In 1990, Ben Moon made the FA of Hubble at Ravens Tor as the world's first 8c+. Today many think it should be upgraded to 9a. Three years ago he repeated Rainshadow 9a and now he once again show the uniqueness in climbing in regards age and performance by doing Evolution 8c+ at Ravens Tor. "It’s a great end to the year for me which has been one of the best of the past 35 years climbing." (c) Moon Climbing "To be honest I didn’t really do anything different in my training. Just a lot of indoor bouldering and quite a bit of low intensity, high volume climbing (aero cap). I also climbed a lot outside this year. We had amazing weather for most of the year. In May and June I was mainly trying Northern Lights and came pretty close, definitely the best year yet on that route and then easier routes in the Peak District during the summer. I did a route called Hajj at Ravens Tor about 3 weeks ago and although it only gets 8c, several people who have climbed this route and another of the Mecca extensions called Kaaba (8c+) say it’s harder. Hajj is one of the Mecca extensions so you do Mecca to a good rest then you do a route 8b which probably has a Font 7c boulder on it. Really crimpy like most routes at Ravens Tor. I felt fit and strong after doing this route which was good preparation for Evolution. The crux of Evolution is the start which is probably a 3 move Font 8a and then you are straight into a route 8b with no rests. The route is a classic Tor route, sustained bouldering on vicious crimps and a real test of finger strength. I was at the Tor the other day when Pete Dawson did it which was great to see. We both agree that there probably isn’t a full grade difference between Evolution and Rainshadow. Maybe Evolution is hard 8c+ and Rainshadow easy 9a. I think Northern Lights is in a different league grade wise to all these other routes and I reckon one day will be considered 9a+. Time will tell but only 3 ascents in 18 years…."

Andrew Nimmer came to Red River Gorge wit one 8c and one 8c+ as personal best. One week later he leaves with three new 8c+'; Southern Smoke, Pure Imagination and Golden Ticket. (c) Matty Hong, from last year when Andrew did Lucifer 8c+.

Shawn Raboutou has done Foundation's Edge 8C in Valais in just two sessions. "Thank you so much Dave Graham for the amazing Valais test piece." (c) Insta Shawn, who's parents are some of the 90'ties leading climbers Didier and Robyn Erbesfield, have previously done fast ascents of one 8C+, five 8C' and a 9a+. His younger sister Brooke won the Youth Lead World Championship this year.

Klättercentret in Stockholm put together another great show with some unique boulders where Alex Megos was the only one to top out all five problems. Chris Sharma did also make a great competition comeback and he was honored but well behind his "new heroes". Youtube video (c) Vladek Zumr 1. Alex Megos 55 2. Chon Jongwon 44 3. Jerney Kruder 35

David Firnenburg has done his second 9a+ through a quick send of Alex Megos Modified in Frankenjura. "Well, after sending "Classified" I thought it would be a shame not to climb this line. Slightly harder because of additional boulder in the beginning. Good training. Little fight against cold and numb fingers. 2nd go after "Classified". Easy for the grade." The German was #3 in the Combined World Championship in 2016 and now he goes for Tokyo 2020. In the Combined 8a ranking game, he is #4.

Frances Bensley, who started out 2018 with a 7C+ personal best, has done her first 8B in Fat Lip. Also with the rope she has rasied the bar to 8b+ this year. From her Insta. "It's been a real siege over the past month or so, and I've lost track of the number of sessions I've had so it felt great to finish it off just before the Tor season is officially over!"(c) Al Bensley

Oriane Bertone, who previously has done three 8B's and harder, has done the FA of Le spartiate direct assis in Ravine du Trou. The 13 year old is #2 in the ranking game.