NEWS

Austria Climbing Series
The semi final will be live streamed with a link here on 8a tomorrow starting at 9.00. More Info

8 July 2020

Women semifinal

Don't get too greedy 8B by Katie Lamb
Katie Lamb has done her second 8B in just a week, Don't get too greedy in RMNP. During the last two weeks, the 22-year-old has done two 8A+' and two 8B's and she is #12 in the monthly ranking game also including the male.

"It took me 4 sessions before I found my grip of life and destiny on the crux pinch. I was able to fly free on the crux move, and make a top. My friends were once again key to the send, a bunch of legends. They kept the angry marmot rodents away from the boulder and played My Song when I needed it most. In the end, I just needed to be less greedy :)"

Brooke Raboutou, who has qualified to Tokyo 2021, has done her fifth 8B during the last two months, Nuthin but sunshine in RMNP. Yesterday she also did The Centaur 8A+. In the monthly 8a ranking game, the 19-year-old is #1 and among the male, she is #10.

Stefano Carnati, World Youth Champion in 2013, has done his fourth 9a+, Jungle Boogie in Cรฉรผse which Adam Ondra put up in 2012. Last year, the Italian worked it for around ten days and this year it went down during a three day trip.

"25 really intense moves, on some of the sharpest crimps Iโ€™ve ever grabbed, without any rests, make up the first part of the route. The redpoint crux consists of a reachy lock off to a good two fingers pocket, which was not that hard for me to do individually, but coming from the ground it really became a struggle against finger numbness after so much crimping. Happily last Friday everything worked out all right! Reaching the jug at the end of this sequence was a moment of pure joy, but staying present on the upper easier 20 meters slab (no fall zone) without any more energies and sensation in my fingers was definitely the real mental challenge. And it lasted fifteen long minutes!" More info on his Insta

Giuliano Cameroni comments his latest 8C FA
Giuliano Cameroni, who previously has done 16 boulders 8C and harder, out of which five FA, comments his latest, Power of Now 8C.

"So psyched to have done this one, for sure one of the coolest boulders Iโ€™ve ever seen! Starts with a World Cup dihedral straight into a perfect dyno to a good hold, then a few set up moves on sculpted grips lead into the crux, a huge dynamic yet technical move to the lip. The wall is around 60 degrees, so although the holds are good they are so far apart that it didnโ€™t feel possible to stick the lip while cutting the feet. Having good sensations and enough tension on the right foot in order to stick the move became pretty mental. Getting there itโ€™s pretty hard already and the last move needs to be executed with the right flow.

The key was to focus on the moment. So many times on dynamic moves itโ€™s easy to start thinking. When you are free of thoughts and fear of messing up, you just focus on the now, which is an extra element that helps your way up to your climb. Being in the present moment is not only necessary in climbing but it helps life in general. It gives joy and takes away weird pressures from the egoistic mind. Meditation takes away negative ideas and helps to be in comfort with your whole body and respect nature and other people.

Stranger in a strange land 8A+ and two 8A's by Alex Puccio
Alex Puccio has had a great day up at the Hallet in RMNP, doing Stranger in a strange land 8A+ located at 3 700 meter. Since May, the 31-year-old has done 20 boulders 8A to 8B+ and the runner up in the world championship in 2014 is #1 in the female ranking game which she has been for almost seven years straight. (c) Robin O'Leary

"I tried this boulder one day when I was 20 years old so 11 years ago and fell on the last move. Went back for the first time since then today and sent 2nd try from the start! Also sent the other 2 V11โ€™s on the wall really quick today as well! Great day out! Full value up there!!!" The two 8A's she refers to are, Bring the ruckus and Traverse into fireball, the latter she did second go.

โ€The hike isnโ€™t too long, like 1.5 hours, but the last 40 minutes is straight uphill on smaller loose rocks and there isnโ€™t really a trail. Sometimes there is a little social trail or some cairns that will mark the โ€œeasierโ€ way. Lol

Itโ€™s this HUGE boulder at the base of this big-wall, that people climb, and sits right on top of this huge hill with a little stream that kind of flows around the boulder and comes into a waterfall that flows down the cliff face and ends into a Emerald lake. The climbs on the boulder are of top quality and really fun. There is even a 5.13b sport route on the boulder. Lol Itโ€™s for sure one of the best blocks in RMNP because of everything it has to offer, the hike, the view, the climbing, all of it!โ€


On her Insta, she comes forward what it really meant to her;

"Our brains are what makes us, us, so they are extremely important so treat it with great care! I am a person that suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, sometimes out of know where it feels like, and I know when I have been in a constant state of anxiety for weeks inside I need to find a mentally happy and stable place to calm down and recharge my mind. For me to be able to face tough situations again I need to be in a good and healthy state of mind! โ˜บ๏ธ For me, being out in the mountains alone with my best friend, @robinoleary, is my personal sanctuary and recharging station. I can then show back up ready for what life has for us to face. I am then ready to help and be present!"

Locked Out and Loathing in Margalef
Advertorial: Tenaya athlete Alex Megos on his memorable mission to climb Perfecto Mundo (9b+/5.15c).

At first, this might sound like one of those boring trips, the type where someone goes somewhere, climbs something hard, and thatโ€™s it. And this trip totally could have been one of those, but this time it was not as expected. Stuck in Spain without climbing gear, and without camera gear, too. Off to a good start which would lead to one of the most memorable sport climbing trips Alex has ever had. Read the full story

Scarred for life 8A+ by Marine Thevenet
Marine Thevenet, who has done some 40 boulders 8A to 8B, reports on Instathat she has done her probably hardest boulder ever, Scarred for Life 8A+ in Fionnay. (c) Clement Lechatpois

"The first time I tried the boulder, it seemed impossible: I had no chance to do the long key move because of my height; but after some sessions, I found another beta by crimping a slippery foot-hold on the edge of the first mantle!"