Owen Whaley has done Resisting Arrest (9a) at Robber's Roost. "A great feeling, such a fun route. Struggled to get it done throughout my busy summer but it all came together in the end. Great experience!" (c) Rachel Melville

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
I first tried “Resisting Arrest” last summer when Joe Kinder made the first ascent. It is a very fun route consisting of bouldery sections, separated by mediocre rests. I tried the route intermittently throughout the summer, but the heat and trips away prevented me from sending. In the end I was able to do it on one of my last days before leaving home and heading back to college, which was very rewarding.

Connor Herson, who last year did the bolted route Empath (9a+) on gear, has posted on Instagram that he has completed six very impressive, and three exceptional, ascents from his last month in Squamish, photo courtesy of Christian Adam.

Cobra Crack (8c) trad: Sonnie Trotter's classic, "always been a dream line of mine".
Crack of destiny (8c) trad: Didier Berthod, 41, did the FA in June.
"This thing is truly Cobra Crack 2.0."
Spirit Quest (9a): "[redpointed it] While waiting for my skin to heal in between sessions on the crack climbs."

Which climb was the most memorable for you?
I think my most memorable ascent was the Crack of destiny - there was such a good crew that day, the energy was great, and I just focused on enjoying the climb. It was certainly the most fun I’ve had on a send go. Plus, my friend got footage and we might release it soon.

It took me 4 sessions. Because it’s so steep (the photos don’t show it, but it’s about 30° overhung), it was easier to try on lead than toprope. Compared to Cobra, the moves were way easier but it was far more sustained and pumpy. The hardest part for me was finding a sequence - the crack is Indian creek style and has very few distinct features, so it was hard to remember a sequence. On my send, I still didn’t have a sequence for the bottom 60% of the crack! On my third session, I got through the crack and fell on the North Star crux at the very top, then I sent it on the first go of my fourth session!

What is coming up next?
As for my next plan, I’m not sure yet how I’ll spend the rest of the summer before school starts. I’ve got a few ideas, but it’ll definitely involve more hard trad!

Have you considered taking on a harder, more involved project?
The 9a took 6 sessions, but I was trying it off and on for the first few. It’s an amazing climb! Sustained, natural slightly overhung granite face climbing. It’s like 5.12- to the fifth bolt then sustained v8-v10 climbing with no good rests but no moves harder than v10 for about 8 more bolts. It has a potential direct finish where you’d do all the hard climbing, then launch with no rest into a v9 into a v7, and then a decent rest into a v10. I was going to spend a lot of time on that, but it was really hard on my skin and the temperatures warmed up too much, but I’d like to go back for that!

The Squamish trip was my first time climbing outside the United States, though, so I wanted to try a lot of climbs instead of focusing on one.

The 19-year-old first made headlines on 8a when he at age 14 did Southern Smoke (8c+) second go and a few months later sent The Nose (8b+) multi-pitch. Last year, we made an interview with the #1 multi-discipline teenage challenger in the world after he had been #12 in the Youth World Championship, where he was runner-up in the qualification. "I think I am just as excited about studying as I am about climbing."

What are you studying? Are you still as keen?
I am on summer break right now and I’ll be starting my second year soon. I’ve been loving it, and I’m excited to go back to school in the fall! I’m still undeclared for my major, but I’m leaning towards electrical engineering. I’ll know for certain by the end of this school year.

What does a normal training week look like when you are at school?
When I’m in school, I take the train to the gym a few times a week to climb. Last year, I was training a lot with Solomon Barth and Maya Madere, and having psyched people to train with makes a huge difference for me! Then on weekends, I try to make it to nearby climbing areas as long as I’m on top of my schoolwork.

Tanguy Merard, who has already done three 9a+'s in 2023, has started August by sending A muerte bilou (9a) in Verdon. Then he moved to Gorges du Loup where he during ten days sent Trip tik tonik (9a), Just two fix (9a), KinematiX (9a) and Punt'X (9a). (c) H2mimages

"The first step in my trip was in Les gorges du Verdon, I tried "A Muerte Bilou" a 9a opened by Seb Bouin. On the first day, I did the first part (8c+) and on the second day I managed to find a good beta in the second part and on the third day I did the route on my first try. I was really happy because the route was scaring me. Then we (with Marzu) left for the Gorges du Loup. The goal was to do Trip Tik Tonic 9a in one session, it's a classic route from there on beautiful tufas. Finally, I sent it with a headlamp in the dark the first evening. The days after I sent Just two fix 9a and Kinematix 9a. My next goal was to try Punt'x 9a+ with Jules Marchaland. I was very surprised to complete the route in only 10 tries. Today I did Inga 8c+/9a, it's quite an exceptional route because it starts with a boulder in a cave and then ends in an 8c route. The best route was A Muerte Bilou because it is really big and impressive. It is 55m long and with 55° the most overhanging. Now I'm going to finish the trip trying easier routes and cheer on Jules on his tries tomorrow."

What's next on your radar?
A project in Entraygues, Le pamphlet 9a+/9b!? I have put 25/30 sessions I think.

What does a normal climbing week typically consist of for you?
I train from Monday to Thursday and I climb outdoors during the weekend, but this summer I was on holiday so I just climbed outdoors.

Adrian Houbron has done To do list (8c+) in La Balme de Yenne. (c) Mathieu Pisaniello

"The route was bolted and climbed for the first time a few years ago by Mathieu Bouyoud. It is really different from the usual style of la Balme de Yenne as it is a slightly overhanging wall with no kneebar or tufa, just pure climbing on small holds. The route starts with a hard boulder problem with a shoulder movement on crimps right after with no rest. There is a section of pure power endurance climbing of approximately 20 moves. The end of the route is not that hard (around 8a), but it is nice to climb and it goes to the very top of the cliff."