Matteo Menardi has done his third 9a, Halupca 1979 in Osp/Misja Pec. "Super route, very overhanging". What are your winter and competition plans for next year? During this winter I will try some unfinished projects. But maybe, thanks to the good conditions, I will try some new routes in Osp Cave. I'm sure that, for the moment, I will climb outdoor. During next months I'm going to make a decision about competitions.

Jongwon Chon, the Boulder World Cup winner of 2016 who established an 8C in South Korea last month, reports on Facebook that he has done another 8C with the FA of Hymn in Mudeungsan National Park. He has told 8a his secrets previously, "I train 2 days and 1 day rest. First day 4 hours boulder training and 2 hours finger training/sloper training. Second day 4 hours boulder training and 2 hours weight training"

Domen Škofic reports on Facebook that Janja Garnbret has done the FA of Ninja Zelva 8c in Misja Pec. Shortly afterwards, Domen managed to do the second ascent. This is one of the hardest FAs ever made by a woman. Domen won the Lead world cup this year and he is also third in the 8a ranking game. Janja also won the female World Cup and the World Championship besides winning both lead and bouldering youth championships with authority. In the 8a Climber of 2016, Janja is #2 and her boyfriend Domen is #4. (c) Stanko Gruden

Jain Kim reports on Facebook that she has done Spicy Noodle 8c+ in Yangshuo on her second go. Earlier on the trip she flashed an 8c. Add to that one 8b+ redpoint and two 8a onsights. "It was huge present for me after the worldcup season." In the history books, Jain Kim is already a name in the competition arena and an 8c+ second go should be in the Top-10 most impressive female ascents ever.

Dreams of Granite • Eliot Stephens in Ticino, Switzerland from Eliot Stephens on Vimeo.

Dreams of Granite • Eliot Stephens in Ticino, Switzerland from Eliot Stephens on Vimeo.

The classic Mandala 8A+ in Bishop, which 132 ascents in the 8a data base, has got its third flash ascent, Alex Khazanov. The first two flashes of the Chris Sharma great problem were done by Tony Lamiche and Brian Voges. "Andy Lamb and Solomon Barth helped me during the ascent. Solomon did it on his first go this time so I pretty much saw the perfect beta. Unfortunately, as no one really expected this flash, I just have some phone pictures that Andy took on the first moves. In some point he had to come spot. Cant believe I have actually flashed it! A dream come true for me! Ever since I have seen the footage of Chris (Sharma) climbing it, I was dreaming to try it some day. What a feeling it was toping that boulder."