Jan Vopat has onsighted two 8a's and his first 8a+ in Geyik bayiri, Turkish Airways. By checking his impressive scorecard with 756 ascents, we can see that his focus has moved from toprope, from the age of five, to flash and now onsight. 8a believes that this is the way for kids and that they should be kept away from redpoint as long as possible.

What is the easiest bolted route in the world? The 8 meters long 1-2-3 ABC in Symplegades sector on Kalymnos should be a contender for this title. You can also do the top rope variation 4-5-6 DEF 2c to the right. In fact, it is also possible to do a variation to the left which makes it 1b+ :) In the new topo, Symplegades has already been said to be the best family crag on Kalymnos and, including also the new 5b, The double twins, just confirms it. The trend for parents to bring their small kids to the crag is just growing stronger but the ground under the routes is often not so nice for running around and playing hide and seek on Kalymnos. Symplegades, however, does the trick.

The 8a ticklists are based on 3.6 million ascents that will assist you in finding and climbing the best routes in the world. You can also check which routes have the highest onsight statistics or which routes have been done by kids, or have them sorted by grades etc. Have fun at the crag!

Michiel Nieuwenhuijsen has done The Island 8B+ in Fontainebleau. (c) Thomas Caleyron "One and a half year ago I tried the Island for the first time. Such an intense problem and maybe the best compression boulder in the world. Even I only have been there for 6 or 7 days, it has been on my mind since. Yesterday it went down, but this isn´t the end. The big Island always has been the main goal. It is time to go BIG! The 8C starts two moves lower Bad conditions kept me from going back to the Big Island this trip. But will be back in December for two weeks. ‬

Joe Kinder has had three amazing weeks in Villanueva del Rosario, famous for the 9b Chilam Balam, where he has done five 8c+'s: La Rubia, El Bushido de Shiva, La Chispa, Matar a Platón (©Javi Pec) and Chilam Balam R1. "Part one of the full rig. DAMN that was sweet... banged out the first gnar crux and made it happen. Barely. The try before I fell on the foot cut move. SO STOKED!!! One of my dream routes and I am on my way. Two more days to learn for my return."

Stefan Bednar has done his second 9a in Misja Pec, Martin Krpan. "cooolba ! :) again many thanks for support and music during ascent to : ClimbIstria.com, where we got the picture.

Adam Ondra: 30 Chris Sharma: 18 Ramon Julian: 12 Sachi Amma: 10 Alex Megos: 7 Dani Andrada: 6 Enzo Oddo: 4 Seb Blouin, Iker Pou, Jakob Schubert, Stefano Ghisolfi, Steve MC, Ethan Pringle, Dave Graham & Dani Woods: 3

Megan Mascarenas has done her second 8A flash, Chill Style in Elevenmile Canyon, and she is #3 in the 8a ranking game. Last month, the 17-year-old won the Adidas Rock Star and of the two World Cups she has done in 2015, she won one and was third in the other. In other words, there is no other male or female who has better competition statistics. (c) Eddie Fowke