The IFSC Provisional Calendar for 2016 has been presented and it seems the Boulder eight WC's, compared to five in 2015, involve more travelling than ever. Also for the Lead, eight events are planned and seven out of the eight will be held in Europe. Complete calendar 2016. Bouldering 16 April Switzerland 23 April Japan 30 April China 13 May India 20 May Austria 04 June Canada 09 June USA 12 August Germany 14 - 18 September World Championship Paris Lead 02 July Canada 10 July France 22 July France 31 July Switzerland 19 August Austria 26 August Italy 24 September Great Britain 08 October China 12 November Slovenia

Jernej Kruder, who was #2 in the Bouldering World Championship in 2014, reports on Instagram with a great picture by Luka Tambaca that he has set a new personal best on his 25th birthday, "By far the hardest thing I ever sent. I won't consider it as a boulder, cause it's a 60+ moves long beast, so I just propose my personal grade as 9a+ route. For those who don't consider it as a route, you should call it a hard 8C boulder problem. Even though there are some small limitations it's still an astonishing line that I'm very proud of. Short description: 7C+ boulder problem into 13 long moves on quite good holds in almost a roof and straight to an 8A boulder problem in just two very difficult moves. After that you just need to be a bit focus for the last 7B+ boulder or you could say 8a route.

Adam Ondra is back on the track after an intensive competition year where he won in Lead and was #3 in Boulder. Yesterday he did the FA of Cizí agent 9a in Moravský kras, which actually was his 43rd 9a and harder FA. "Crazy humid morning, but I crimped hard enough. Super specific route on micro holds in the vertical wall."

Christof Rauch has done his tenth 8B+ in 2015, Traumschiff in Zillertal, which is kind of amazing as this year he also did his very first problem of this grade. "One of the best and hardest boulders in the valley. Amazing riverslopers and one really sharp crimp. Took me 4 sessions to complete." The 21-year-old is #2 in the world ranking game but when it comes to having done most 8A's and harder he is superior with almost 100 of them. Based on his trend diagram, showing extreme progress the Austrian has had in the last few years, there is a possibility that in a couple of years he could set new bouldering world standards.

The progression in the number of climbers sending a 9a+ sport route in a given year had been stagnant through 2014. Annually, approximately 10 individuals were able to reach this level. However, the total number never grew. This is in contrast to the 9a grade which has continuously been on the rise year to year. The good news is that this number has doubled for 2015 relatively to previous years. On the other hand, we have seen a stagnation in 8C boulder ascents. It just might be that sport climbing is once again becoming the preference for top climbers?

What are the most groundbreaking ascents in the history of climbing? Who was the most superior at a particular time? Only one ascent per climber and exclusion of bouldering. Here is the preliminary 8a list. 1. FA of Meltdown 8c+ trad by Beth Rodden in 2008 2. FA of The Nose 8b+ Bigwall FA by Lynn Hill in 1993 3. Lucifer 8c+ by Ashima Shiraishi (11) in 2012 4. Bain de Sang 9a by Josune Bereziartu in 2002 5. FA of Hubble 9a by Ben Moon in 1990 6. FA of Action Direct by Wolfgang Gullich in 1991 7. Martin Krpan 9a by Adam Ondra (13) in 1996 8. FA of Es Pontas 9b DWS by Chris Sharma in 2008 9. FA of Open Air 9a+ by Alex Huber in 1996 0. OS by Le roi du pétrole 8c by Charlotte Durif in 2010, OS of Estato Critico 9a by Alex Megos in 2013, The Dawn Wall 9a FA by Caldwell/Jorgeson in 2015

Stephan Schibli, who started climbing in 1989, made his personal best by completing the FA of Licht und Schatten 9a+ in Telli. The project took him around 50 sessions over three year period. The 44-year-old previously climbed three 9a's and his hardest route, not counting his own FA's, is an 8c. This also does not take into account Bang des Sang 9a, which he climbed on top rope in his third try. "I built the start of the route in my boulder room for my special training. The next climbing plan is the an 15 year open project in Telli and holiday in Sperlonga!!!"

Silvio Reffo, who previously completed nine 9a's or harder, repeated Stefano Ghisolfi's 40 m long line, Under Vibes 9a in Arco, which is a link-up of Underground 9a and Reinis Vibes 8c. In total, the Italian spent roughly 25 sessions on the two 9a's. "I'm really not sure about the degree of this route; some years ago when I tried Papichulo, a 9a+ very similar style to UnderVibes in Oliana, I felt the same feelings, so probably this route could be 9a/a+. I think for the moment that this line is the hardest resistance testpiece in Arco. Thanks to Francesca Simionato for the belay in a so freezing morning. Now I have some Projects in Slovenia and with the new year I'm going to go in Oliana.