Laura Rogora has repeated Adam Ondra’s Niobe in Arco, sending the route in just four attempts. The 24-year-old Italian now boasts 42 ascents graded 9a and harder, more than a dozen of which she completed in 2025 alone. In 2025, she also onsighted seven routes graded 8c and 8c+, giving her an onsight résumé stronger than that of any male climber. To cap off a standout season, Rogora claimed bronze at the Lead World Cup and was named Vertical-Life’s Climber of the Year 2025. (c) Andrea Camattari

Can you tell us more about the ascent and the beta you used?
I had watched Adam’s video, but not to check the betas. Basically, before starting I only knew that after the first chain there was a palm-move boulder. On my first go, I climbed the first pitch of 8a+/b and figured out the betas for the upper section. I think the first boulder suits my body measurements quite well, while the upper part is a bit more morpho, although I’m not sure whether I used the same betas as the other repeaters.

Eva Hammelmüller, who last year sent 15 routes 8c+ or 9a, has done WRC (9a) in Castillon, which is an 8a+ extension to Alien carnage (8c+). On the same day she also flashed BarjoLand (8b): ”Technically a flash because I belayed Felix in it yesterday, but felt more like an onsight :D didn’t know any of the holds and took me forever to understand the beta… so happy that I kept fighting until the anchor!” (c) Felix Mast

Can you tell us more about the process behind sending WRC?
January was mostly about surving uni, work, and intense training sessions, and I was so happy that I got to climb outside again! I focused mainly on power training during the last couple of weeks, so my endurance on the first day in Alien Carnage felt terrible. However, I got back into lead climbing pretty quickly and managed to send it on the next day! As we quite spontaneously decided to climb another day in Castillon, I was curious and checked out WRC - and fell three times at the very top… I thought I had to abandon the route, but a change in our plans allowed me to give it another try on my 4th day of climbing. Having no expectations, I found myself on top of this amazing climb! Somehow I also half-flashed, half-onsighted BarjoLand (8b) and sent Total Jobard (8b+) afterwards. Sometimes the best days are the ones you don’t expect at all. Maybe Friday the 13th is my new lucky day?

What is your plan for the spring?
My plans for spring are mainly to train hard and climb outside on weekends. I have a few projects around home that I’d like to focus on, but I haven’t planned a bigger trip in the near future.

Julia Fiser, who last year sent her first 8c+, has sent Fish eye (8c) in Oliana. The 28-year-old has been an active international competition climber for 14 years and her best result is ninth in her hometown Innsbruck in 2024. (c) Toni Mas Buchaca

Can you tell us more about the ascent and your trip?
10 years ago I went on my first rock climbing trip to Oliana with a bunch of (international) friends. I was in awe of Fish Eye back then, but I wasn't brave enough to actually give it a go. To be fair, I didn't have much rock experience back then. I always wanted to return to Oliana, but it took me 10 years to come back! This time, I consciously decided to go on a solo trip, because my head was full of questions and I wanted some time away from home to think about these. So when I got here, I just had to try Fish Eye, for my younger self. I figured out the moves quickly, but there has been lots of rain here in Catalunya recently, so finding decent conditions was harder than I expected.

Finally, on my penultimate day, we got lots of strong wind which dried up the route enough to have a chance. I did it on my warmup go, more or less fully in control. A couple of days before, I completed another life goal of mine: climbing 100 routes 8a or harder.

On my last day here, it actually started snowing and it would've been impossible to climb. So I guess my timing was perfect! Besides achieving those two things my younger self dreamed of, I came back home with answers to questions I didn't even know I was asking myself. And that actually matters more than any route ever could :) I want to thank the whole Oliana family for welcoming me so warmly, and for all the belays, advice and good conversations!