Pietro Vidi, who finished 2025 by doing an 8b big wall and two 8c+ trad routes in Yosemite, has repeated Dave Graham’s From Dirt Grows The Flowers (8C) in Chironico. ”One of the best, mantle felt desperate at first but somehow managed to never drop there!”

Clément Lechaptois has repeated Dave Graham’s classic The Story Of 2 Worlds (8C) in Cresciano. The name of the Boulder comes from the intense grade inflation back in 2005, which actually basically stopped after Dave’s article on 8a.

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
Tried the boulder on and off from time to time over the seasons and I often felt close but never finished it off. I am here in Ticino for a while and the weather isn't great for now, this one is probably the first one to get dry after the rain so I took my chance the other day and it ended up well I guess! I climbed it from Dave's OG start and with kneepad.

What is coming up next?
I am here in Ticino for at least one more month, super psyched to enjoy the tons of boulders the area has to offer and maybe try some projects. I had a look at Story of 3 worlds and it's really fun, so I might try again as it's gonna rain again 😅 I have some stuff in mind but for know the plan is to not make too much plans and get in good shape.

Nicolai Užnik, who the last year has sent nine boulders 8C to 9A, has done the first ascent of Full Gem (8C+) in Chironico. The 25-year-old Austrian has spent twelve years on the competition circuit, capping off last World Cup season with a strong eighth-place finish in Innsbruck. (c) Vladek Zumr

Can you tell us more about the first ascent?
Well, it’s the sit start to Forgotten Gem (8C), which I climbed last year around this time on my second go. It adds a couple of quite basic but hard moves into the stand, which makes the whole line significantly harder. It took me around six or seven sessions, I think, to finish. One of the best moments I’ve had was when it clicked and I topped out. Such a pure line!
What is coming up next?
I’m probably going to just mainly train at home the next 2-3 weeks since I’m going to Burden of Dreams (9A) end of February! I might have one or two sessions on the replica but otherwise just gonna train normally.

What about comp preperation?
i‘m starting my world cup season in bern end of may so there‘s still some time, probably going to slowly shift my focus towards comps after finland tho.

Tyler Thompson, with 14 9a’s and beyond under his belt, has completed Bachelor Party (9a) in Mount Potosi. ”Totally desperate end of day effort. Pure power endurance test. No knees for the history!”

Can you tell us more about the experience with the ascent?
I checked out Bachelor party last week after doing Hold Your Fire (8c) that shares the initial hard climbing. Pretty quickly I was climbing to the final roof and falling off the long mono pull crux. A few more days of inching up my highpoint and I managed to send on my 3rd go of the day, after having 4 the previous day. It was one of those rare experiences where you have no expectations and that let me climb better than I had been able to previously!

The route is pretty interesting. It was bolted and set by Joe Brooks and established in 2002 by Francois Legrand. It was one of the first 9a’s in the states and in full 90’s style, nearly entirely on manufactured holds. It’s obviously different ethics than we have nowadays but it still stands as a historic testpiece and has surprisingly few repeats, myself being the 4th.

What is next?
Heading out now to have one more session on Necessary Evil (8c+) and will have some days climbing slightly easier routes in the Clear light.

Leaving for Spain on Tuesday! Hoping to try La Rambla if weather permits! Planning on 8 weeks right now.