James Pearson has been on a exploring trip to Zaghouan in North Eastern Tunisia. - Up until now, the climbing has been mostly developed by visiting Europeans, but after learning the ropes, the young and motivated local outdoor community have taken over the reigns, and development is continuing at a fast pace. The first guidebook is almost ready to be produced, and will include almost 200 routes split over several crags. The crags themselves are a very varied bunch, from steep tufa covered caves, to long, technical multi-pitch slabs. Walk-ins range from 5 to 45 minutes, with several of the cliffs even accessible by walking right out of the town. There is a lot of potential for bolting on the existing crags, and even finding whole new ones. Right now the majority of the routes are in the 6's and low end 7's. There are a few harder routes, mostly equipped by the petzl team, right up to 8c/+ but I don't know if they have all been climbed or just bolted? The rock seemed quite similar to that of Antalya, in that it is a little bit soft and dusty at first, but cleans up great with traffic. Accommodation can range from very cheap hostel style rooms, to luxurious themed hotels. The climbing tourism there is in the very early staged of development, so don't expect anything like Kalymnos of Antalya, but of those looking for a little more adventure, or just somewhere a little quieter, it would make for a fun little trip. More info

Ashima Shiraishi reported on Instagram that she had sent Terre de Sienne during her first day in Hueco Tanks. It was set up by Fred Nicole as a hard 8B+ but now it is considered an 8B. She also made a quick ascent of Diaphanous Sea 8A. The 14-year-old sent one 8B+ boulder previously (UKC reports four) and one 9a+ sport route. In fact, Ashima has had the most impressive combined female tick list for the last two years. It should be noted, originally both of these great boulders had a higher grade, however, we are reporting the consensus 8a grade.

Makoto Yamauchi and Ryuichi Murai, two of the most promising Japanese boulderers, have signed up. Both 21-year-old have done Dai Koyamada's Orochi 8C in Konoto out of which Makoto did it in second go. Ryuichi is #16 and Makoto, on the picture, #22 in the ranking game and they are a part of the new generation of highly motivated and super strong Japanese climbers. It might be that within three years there will be 20 Japaneses doing 8C's.

Loic Zehani has done the FA of Carnaval 9a in Cevennes. The route, which is a link up of two 8b+'s, took him seven sessions. The 14-year-old has done one 9a previously and gave it a personal grade of 8c+. "The route is an amazing big overhang (20 meters with 12 meters of overhang). The first pitch was bolted by Jean-Marc Oberli (8b+).This part is almost in roof with crimpy crux and a hard part with little tufas and the second pitch was bolted by my father (It is 8b+ too but with many two fingers Pocket in very big overhang). There is no rest beetween. The difficulty of the route is the big level of stamina. I am so happy because during the last days I think about this route all the time...even at the school!

Fanatic climbing reports on Facebook that Carole Palmier has done her first 8c+, La Rubia in Vilanueva del Rosario.
Photo: Henning Wang / Madskills Media "I'm so glad to have sent "La rubia", for me one of the nicest routes of Spain, bolted by Christian Lupion. I was dreaming about this line all the year et after 2 weeks of hard work I did it finally. It's a 50 meters routes in the Chilam balam cave.

Jacopo Larcher has wwritten a nice story in the North Face Journal about a successful ascent of the 30 pitches of El Nino 8b in Yosemite, which took a week. (c) François Lebeau

Megan Mascarenas has done her fifth 8A+ for 2015, William Shatner in Newlin Creek and is currently #3 in the female ranking game. "one of my absolute favorite climbs in the world." Having won Adidas Rock Star and one World Cup, Megan has an even more impressive 2015 competition record. Her worst 2015 international result is #3 in a WC.

James Webb has done three 8B+'s in ten days including the FA of Kings of contortion in Obed. "Another day and another classic hardline for the southeast! This one 'kings of Contortion' v14 has to be one of the funkiest roof lines I've done. Big up to @sendclimbing for hookin me up with the best knee pad on the market making this rig possible! So psyched to add another stunner FA to my homeland. @paulrobinson87 also hooked it up for the 2nd ascent shortly after. Not a bad day in the woods!" Meanwhile, the #3 in the ranking game has also done another five FAs graded 8A and harder. The picture from his Instagram, which is loaded with great pics.

Ramon Julian, the best combined rock and competition climber of the last ten years, has done the FA of Ficció digital 9a in Berga. "Good route bolted by Oriol Maraver." Last week he also opened one 8c+ and onsighted Corrida 8c in Osp/Misja Pec. In total, the 159 cm tall climber has done 45 routes 9a and harder. The only climber to exceed him is Adam Ondra who has sent 110 routes 9a and harder.