All climbers - from seasoned big wall experts to indoor beginners - are invited to complete the International Climbers’ Survey 2019. The survey, published by Vertical-Life in collaboration with the IFSC, is intended to learn more about all climbers’ interests and behaviors in outdoor and indoor climbing. With the Olympics 2020 around the corner, climbing is in the midst of a period of significant changes, such as urbanisation and rapid growth. We would like to find out what climbers love about their sport and how they feel about these developments. Your reward for completing the survey is a voucher for one month of free access to all digital climbing guides on the Vertical-Life app. Additionally, many other great prizes from FiveTen, Salewa and Zlagboard will be raffled off among the participants. Completing it should take no more than 20 minutes. A summary of key results will be shared by Vertical-Life via selected media outlets.

Sam Weir has done his third 8C, The Nest in Red Rocks. Video is coming up and detailed story and more pics on his Insta. "Best boulder I have ever climbed on. Nice v10/11 intro into a one move v12 to a finsh v8 for me. I ended up using daniels beta which uses a 1/4 pad crimp and a one arm pull up. I was not sure this was going to go with all the bad weather but I got one lucky day and it went all nice and chill. Thanks John Sara and Pablo for all the sike and hiking up to wet and un-cliambable condition. Upper end 8C I believe. The BAR. Kinda of like Hypno where it is easy to get close to sending this but its NAILS to actually send."

Drew Ruana, reports on Insta, including a video, that he had a last day best day after a hail mary work before, sending first the stand of Trieste 8B+ and later also the sit 8C. "Mad props to @paulrobinson87 for the FA of this beauty! Definitely the hardest bloc I’ve done yet!" (c) Brennan Robinson When will you start preparing for the Continental Olympic qualification? I don't think I'm gonna compete because I'm just climbing outside now. Earlier this autumn Drew was #13 in the Combined World Championship and as it stands, he could be the one getting the Tripartite ticket to Tokyo. However, if anyone from the USA qualifies through the Continental Championship next spring, the USA has filled their country quota. In practice, Drew will make it to Tokyo if a Canadian wins (or a runner-up after Sean McColl). The idea with the Tripartite ticket is to invite an athlete from a "micro" Olympic nation but as no such athlete did participate in the World CH, it will be given to the next in line from the World CH, respecting the country quota.

IFSC has published the Calender for the European Youth Cups as well as the Euro and World Championships. Here is the list excluding the event with only Speed. 25/4 Trondheim (NOR) - Bouldering (B) 09/5 Soure (POR) - B 16/5 Graz (AUT) - B 30/5 Sofia (BUL) - B 12/6 Imst (AUT) Lead & Speed 20/6 Ostermundigen (SUI) Lead 03/7 Puurs (BEL) Lead & Speed 23-31/08 World Youth Championship Voronezh (RUS) 22-28/10 European Youth Championship Perm (RUS)

Stefano Carnati, who ten days ago did Dreamtime 8C (B+), has done Dave Graham's classical, The Story Of 2 Worlds8C in Cresciano. The video on his Insta shows the new kneebar beta in the start and also the upside down climbing in the end. "Did The Dagger a few years ago and briefly tried the sit a couple of times this year. Climbed today after a long session. Possibly easier with all the new betas." The name of Graham's FA from 2005, did refer to the grade inflation which basically was stopped due to this boulder. Some thought it was 8C+ at the time. Possibly one reason for the grade inflation back then was that very few did suggest downgrades although better beta was found.

The first climbing photo book mapping 2 years of Adam’s life has just been released! The book contains a series of unpublished climbing and lifestyle pictures that are accompanied by authentic texts by Adam Ondra. Here you can buy if for Euro 55. Although a Coffee Table Book, for me all his stories were of greater interest. Sure, Adam is obsessed but not just with improving and performing like most. Instead, it seems he genuinely enjoys everything about climbing including reading old school topos at age 7 and bolting by himself in the middle of the night in Flatanger. In between he describes some of the ingredients that fulfill his climbing lifestyle. Sure he knows that he is gifted but it might be reading his thinking you will understand why he has been the best climber in the world for many years know.

Alizée Dufraisse, who previoulsy has done two 9a's, has done Meadowlark Lemon Stand 8B (A+) in Red Rocks. (c) Dave Graham "I am happy because it is a very beautiful boulder. It means for me that I can continue harder and try the sit start (8B+), which is definitely the inspiring line. It is a fragile boulder, so I did not had the chance to do a lot of sessions on it, but it seems the weather will be on our side for the end of the trip.

Vadim Timonov who just did his sixth 8C, The Kingdom has done Fred Nicole's classical Dreamtime 8C (B+) in Cresciano. (c) Leo Zhukov "I spent three sessions. The first was wet but I did all the moves. The second was good, I was so close but heel hook moves were not stable. The third session was good. 2nd go from the start. In my opinion, it’s a normal 8C. The Kingdom was easier for me. Tomorrow I want to try Off The Wagon. I have time until the 15th of January. I don’t have a house after the 18th of December and don’t have plans. Maybe we will leave to Murgtal or Fontainebleau, or stay here in the car if we can’t find something ;)