Chris Rauch in 'Guardian of the Galaxy' (8B+) FA from Simon Brunner on Vimeo.

Rock fall in new Climbing Crag in Chulilla from Stefan Barthel on Vimeo.

Luis Gerhardt has had an amazing long weekend in Fontainebleau having done one 8B, and two 8B+', Mecanique Elementaire and Jour de chasse which many think is 8C. (c) Markus Ixmeier - Boulderclassics "Well... I don't know how to grade it ... If you climb it like Jan it's harder for sure!! But with the heelhook at the beginning, Giuliano could also be right ... Anyways a sick boulder!!!" What is your plan and ambition in 2017? Wow that's a hard question... The first stop is Céûse for sure in the end of may. Wanna try Baa Baa Black sheep because it looks pretty good! After that I have no plans I guess.. trying Action Directe probably and in winter The Island ... But I will see! I'm just psyched for all the nice stuff!! And travel as much as possible to see all the nice places I wanna go.

Cathy Wagner, who did her first 8a in 1994, has done El bicho in Rodellar in just three tries, suggesting a personal grade of 8a+. "For me, a fantastic impressive line offering both physical AND technical climbing up there, over two roofs. But the official grade (8b) doesn't reflect the difficulty of that route, 8a+ is closer to reality - and honestly I've done harder ones. Have been on it three times altogether." It total the 51 year old has done almost 600 routes 8a and harder out of which 45 only the last year. This means in fact, that her last year should be considered as one of her best years ever. Bear in mind also that she frequently suggests personal down grades. Interesting is that she previously has said that she warms up less and less and instead just does some tai-chi movements.

Vertical-Life is part of a great exhibition in Berlin featuring 129 Climbing Gardens of the World with stunning pictures. In the website presentation, there is a link to the 8a Tick List and some 8a statistics about each crag. It is truly a must to look at the pictures and get inspired planning your next trip. They have also transported big rocks of all stone qualities that we are climbing on around the globe. You can also take a selfie where you climb in any of the most beautiful places in the world. Just after five days of the exhibition, almost 2 000 have taken the picture and overall, the estimate is for a couple million visitors.