26 February 2019

Progressive grade development

99boulders have updated their data in regards the hardest climbs in the world. In total, there are now 81 different climbers who have done 9a+ which can be compared with 128 boulderers who have done 8C. This suggest that the grade difference at the top level is around 2.5 grades. It should be mentioned that the history shows that in between 10 - 40 % of the new hardest climbs normally gets down graded. In 5-10 years, it is most likely that the 9a+ and 8C lists would probably mention 70 + 100 ascents. What also is interesting is the graph presenting the route progressive grade development and it is more or less the same grapph for bouldering especially if we look at the 8C+ level.
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