9 January 2023
The top climbers over 40 for 2022
Here is our subjective list of the active 8a members aged 40+ crushing hard in 2022.
1. BJ Tilden (42) - USA
First 9a+ as well as first two 8B+ in 2022.
2. Chuck Odette (67) - USA
8a+ and 7B+ at age 67!
3. Daniel Fuertes (42) - ESP
The Spaniard continues to send 9a+' year after year. Last year, he also onsighted two 8b's.
1. Cathy Wagner (57) - FRA
The 57-year-old did her first 8a in 1993 and in 2022 she did 36 8a or 8a+. In total, she has now logged 868 and without all her personal grading, she would have been well over 900, which is the most in the world among females.
2. Julia Pfanzelt (52) - GER
Julia started climbing at age 32 and last year was on par with her best year ever. Interview from last august when she did an 8a+.
3. Delphine Chenevier (47) - FRA
Delphine is a former competition climber who did her first 8b+ and first 8a+ onsight in 2022.
1. BJ Tilden (42) - USA
First 9a+ as well as first two 8B+ in 2022.
2. Chuck Odette (67) - USA
8a+ and 7B+ at age 67!
3. Daniel Fuertes (42) - ESP
The Spaniard continues to send 9a+' year after year. Last year, he also onsighted two 8b's.
1. Cathy Wagner (57) - FRA
The 57-year-old did her first 8a in 1993 and in 2022 she did 36 8a or 8a+. In total, she has now logged 868 and without all her personal grading, she would have been well over 900, which is the most in the world among females.
2. Julia Pfanzelt (52) - GER
Julia started climbing at age 32 and last year was on par with her best year ever. Interview from last august when she did an 8a+.
3. Delphine Chenevier (47) - FRA
Delphine is a former competition climber who did her first 8b+ and first 8a+ onsight in 2022.
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Jorge Diaz-Rullo reports on Instagram that he has made the first ascent of Cafe Colombia in Margalef. At 27, heโs already stacked four 9b+ sends and now heโs adโฆ
26 January 2026
Sean Bailey FAโs Duality of Man (9c)
Sean Bailey reports on Instagram that he has done the first ascent of Duality of Man (9c) in Dry Canyon. โ After four total years and three seasons of climbing,โฆ
23 March 2026
Jorge Diaz-Rullo proposes 9c for Cafรฉ Colombia
Jorge Diaz-Rullo elaborates on the reasons for him to suggest 9c for Cafรฉ Colombia on Instagram, which he took down last week after projecting it for 240 sessioโฆ
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2 May 2022
Monkey From Hell 9a FA by BJ Tilden (41)
BJ Tilden has done the FA of Monkey From Hell (9a) in Sinks Canyon (WY), which is a sit start link up to an 8b+/c route he did in 2005. Insta video of the addedโฆ
Cathy Wagner has during the last 12 months done eight 8a+, out of which four in 2022. Her first 8a, was done in 1994! In total, the 56-year-old has done 844 routes 8a to 8b which should be most of all females and also her grade pyramid should be for the record books. It should be noted that a large โฆ
27 July 2022
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BJ Tilden, who previously has put up seven 9a FAs, has done the FA of Hard Twisted (9a+) in Wolf Point. "A connection of Lions share and Dire wolf with a significant section of new hard climbing. Very psyched on this one!!"
Impressively, the 41-year-old does normally manages to climb only two days aโฆ
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2 May 2022
Monkey From Hell 9a FA by BJ Tilden (41)
BJ Tilden has done the FA of Monkey From Hell (9a) in Sinks Canyon (WY), which is a sit start link up to an 8b+/c route he did in 2005. Insta video of the addedโฆ
Cathy Wagner has during the last 12 months done eight 8a+, out of which four in 2022. Her first 8a, was done in 1994! In total, the 56-year-old has done 844 routes 8a to 8b which should be most of all females and also her grade pyramid should be for the record books. It should be noted that a large โฆ
27 July 2022
Hard Twisted 9a+ FA by BJ Tilden (41)
BJ Tilden, who previously has put up seven 9a FAs, has done the FA of Hard Twisted (9a+) in Wolf Point. "A connection of Lions share and Dire wolf with a significant section of new hard climbing. Very psyched on this one!!"
Impressively, the 41-year-old does normally manages to climb only two days aโฆ
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Jorge Diaz-Rullo reports on Instagram that he has made the first ascent of Cafe Colombia in Margalef. At 27, heโs already stacked four 9b+ sends and now heโs adโฆ
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โI stopped focusing on competition bouldering after last yearโs World Cup in Prague, partly because I can already feel it on my body, especially in my shoulders. The modern competition style, with a lot of jumping from one hold to another, is very demanding for the shoulders.
Outdoor bouldering isโฆ