Max Bertone, lead youth World Champion in September, has done The Vice (8B) in Rocklands. "Super classic of the Fortress. I felt this roof harder than in Font. 7 sessions needed to send this force test of 13 moves."

Previously, the 15-year-old has done two 8B's and three 8c+. Max is a sibling to Oriane Bertone and it has been a tradition for the family to visit Rocklands during the Christmas break for several years.

Moritz Welt has done a very fast ascent of Dreamtime 8B+/C in Cresciano. ”Tried it for one session last winter and was quite surprised to feel that good on it. Unfortunately couldn't go back to try again because I injured my foot a few days after. This trip it was my main objective and today was my Dreamtime session. Just checked the moves again and had one or two send burns until I finished it off.”

The 21-year-old is mainly a route climber having previously done one 8C but 17 routes 9a and harder.

Iziar Martinez has done Bongadita (8c) in Margalef. The 17-year-old needed more than 10 sessions for the send and says, ”It’s the hardest 8c I’ve done. It was like endurance training.”

What are your plans and ambition in 2023?
Good performance in international comps and keep growing. Finals in the European adults cups would be great.

Jorge Diaz-Rullo has onsighted Memoria de Peix (8b+) in Margalef. Previously, the 23-year-old has onsighted two 8c’s and nine 8b+ meaning his onsight track record is one of the most impressive in the world. In the 8a ranking game, he is #4.

Can you tell us more about the onsight?
It is a very short route, like 5 quickdraws, the same as all routes in Laboratory crag. Powerful with little pockets 😁.

Oriane Bertone, who was #6 in the World Cup, has done a quick ascent of Oral Office (8A+) in Rocklands. ”I was so surprised to send this incredible dyno so quickly !! Second try of the second sesh.”

Do you have and plans and ambitions for the Olympics?
Actually, no plans or ambition for it right now… I want to get better and stronger, and we’ll see later for the Olympics!!

What are the plans for the last days in Rocklands?
is the main one, Out of Balance (8A) for sure, and Barracuda (8A)! I only have 2 days left, hope I can get things done!

Amandine Loury has done Bleurp (8c) in . (c) Jean-Luc Jeunet

”The classic sectors in were wet this holidays, so we went to the Simpson sector which is drier and sunnier. It’s perfect for winter days, the routes are shorts (around 15 meters) and pumpy for twenty movements. I tried Bleurp a few years ago, and I never came back because it’s not the best rock quality in Saint Léger. This year I needed three sessions for send this route which is pumpy and harder and harder going up.”