David Bermudez Carbonell, who did 13 routes 8c or 8c+ in 2023, has sent Esclatamasters (9a) in Perles & Canelles. (c) Sputnik Climbing

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
This week I am with my parents on holiday. The first day we went to Oliana and I could do Fish eye 8c on my second go. The next days I tried Esclatamasters and I progressed really fast on the route and finally on my 6th attempt in total I could send it. Today I had to make a strategy because it was very hot and this route has a slab with very small holds that require a cold temperature. Anyway, the route is amazing and combines an overhanging and physical part with a very technical slab. I am very happy!! Now, I will enjoy the rest of the days trying to climb onsight.


When David did his first 8c+, last spring, we asked his mother Isabel what a normal climbing week looks like. “David normally trains in a climbing wall 3 times a week. He loves to do infinite movement traverses, although he trains in a self-taught way. The climbing wall where we train has nothing to do with the current climbing walls, it is a climbing wall set up by a group of climbers with density walls very focused on the transfer to the rock. Nobody tells David what he has to do and he decides what he will do each day. Without a trainer, nutritionists or psychologists... [This has changed as he since couple of months he is part of Sputnikclimbing.]

He is also passionate about watching videos of climbers of all times and loves to climb everywhere in the house (including the living room table 😂). His talent, motivation and passion for climbing make him achieve the accomplishments he is making with his small stature and young age (13 years old). Best of all, he always enjoys the process.

David climbs every weekend and is a climber who always gives his all, he climbs at the top of his game on every pitch. He has a lot of endurance and self-confidence. So as soon as he finds the right method to solve the hardest pitches on the routes, he never fails.

He loves to onsight climb, and although we usually climb on weekends regularly in Cuenca, he usually tries some onsight climbing (below his grade) before trying his project. Also when we go on a climbing trip on holidays, he always climbs onsight.”

Carte Blanche (8a), in Céüse, is the most logged 8a in the database with currently 808 ascents, out of which 70 onsights and 61 flashes. Eliah Georgi has uploaded the picture of the classical route that T Volpiatto put up in 1989.

In total, there are now over 8 million ascents in the database which can guide you to find the best routes and boulders in the world. Click on Explore and start searching the highest quality routes and start planning your next trip.

We've just reached the next milestone in our endeavor to unify 8a.nu and the Vertical-Life App: the open beta version for Android is now released, and we invite you all to test it and kindly ask for your feedback. Click here to become a beta tester and please send your feedback to [email protected].

The beta version synchronizes the VL and 8a.nu logbooks, all ascent data, and the full outdoor content. All logbooks in the app contain all ascents that were/are added via 8a.nu or the VL app. As an 8a user, you will find all your ascents and your profile on the app. All future ascents you add will show up in the logbook in both places. Note that the current 8a.nu does not display the synced logbook yet. Ascents added via the app in the past will show up with the next web release.

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Gio Placci, who did four 9a+' in 2022, has repeated Daniel Woods’ 4-Lo (8C) in Valle Bavona. ”Soft with the new beta. Three days of tries. Really fun climb.”(c) Crimp Films

What was the new beta you used?
The Woods’ beta was to make the first move with the knee bar. The new beta is to do also the second move with the knee bar.

What is coming up next?
I’m training for the lead World Cup right now, doing a lot of spray wall. I am really excited for the Lead season. In between I go some days to Bavona. I would like to send Captain Nemo (8C) and Primitivo (8C).

Why did you not compete or log any routes in 2023?
I had a finger tendon injury until September. I could train a bit but avoid crimps. It was the hardest period in my life and now I am so happy to be able to climb and train again. In October, I started to train hard again and step by step get back in shape. I decided with my coach to first build the strength. I came back in shape in about 30 days.

In the last ten weeks, the Italian has also logged five 8B+, including The Story Of 2 Worlds (8C). Noteworthy is also that he finished the competition season 2022 by being #21 in Edinburgh.

Gergő Vályi jumps two grades by doing Estado critico (9a) in Siurana. The 19-year-old Hungarian has won six European Youth Cups and has previously sent six 8c’s.

Can you tell us more about the ascent and your trip?
It is my first time in Spain, and I came here with a campervan for a month. My main goal was Estado Critico because I haven't climbed 9a before and I thought, this 35-meter-long endurance climbing would be perfect for me. I needed 7 tries for the send. After the 6th try, when I fell from the last hard move, I knew, I would send it the next day. I am really happy to send one of the king lines of Siurana. And now, in the next weeks, I will try to climb a lot of routes between 8a and 8c, and check the moves in something harder for which I will come back.

What are your 2024 plans?
I will compete on the lead world cups and I really hope to make it to the semifinal and I want to climb more outdoors and climb some more 9a or harder.

Adam Ondra flashed Peščena ura (9a) in October which he considers his second hardest flash. ”Freak moment to stick the crux move at the start! Thanks Jernej!!” Jernej Kruder put it up in 2020 and he was on hand giving Adam beta, and he first showed him the dyno crux. Adam's flash was also the first repeat of this route.

Sera Gearhart has completed Power Slave (8A+) in Red Rock (NV). The 26-year-old is #6 in the 8a ranking game after having done eight boulders 8A+ or 8B the last 12 months.

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
I thought Power Slave was really hard. Last season I fell off the end move really late in the year and it got too hot to come back. This year I thought it would be easier but every move still felt like effort. I fell off the last move again the session before sending. Two of my friends Allison and Lucy encouraged me to try the feet first beta for the end because it's much less powerful. I reworked the end beta this way and then struggled to even get there once. I finally sent almost 5 hours into the session, the second time making it through the crux.

Iris Bielli has repeated Stefano Carnati’s Endangered (8c) in Canzo. “The climbing is technical on small, slippery holds that require cold temperatures and crispy air. On Saturday, I finally found the perfect conditions and was able to climb this beautiful line. (8 tries in total).”

What is your climbing background?
I started climbing at the age of 14 after practising artistic gymnastics for several years. Initially, I only used to go climbing at the crag and in the gym, but then, after three years, I discovered multi-pitch climbing and became passionate about it. I like visiting new places and experiencing the feeling of freedom and emptiness under my feet while climbing big walls. I currently study Environmental engineering at university and in my free time I mostly enjoy onsight climbing and challenging myself on slab and technical routes.

William Bosi has sent Sleepwalker (8C+) in Black Velvet Canyon. It was set up as an 8C+ in 2019 by James Webb and the grade was confirmed multiple times until Zander Waller found a new sequence and gave it 8C. After Bosi having sent it on his first go on the third session, he thinks it was an 8C challenge for him. ”Incredible boulder! So psyched to send this king line! Now onto the sit.”

The Sit is Daniel Woods’, not yet repeated, Return of the Sleepwalker (9A).