six moves to Sleepwalker and proposes that the grade be bumped to V17. In this guide, we will explain what factors determine a boulder grade and what you can expect as you climb through the grading scale. Fast forward 6 years later to 2008 and the first proposed V16 appears. The goal is to reach the top of a boulder problem or route. A list of all the boulder problems 8C+ or harder that have currently been climbed, including details of the first ascent. Jun 4, 2020 · Wheel of Life, 2004 – Perhaps the first serious contender for V16, Dai Koyamada took his boulder Sleepy Rave (V15) and tacked the furthest starting point, X-Treme Cool (V9), onto the very beginning. Since the groundbreaking first ascent of Burden of Dreams in 2016, the number of climbs proposed at this grade has slowly grown. Jun 13, 2023 · THE WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP: Austin Purdy breaks into the V16 grade; Canada's hardest-graded boulder sees a second ascent; Drew Ruana continues crushing Colorado; and Elnaz Rekabi competes for the first time since doing so without a headscarf last year. James "Jimmy" Webb born November 7, 1987) is an American professional rock climber specializing in bouldering. Do you mean first proposed V16 or 'confirmed'? AFAIK none have had enough repeats to 'confirm' the grade. Learn about the different climbing grades used in bouldering, from V0 to V16, and understand how to interpret the grading system to choose routes that suit your skill level. Apr 6, 2023 · V16 The first proposed V16 was in 2004 when Mauro Calibani climbed Tonino ’78 in central Italy. Today, we explore the world's most challenging boulder problems and what makes them tough to climb. His ascent was publicly shared after KAYA released footage, marking a pivotal moment in Canada’s bouldering Jan 16, 2025 · Below are the nine boulders that have been graded V17, of which three have been repeated and confirmed, while four are suggestions. Sep 1, 2024 · Use code HANNAH15 for 15% off Tee’s, Chalk & Apparel from Rúngne ︎ https://rungne. Nov 10, 2024 · The problem is also and on-and-off long-term project for Will Bosi. On April 6, 2022, Shawn Raboutou made the First Ascent of a V16 boulder named ‘ Alphane ‘. What are Bouldering Grades? Essentially, they are a combination of numbers and letters that tell you how difficult a certain problem is. The Hueco Scale The "V" Scale, devised by John 'Vermin' Sherman at Hueco Tanks State Historic Site in the 1990s, is the most widely used system in North America. This was in 2002, two years after the first proposed V15. zqvu ohppvk hute umqj adtmx tulvc pglht zigfaa ytyebbw ppri