Enrique Beltrán Blasco, who sent his first two 9a+’ three months ago, has done The Full Journey (9b) in Margalef. It was bolted by Tom Bolger and Alex Megos did the first ascent in 2022. (c) Jorge Diaz-Rullo

Can you tell us more about doing your first 9b and the process behind?
To be honest, I didn’t choose that route for any particular reason. I’d been climbing at Finestra for a year and a half, so it was the logical next step.

The full journey is divided in two parts. The 9a+ first anchor has a very prominent boulder problem where two holds broke, making it harder now. It has a stamina section that leaves you tired by the time you reach a good rest halfway through. That’s where the second pitch begins: three very dynamic moves that lead you to the boulder problem of the second part, a small crimp with a heel and a one-finger hold. From there, it’s eight moves of pure endurance where you can fall many times.

The process was quick as I was very adapted to the wall. Also, January and February, when it rained a lot, I took advantage of the time to train and felt very fit. From the first day, I was able to make quality attempts.

The most difficult thing has been managing my time. I work as a route setter which takes up a lot of my time and is difficult to juggle. It stressed me out not having many days to send it, but at the same time, it made me very motivated. Focused on the task and making the most of my attempts.

I think it might be 9b but to be honest I’m a bit lost regarding grades right now. I feel very fit and well adapted, and if three references like Megos, Stefano, and Jorge say it’s 9b, it might be, but to be honest, I’m very lost when it comes to grading.

What is next?
The main objective was to do a 9b, not this specific line, but it was certainly the logical thing to do. I’ve started trying a bit of Perfecto Mundo. In summer I will do a specific training for this but now I’m more focused on the upcoming season of work and training. I’ll be setting the routes for the Madrid Bouldering World Cup, so I’ll have to train a bit.

Marco Müller, who last month sent his first 8C+, has completed Captain Nemo (8C) in Valle Bavona. It is an 8B+ sit start into a good knee bar followed by Finding Nemo (8A+) that was put up by Pietro Vidi two years ago.

Can you tell us more about the ascent and the process behind?
I started trying the boulder back in November. I struggled a lot with the first two moves back then. After the rainy winter, I returned in February and March, and the starting moves felt better. I managed to climb through the first part twice but fell on the stand start, “Finding Nemo,” as it’s quite hard to have much body tension left when coming from the ground. I finally made it through the boulder last weekend, feeling more refreshed :)

How many sessions did it take and what about special training during the period?
I think it took me 9 sessions. Between November and February, I climbed a lot outdoors in Bishop and Cresciano. I guess this was my special training ;)

Michiel Nieuwenhuijsen has repeated Giuliano Cameroni’s Baby Shark (8C) in Tegna and here is the Instagram video. ”Super cool little boulder in the most chill location ever. Crazy marble [like] holds, one little mistake and you slip. I think I never found anything that suits me as good as this one: low foot and crazy heels.”

The 39-year-old, who is 187 cm tall, is peaking, having sent ten 8B+ boulders and harder over the past year and a half.

How was the process taking it down?
It is located on a unique place that feels a bit like a beach. All the way down in the valley near Locarno. The downside of it is that it is warm there, so I had to wait most of the day for the temps to drop a bit (it is in the shade all day, but still). When it is ideal climbing weather that is kinda weird (for me). So keeping calm and focussed was key.

The boulder itself is on the most slippery marble-like rock. For both hands and feet it is super important to be precise. For me, that made the first few moves the most difficult.

How can you best explain your recent peak?
I don't know if I am at my best right now, hard to say. But I feel good and as long I can stretch this shape for a few more years I would be happy.

How does a normal climbing week look like and how much outdoors?
Usually 4x on the local spraywall and a day of setting. Nothing special hahaha. I do change a spray sesh for a Kilter every once in a while.

We don't have any rock in the Netherlands. So a day outside is not an option. I usually go on multiple trips a year. I prefer a week over a few weekends.

Iris Bielli, who in January sent her first 8c+, has completed Riti Tribali (8c) in Angelone on her 13th go.

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
Overhanging climbing and, in general, any move that requires a minimum of strength or dynamism, isn't exactly my strong suit. I've always preferred technical climbing on vertical terrain: that's where I feel capable and comfortable. Being completely denied in terms of physical strength, unable, to this day, to link six pull-ups in a row, I've often avoided leaving my comfort zone, convinced that progress was nearly impossible for me. A few weeks ago, however, finally driven by curiosity, I decided to test myself on Riti Tribali: a rather physical and overhanging line at Specchio del Grifone. The first attempt was brutal, but I didn't want to give up, and by trying a little more those moves that had seemed inconceivable at first glance, I soon managed to internalize them and then, with unexpectedly rapid progress, to execute them with ease, or almost.

So, last Tuesday, I completed a nice project that reminded me how much you can improve even where you feel incapable, and that often the hardest thing to overcome isn't a physical obstacle but a mental block.

Stefano Ghisolfi, who did his first 8C+ last month, has sent The Story Of 2 Worlds (8C) in Cresciano. First ascended by Dave Graham in 2005, the name was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the grade inflation debate at the time, something Graham later addressed in follow-up statements as well as down grading many of his hardest ascents, that helped curb the trend. Today, some have called it a soft 8C due to the use of kneepads. (c) Sara Grippo

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
I tried it for 4 days. I struggled a lot on the first shoulder move and had to find a beta that worked well for me, but I kept falling a lot there.

How crucial is it to use a kneepad?
In this boulder probably doesn't change much, it just makes the first moves before the shoulder a bit faster and easier. Someone says it's an easy 8C, I say there's no such a thing as easy 8C 😅

Jorge Diaz-Rullo elaborates on the reasons for him to suggest 9c for Café Colombia on Instagram, which he took down last week after projecting it for 240 sessions. (c) Adri Martinez

”Proposing a grade for a first ascent is never easy, especially for a project that has pushed me to my limit for years. I feel a great sense of responsibility, particularly since this is one of the hardest routes in the world, so I think it’s worth taking the time to stop and reflect carefully.

Before making a grade proposal, I’ve tried to set my emotions aside and be as analytical as possible. I’ve also asked for other people’s opinions, because in a way, something like this feels bigger than me. Even so, I admit I still have doubts, and I’m sure I still will until more climbers are able to try it and share their views.

The route has taken me to a level of effort I have never experienced before, both physically and mentally. Factors like conditions and skin added a level of complexity that led to many more days of work, and although they are not directly reflected in the grade itself, they are hard to separate completely from the overall experience of the route. In any case, it felt significantly harder than the 9b+ routes I’ve done before.

Based on my experience, there’s a part of me that feels it could be harder than 9c. Even breaking it down into sections and using tools like Darth Grader, the results point towards 9c+. But I don’t really know what 9c+ feels like. I don’t even have a clear idea of what 9c/+ would feel like. So I don’t think it would be reasonable to propose a grade like that.

For all these reasons, I’ve decided to propose 9c. I believe it’s the most honest and logical option, as it reflects a clear step up from the hardest routes I’ve done so far.

Beyond the grade, what truly makes me happy is having achieved something like this. Now I am excited and looking forward to future repeats and to hearing what other climbers think about the grade.”

Michaela Kiersch, who moved to Innsbruck in November, has made a trip to Arco and quickly done Pungitopo (8c+). It was bolted by Francesco Morandi and then Adam Ondra did the first ascent in 2022. Interestingly, everyone who has star rated it, has given it five stars.

The Doctor in Hand Therapy has climbed more than 20 routes from 8c+ to 9a+ and around 20 boulders between 8B and 8C, almost all in the last five years. At 31, her progression has been nothing short of meteoric. (c) Kevin McNally

Can you tell us more about the trip and the ascent?
I went to Arco for a quick weekend trip to enjoy some sunshine. Pungitopo is such a beautiful line so naturally it was on my list for years. Once I figured out my beta for the bouldery crux it went down in a few tries. The hardest move for me was the iron cross in the bottom, I think if my ape index was even 1 cm shorter I might not have been able to span it.

Dylan Chuat, who last year sent four routes 9a+ or 9b, has done the first ascent of Vénèr à Sion (9a) in Sion. ”First route in the 9th grade of the cliff! It starts with a classic 6b of the cliff until you reach this beautiful overhang. You begin with a few movements without using your feet, then 3-4 moves to reach a crux that really requires core strength, leading up to this last big move! I probably don’t have the best methods, so I can’t wait to see the next repeaters. The hard section is really cool and fun to climb.” (c) Antoine Mesnage

Stefano Ghisolfi, who has climbed five 8C boulders and above in the past nine months, has now repeated Dreamtime (8C) in Cresciano. At 33, Ghisolfi has established himself as one of the world’s top route climbers over the past decade, with four 9b+ ascents to his name. On the competition circuit, he has claimed six World Cup titles, including the overall crown in 2021. (c) Sara Grippo

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
I tried it once around 15 years ago but just out of curiosity, without any chance. I decided to try it again this year more seriously and went for the crimps beta after four sessions.

What is next and what about comps in 2026?
The Story Of 2 Worlds (8C) and maybe Story of Three Worlds (8C+)! I'll compete in just a few selected comps in Europe, and in the Euro championship in Lead.