Newly Published "World's Hardest Problems"

Boulder99 has made an update of, "The World's hardest Boulder Problems", listing 40 8C/+ and harder. Interestingly, more than half of them have been put up since 2019. In only the last three years, in spite of the Covid-19 restrictions, more than 200 8C's have been logged.

Based on the stats, Daniel Woods is the most accomplished boulderer in the world with six 8C+ ascents, out of which four are FA's, plus his 9A FA, The Return of the Sleepwalker. Runner-up is Jimmy Webb with five 8C+ ascents.

The first 8C+ proposal was made by Boulder World Champion Mauri Calibani for his Tonino 78 in 2004. This boulder has later been called 8C/+. Up until ten years ago, there were only another eight ascents of 8c+ or harder. Since then, we have seen a dramatic increase with eight such ascents in 2017, 20 ascents in 2020, and 23 in 2021. As it stands there are 33 climbers who have bouldered 8C+. Further interesting stats include the fact that 10 of the hardest listed boulder problems are found in the USA, followed by 7 in Switzerland and 5 in Japan and as well as France.

Statistically speaking, one-third of the highest graded boulder problems are typically downgraded, and there are likely several unreported cutting edge boulder problems out there as well as some that will be upgraded. Thus, it's likely the current published list will look slightly different in a few years time.