Aaron Pardy

Alex Megos made the first ascent of two V14 (8B+) boulders in Norway – Norwegian Sky and Schattenspiel – within a few days. Norwegian Sky is crimpy and very dynamic with a huge throw on immaculate, wavy rock. Schattenspiel is more of a journey, with many moves on very steep terrain. “I got pointed towards this project by a couple of people, so I went to check it out,” said Megos of Norwegian Sky. “The boulder, the location and the moves did not disappoint! After spending a couple of hours on the first move I stuck it, only to realize…

After inviting Adam Ondra to try his project and watching him make the first ascent, Šindel has clipped the chains three years later

She has climbed more routes at these elite grades than any other woman

Pepa Šindel recently sent Ratatouille 5.14d (9a) in Slovakia. It is his 21st climb of the grade – he also has four 5.15a’s and one 5.15b on his resume). Bu

Laura Rogora made history a couple of weeks ago when she climbed 5.15c faster than anyone ever has with her ascent of Bibliographie in Céüse, France. She a

Jorge Díaz-Rullo has just flashed Jaro V13 (8B) in Cercedilla, Spain. It's the Spanish climber's second flash of the grade – he flashed his first V13 earlier this year. “Making the most of the cool morning breeze to try one of the boulders that was on my list,” said Díaz-Rullo on Instagram. “First ascended by Nacho Sánchez, explosive and only 3 moves long, it was a tough challenge for me. This time everything just flowed and luck was on my side. Definitely an easy one for the grade, but I'm really happy to see some improvements after more than a…

After a successful trip to Rocklands, Iagnemma made a probable second ascent in Italy

Elias Iagnemma recently repeated Christian Core's Pilgrim. Located at Rifugio di Barbara near Turin, Italy, Core established the problem over 20 years ago, suggesting a grade of V13 for his first ascent. If no hold breakage has occurred since the first ascent, this would mean that the problem was potentially one of the hardest in the world when it was put up, as no V16 had yet to be established. Gioia, a Core problem in Varazze, Italy, is considered by many to be the world's first V16. Core established it in 2008, suggesting V15. Adam Ondra repeated it in 2011…

Adam Ondra went out for a bouldering session in Toit d'Orsay in France. He had his sights set on a V14 flash, but ended up making a V14/15 (8B+/C) first ascent instead. He called the problem Little Boy du Fond, and says it is V14/15, “or soft [V15] if you don't believe in slash grades”. The boulder is very much an Ondra-style problem. It features wild 360-degree rotations, a dynamic move to a strong gaston, and an approximately 41-second bat hang rest. It's not the most aesthetic climb, but it definitely looks hard, and Ondra's expression of joy after his…

On September 2, Laura Rogora ticked Adam Ondra's Chiave Della Volta 5.14d/15a (9a/+) with lightning speed. Since her ascent of Bibliographie 5.15c – her hardest climb ever, which only took six goes – it has been send after send for the Italian phenom. “Ever since [Adam Ondra] first freed this beautiful line in [Trentino], I've wanted to give it a try,” said Rogora on Instagram about Chiave Della Volta. “Yesterday I finally got the chance and managed to send it on my 4th go. It felt a little soft for the grade, but the climbing suits me 100%, so it…