Jorg Verhoeven does The Wheel of Life 8C

Jorg Verhoeven, one of the leading multi discipline climbers in the world, who won the Lead World Cup in 2008, reports on Facebook, "YEAH!! I climbed the Wheel of Life, one of my all time dream problems! After working the 60+ moves into perfection I gave it one good go a day and ended up on top on day 5. I took the full experience topping out at the highest point and thus adding a little spice to the end. I can't agree to a route grade, since it doesn't gain much height, nor needs rope or draws, and comparing it to other (only slightly) similar boulders it seems 8C would be fitting. Don't get me wrong, but similar to freeclimbing the Nose, I almost feel a little sad it's over..." (c) Jon Glassberg The FA was done in 2004 by Dai Koyamada, who gave it 8C+ grade but what Jorg did was a harder direct finish that James Kassay did the FA of, giving this harder variation also 8C+. Altogether, it has seen some ten repeats that also have been graded up to a 9a+ route grade.