Alex Puccio has done her 41st 8A and the good news was that it was her first flash, Pamplemousse in Brione. To make it even more impressive, it was 20 degrees. Previously only a couple female have flashed 8A including Ashima Shiraishi (12). "I gave her all the beta (though its still subtle and tricky) and she climbed it perfectly. Was really cool to see. It was super impressive to watch. She is really adapting to the style here. If she only had longer she could really push her limits", says James Webb and when we ask for a grade, "Alex is capable of 8B or even 8B+.

Mark Andersson has done his first 9a, Mission Impossible in Clear Creek Canyon after ten days of work. "The route is about 25m tall, and not very steep. Its near-vertical for the first 10 meters or so, and then it starts to get steadily steeper, overhanging about 3m in total." The "weekend warrior" who previously has done five 8c's has a family and a full time job. ""I’ve developed a training program with my brother Mike Anderson, and we have a book coming out in April called The Rock Climber’s Training Manual that explains our approach in detail." Mark thinks that the reasons for many older climbers achieving personal best are mainly; Many started late and it takes years to develop finger strength and to avoid injuries and many did not train so serious when they were younger. "Climbing is also very skill-dependent, and these skills continue to improve over time." Full story and more pics at his Trainingblog.

BD Athlete Nalle Hukkataival sends Gioia, Varazze, Italy from Black Diamond Equipment on Vimeo.

Arkansas Bouldering from Drexel Bakker on Vimeo.

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Silvio Reffo who previously has done three 9a's has done the FA of The ring of life 9a (+) in Covolo. " I took me maybe 12 days, 7 last year not being even close. This year after some months of hard training I was be able to do the route after 4 days of tries. The first part of the route is very bouldery 8c+/9a and I needed lot of body power to do that... This was the key for the success." The next plan is to open some more hard projects on nearby crags and also to do some multi-pitches. "Near Arco there is a beautiful wall with lot of MPs. I'd like to do 3 hard routes in the same day, 25 pitches with more or less 15 of them more of 8a or harder. One of them is an open project; Viaggio su Plutone, I think 8b+/c max.

Daniel Fuertes has done his 4th 9a, Fabela pa la enmienda in Santa Linya. The previous three weeks, he has done one 8c+ and two 8c's including one personal grade. (c) Manabu Yoneyama

Dani Moreno has had an amazing weekend in Alquezar where he did two 8c+ (9a), including both a personal up- and down grade; Priorato de Sion and Monster. Daniel did his first 8c+ in 2006 and in total he has done seven 8c+ and three 9a.

z A do B / From A to B from kletterkiddies on Vimeo.

Two Days, Two Classics from Eliot Stephens on Vimeo.