Heither Weidner has done China Doll 8b+ R on trad in Boulder Canyon. The R stands for that it is risky due to poor gear and long in between. "Combined pitch one (13c) and pitch 2 (13d) on gear. Used one fixed pin and one fixed nut on the extension. Started on 5.7 solo traverse. I can't believe I did this!!! My biggest climbing accomplishment to date. Huge thanks to Chris for the countless belays, I've been working this just over a year. Dream come true!!!" Heither is the fourth female to reach 8b+ at trad after Lynn Hill did it in 1993, Beth Rodden in 2008 (8c+) and Barbara Zangerl in 2014. Interview is coming up. (c) Jon Glassberg/Louderthan11, who is making a feature film of her accomplishment.

Laura Rogora, the regining Italian Champion in both Lead and Boulder, trains at a small gym outside Rome. - It took me about 15-20 tries in one month and half. I went to Sperlonga seven times. I didn't do a specific training for this route because my purpose is training for competition.

The Alex Megos Formula | Episode II - Friction from madebynomads on Vimeo.

Sharma bolted it ground up, which in it self is amazing as the pitches are thought to be as follows: 6c, 9a, 8b, 8c, 8c, 7b, 8c+. In total some 250 meters.

Isabelle Faus has done two 8B's, The Automator in RMNP and Evil Backwards in Mt Evans. During the last year, she has done one 8B+, five 8B's and nine 8A+'s and she is the new #1 in the 8a ranking game. - I think my progress is a result of just doing my own thing and enjoying climbing, quitting competition climbing has helped me the most I was always to focused in the gym, trying hard but not really accomplishing anything, and even if I did well in a competition it wasn't satisfying because in the end it is just plastic. Climbing on rock means new experiences every day and that keeps it fun and motivating for me.

Pirmin Bertle has done South America's first 9a, video, Azul es el cielo de los ciegos (Blue is the sky of the blind) in Patagonia. Last year he did first a 8C+ FA and in November a 9b FA. Then he took the boat from Italy to Buenos Aires for some real family adventure. Full story and pictures on his blog, which finishes like this: "The causal game. My baby is sleeping on the canyons ground, my cheering rather soft, more of relieve than happiness. What kind of a struggle! What logistic strain. To get for more than 30 tries, 12 days, 4km deep into this volcanic crack. 4km back, sometimes at night. And Jules, our 4 years old son, who walks this distance not only once all on his own. He is the true star in this story. My girlfriend and my baby girl. Thank you my family! Love you so much."

Jongwon Chon, the #1 in IFSC Bouldering ranking, has flashed Bear toss 8B in RMNP. Next day he did Jade 8B+ in his third go. Later he took a 7 meter fall and had to go to hospital for some stitching. © Eddie Fowke/The Circuit Climbing has the story. - Walking a cliff edge path between boulders a hold broke and pitched him 20 feet off a cliff. Luckily his years of bouldering experience saved him from major damage. He's incredibly lucky to get away with some nasty cuts.

Azul es el cielo de los ciegos - South America's first 9a in Piedra Parada, Argentina. from Pirmin Bertle on Vimeo.

Mateusz Haladaj delivers a great and interesting story from his second 9a+, First Ley in Margalef.