V16 boulder grade. Both problems have only one ascent.

V16 boulder grade. Apr 3, 2021 · While the grade of V16 for this climb is already world-class level and the route is considered the hardest boulder in the country, sending it has propelled it to V17. Jun 5, 2023 · What Are Bouldering Grades? Similar to any type of climbing, bouldering is graded with a series of numbers and letters. In short: 8C roughly equals V15 on the Hueco V Scale, or 5. First climbed by Daniel Woods in 2015, the gigantic problem is located on the famous Grandpa Peabody boulder to the right of Lucid Dreaming V15 and Devilution V16. Everything you ever wanted to know about bouldering grades in one place, including a bouldering grade conversion chart from the v scale to font scale. From V0 to V15, unlock the secrets of difficulty ratings and elevate your climbing game. But why does it deserve a V16 grade? “I was originally thinking the boulder would probably be V15,” said Lawson. e. Both indoor and outdoor bouldering is graded, but you’ll find that outdoor climbing will use either the V-Scale or the Font-Scale, which are the two most common bouldering scales Feb 1, 2024 · Long-Standing US Boulder Project Climbed Sean Bailey has made the first ascent of Devilution in the Buttermilks, a problem that he said on a podcast is possibly V16 Jimmy Webb (born November 7, 1987) is an American professional rock climber specializing in bouldering. 14d). The granite boulder only has six moves and involves a lot of feet-off dynamic throws from crimps to gastons and into a powerful deadpoint at the top. This would have made it the hardest problem in the Southern Hemisphere and the hardest boulder problem in the world, at the time. The Hueco Scale The "V" Scale, devised by John 'Vermin' Sherman at Hueco Tanks State Historic Site in the 1990s, is the most widely used system in North America. ” This boulder grade would later be upgraded to a V15, making this climb even more significant for Jimmy. I. First sent by Jimmy Webb on December 15, 2018, Sleepwalker is one of the hardest climbs in the U. Feb 14, 2024 · Understanding Bouldering Grades Bouldering grades stand as a universal metric, offering climbers a standardized means to assess the difficulty of boulder problems, whether encountered outdoors in natural landscapes or within the controlled environments of climbing gyms. Mar 12, 2021 · While the grade of V16 for this climb is already world-class level and the route is considered the hardest boulder in the country, sending it with the sit start could possibly propel the grade to V17. Apr 27, 2025 · An 8c+ boulder problem is generally going to involve bad holds, bad feet, dynamic moves, very powerful, delicate, complex moves. The V-grade / Font-grade systems (sometimes the "technical grade" component of the British E-grade system is used) have replaced Peak B-grades in Britain but they appear in some guidebooks and some boulder grade conversion tables. The most commonly used Most grade systems are specific to a certain style. “I haven’t sent it, so I don’t wanna say anything definitive about the grade, but I am confident that that is a [V17] boulder,” said Bosi in a recent Climbing interview about Terranova’s sandbagged grade. This was in 2002, two years after the first proposed V15. Mentions only ever trying it post break so no comparison with the original grade, still insane and such an accomplishment. Box Therapy is situated near the Rocky Mountains National Park, a place known for its challenging boulders and picturesque landscapes. Feb 13, 2020 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. if a route boils down to just a single boulder problem (roped bouldering, something quite common where I live) then the grade of that boulder problem determines how low the route can be graded. In 2011, Adam Ondra completed the first ascent of Terranova, suggesting a rating of 8c+/V16. Also included are two V16/17 problems, with only one having been repeated. The only other climb to receive the 9A/V17 grade is Natte Hukkataival's unrepeated Burden of Dreams in Finland. It is now getting attention, however, for being home to one of the world’s most challenging boulder problems - Megatron V17. The technically hardest redpoint of a multi-pitch (or big wall) route is at the grade of 9a+ (5. Webb was the men's winner of the 2013 Psicobloc Masters Series held in Park City, Utah. Oct 15, 2021 · From sport climbing to bouldering, different types of rock climbing each have their own system, known as bouldering grades, to assess a route’s overall difficulty. Shawn Raboutou climbed the low start at V16, the first problem at the grade in the country. Learn about the different climbing grades used in bouldering, from V0 to V16, and understand how to interpret the grading system to choose routes that suit your skill level. Apr 27, 2025 · The 8C grade is part of the Fontainebleau (Font) bouldering scale, mostly used in Europe. The problem is the third V16 in RMNP, the eighth V16 in the world, and Woods’s fourth climb of the grade. Few recreational climbers will reach V8. He is one of a handful of climbers who have climbed the boulder grade V16 (8C+). So sick. It carries something far more unique. Dreamtime is a 10-metre (33-foot) long bouldering route, on the boulder of the same name, in the gneiss bouldering area of Cresciano, Switzerland. This would be one of the only V17s in the world. General timelines indicate that from bouldering day one, getting to V4 can take a year, V5 two years, V6 three years, and five years to V7. Including Grade Wike & Table. The technically hardest boulder solved is at the boulder grade of V17 (9A) for men and V16 (8C+) for women. Further ascents solidified this grade, making Of course, any one boulder can benefit certain climbing strengths, but that's also why even the best boulderers haven't sent every boulder which is submaximal in grade to them. From 1910 Jacques Wehrlin and his Groupe Rochassier started climbing regularly in Fontainebleau, and Jacques de Lépiney established the first boulder of grade 4: La Prestat. Just how sandbagged is the Czech Republic to produce such a specimen? The boulder consists of 18 hard crimpy moves and has only seen 4 ascents, with the most recent one being the first female ascent of a v16! There are now 27 boulders in the world that have been proposed or confirmed at v16 (8c+). 15a). Apr 25, 2025 · The following month, he made the first ascent of Arrival of the Birds V17 in Chironico, Switzerland. As of October 2023, there are 48 people who have bagged a V16 boulder problem. May 1, 2025 · The boulder, which was previously completed by three men—Daniel Woods, Drew Ruana, and Sean Bailey—was considered to be a V16. May 4, 2023 · The boulder was first climbed by Jimmy Webb in 2019 to get a first ascent of sleepwalker V16/8C+. James "Jimmy" Webb born November 7, 1987) is an American professional rock climber specializing in bouldering. Things I can immediately spot: "Nest v15" should be "The Nest" "Blood Redemption v15" has a consensus grade of v14 so Magnus Mitbo shouldn't be on the list Liam Andrews-Bancroft has sent blade runner v15 You're missing Aiden Roberts amazing first ascents Also seems a bit strange to me to put individual ascents on boulders in alphabetical order rather than chronological. [1] He beat several of the world's best climbers to win the event, including Chris Sharma, Daniel Woods, Dave Graham, and Camille spent an agonizing 100 tries on the boulder before sending it on the 12th of February 2022. He’s has several V16 first ascents, including Vecchio Leone Sit and The Lion’s Share in Switzerland and Superpowers and Isles of Wonder Sit in the U. Jun 13, 2023 · THE WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP: Austin Purdy breaks into the V16 grade; Canada's hardest-graded boulder sees a second ascent; Drew Ruana continues crushing Colorado; and Elnaz Rekabi competes for the first time since doing so without a headscarf last year. James Lucas “I felt in beast mode going back out there,” says Daniel Woods, a 29-year-old professional climber from Longmont, Colorado. If two different degree of difficulty is still debated, then the boulder is shown as a split grade (V15/V16). Nestled in Val Bavona, in the region of Ticino, lies one of Europe’s most iconic boulders, Off the Wagon. Nov 3, 2023 · 9a Boulder to V Scale: For climbers inquiring about the "9a to V scale" correlation, here's the succinct response: 9a in the Fontainebleau (Font) grading system corresponds approximately to V17 in the V scale. Boom – V16. Due to his history of downgrading hard problems, his V16 suggestion was viewed as a strong endorsement in the eyes of many, and subsequently many people today think of Gioia as a V16 boulder problem despite it first being graded V15 by Christian Core. The problem was first eyed by Daniel Woods, a seasoned climber with numerous first ascents under his belt. His ascent was publicly shared after KAYA released footage, marking a pivotal moment in Canada’s bouldering Katie Lamb has made the fourth ascent, and first female ascent, of The Dark Side (V16), at Camp 4 Boulders, Yosemite, USA. Mar 5, 2024 · Katie Lamb wrote a piece of history on this rock, becoming the first woman to climb a V16 boulder, and what’s even more impressive is the fact that she skipped a full grade during the process. Daniel continues to project the route and has completed almost all the sit-start moves. Mar 6, 2023 · Notable Ascents Shawn Raboutou is the only boulderer in the world right now with 2 9A/V17 ascents under his belt. He has over 25 V15+ ascents to his name, more than any other climber in history, and is also one of the few people to claim an ascent of a V17 boulder. Katie Lamb makes the firts ascent to the imposing Box Therapy and also its the first boulder grade v16 climbing by a woman#KatieLamb Sep 13, 2023 · What are bouldering grades and how do they work? This informational post explains the meaning of bouldering grades and their determination process. The most difficult is Burden of Dreams V17 in Lappnor, Finland first climbed by Nalle Hukkataival. So when Lamb made the fourth ascent of Box Therapy, the climbing community naturally showered her with praise, both for the singular achievement of climbing an extremely hard boulder, but also for becoming the first Learn about climbing and bouldering ratings, including how route difficulty is measured and the difference between a rating and a grade. There is some controversy between bouldering grade conversion, however for the most part we can assume the conversions will hold true. Do you mean first proposed V16 or 'confirmed'? AFAIK none have had enough repeats to 'confirm' the grade. The higher the grade, the harder the route is. What are Bouldering Grades? Essentially, they are a combination of numbers and letters that tell you how difficult a certain problem is. Aug 30, 2024 · 抱石等級是攀岩運動中對攀爬難度的重要指標，普遍採用V系統來分級，從VB到V16。這些等級不僅幫助攀岩者選擇合適的路線，也促進了技術與體能的提升。無論是新手還是資深攀岩者，了解抱石等級能讓你在攀岩的旅程中更有信心和樂趣。 參考更多： 攀岩：挑戰極限的垂直冒險 抱石的基本概念 Apr 20, 2024 · This V16 boulder in Japan not only has some of the burliest moves you’ve ever seen, it will probably give you a pulley injury just watching the send videos. 15a on the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) if you’re trying to compare it to roped climbs. Last week, he said, “I don’t sleep at night because of it. Moved PermanentlyThe document has moved here. Familiarise yourself with the differences. Quickly convert bouldering grades between different systems with our easy-to-use too Mar 17, 2023 · What are bouldering grades? Simply put, bouldering grades are a made-up system consisting mainly of letters and numbers to measure the difficulty of a boulder problem. Bookkeeping is not a regular boulder problem. The story isn’t straightforward with this one either! Feb 11, 2025 · Adam Shahar recently completed The Process V16 (8C+) in the Buttermilks. On two days I felt like I had given it a V15 effort—I gave it everything—and still fell. The Big Slamm in Italy: First climbed by Elias Iagnemma in 2025 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elias Iagnemma (@elias_iagnemma) Dec 28, 2021 · Ryuichi Murai recently made the first ascent Floatin, a hard new problem in Mizugakiyama Natural Park, Japan. May 7, 2025 · Katie Lamb has once again made history, becoming the first woman to climb a confirmed V16 boulder problem—for the… Nov 10, 2024 · The problem is also and on-and-off long-term project for Will Bosi. Without a rest on the climb, Woods needed to climb efficiently to save enough energy to pull the lip. Online Conversion Tool for Climbing Grades & Bouldering Grades: Trad Grade, UIAA, French Sport Grade, Boulder Grades, American Scale & many more. Like many other boulder problems though, this was downgraded to V15/16 by subsequent ascensionists. Comparison Table: Fontainebleau Grade (Font) Approximate V Scale 8b+ V14 8c V15 8c+ V16 (Note: Remember that climbing grades are sub However, several athletes these days are becoming more comfortable in the V16 routes and now challenge themselves to ascend higher-ranked boulder problems. The Grade Needless to say, the problem looks and sounds incredibly difficult. Bouldering Grade Systems Bouldering grade systems are a Mar 24, 2022 · The World’s Current Hardest Boulder Problem Based solely on grade, the title of world’s hardest boulder problem is currently shared by two problems: Burden of Dreams and Return of the Sleepwalker. Jan 26, 2004 · 1/26/04 - Italian Mauro Calibani has suggested a grade of 8c+ (V16) for his new boulder problem Tonino ’78 in central Italy. If you’re used to the V Scale, common in the U. Jun 8, 2023 · Hard 100 Footnotes All boulders are shown as their “suggested grade” factoring in the initial proposed grade and the consensus of repeats from other climbers. Apr 29, 2024 · Learn everything about climbing grades and quickly convert any climbing rating with our free climbing grade conversion chart. Only a handful of problems exist at the grade. In outdoor settings, two prominent grading scales, the V Scale and Font Scale, take center stage. Nalle Hukkataival sent Burden of Dreams in October 2016, making it the first problem ever to receive a proposed grade of V17 (9A Feb 9, 2017 · Woods and Graham both rated Creature V16, making it just one of a few repeated boulder problems at the grade. However, it doesn’t carry the legendary documented stories of tries, fails, ascends, and repeats. It had been known as the “launch pad project” and he graded it V16. It’s the third problem of the grade for the 27-year-old American. Quiz by bloodinmyeye When The Wheel of Life got its first ascent in 2004 by Dai Koyamada he proposed the boulder grade of V16/8C+. Many areas in the world have developed different systems. Daniel Woods made a longer version of the route in 2021 by adding up to 7 more moves and grading the new route to V17/9a. This boulder is a story of a legendary, local, Fontainebleau climber and phenomenon, and another great example of Apr 1, 2022 · Terranova is a boulder problem in the Moravsky Kras area of the Czech Republic established by Adam Ondra in 2011 as his first 8C+. Jan 16, 2025 · Below are the nine boulders that have been graded V17, of which three have been repeated and confirmed, while four are suggestions. With repeats, it was graded at 8C (V15), and some consider it to really be a sport climbing traverse route, at the sport grade of 9a (5. Climbers operating at this level have trained for decades, developing finger strength, total body explosive power, and technical proficiency with movement. In 2011, Adam Ondra completed the first ascent of Terranova in the Czech Rebpublic, suggesting 8c+/V16. Insomniac is an 8C+ Boulder problem at Lincoln Lake in the United States. Bouldering grades are the assigned difficulty ratings to boulder problems. The boulder consists of 18 hard crimpy moves and has only seen 4 ascents, with the most recent one being the first female ascent of a V16! Jul 20, 2023 · Only a few years ago, V16 was a mythical grade, but today over 30 climbers have sent V16 problems, and there are more than 20 proposed V16s in the world. It was first tried 20 years ago by Chris Sharma and Dave Graham. Apr 6, 2023 · V16 The first proposed V16 was in 2004 when Mauro Calibani climbed Tonino ’78 in central Italy. Bouldering grade conversions between the V-Scale and the Font-scale are mostly accurate. Understand bouldering, sport, and trad climbing grades for accurate conversions. While the grade is unconfirmed, it shows how far the sport has come. Woods was referring to his new problem Box Therapy The World’s Hardest Boulder Problem Based solely on grade, the title of world’s hardest boulder problem is currently shared by two problems: Burden of Dreams and Return of the Sleepwalker. This winter, Woods had climbed Sleepwalker V16 nearly 20 times, with four coming in one session. , you might wonder how 8C compares. The higher the grade, the longer it takes to get to the next one. Indeed, as there are many climbing styles, many grading systems have emerged throughout climbing history to cover the different types of movement and technologies climbers use to ascend varied terrains like rock, ice, and snow. Both are currently graded V17 (9A). Jan 27, 2022 · Breaking into new difficulties remains challenging in 2022, but climbers have become progressively more comfortable with the V17 rating as a greater number of athletes break into the V16 range. Box Therapy, put up by Daniel Woods in 2018, has seen only two other repeats, from Drew Ruana and Sean Mar 12, 2020 · Daniel Woods made the third ascent of Off the Wagon sit, the now-famous V16 boulder first climbed by Shawn Raboutou in Val Bavona, Switzerland. When Camille Coudert sent he concurred with Lorenzi’s original suggested grade of V17, as when he compared it to other boulders in the V15-V16 range, the higher grade seemed far more accurate. S. It recently had a second ascent by Jimmy Webb. Aug 18, 2017 · In this article we go over the nuances of rock climbing grades, indoor and outdoor, what they mean, and how to understand them. Jan 28, 2022 · Climbing grades describe the objective difficulty of a climb and are organized into grading systems based on the climbing style and the region. On April 6, 2022, Shawn Raboutou made the First Ascent of a V16 boulder named ‘ Alphane ‘. Murai is one of the world’s top boulderers with sends of Apr 20, 2024 · Fred on Charon‘s Obolus, V13/8B The first consensus on V15 is Monkey Wedding, another boulder put up by Fred Nicole in South Africa. Sep 16, 2021 · Everything you ever wanted to know about bouldering grades in one place, including a bouldering grade conversion chart from the V Scale to Font Scale. The goal is to reach the top of a boulder problem or route. How to Use the Bouldering Grades Comparison Table: To use this table, simply find the grade you wish to convert and click on it or follow the row to see equivalent grades in the other system. Fast forward 6 years later to 2008 and the first proposed V16 appears. As of May 2025, there are 13 known V17 boulders worldwide — Dec 25, 2019 · WHO has sent sleepwalker? A few days ago, Daniel Woods made the second ascent of Sleepwalker (V16), a Nalle Hukkataival project in the Black Velvet Canyon section of Red Rocks, Nevada. May 31, 2024 · The sit-start adds six moves to Sleepwalker and proposes that the grade be bumped to V17. Nov 8, 2023 · Discover the definitive guide to bouldering grades. Apr 30, 2025 · Katie Lamb -- One of the strongest boulderers in the world, and first woman to successfully scale the grade V16 The Dark Side boulder in Yosemite (March 2025) / Photo by Eric Bissell Yosemite Jul 16, 2025 · Bouldering grades are a common language that represents the difficulty of a boulder problem. I mean i'm in no doubt that the climbing of these problems are amazing achievements but are they boulder problems and can they justify a V grade. For more info on hard bouldering visit 99boulders. Particularly Jan 12, 2016 · He nabbed the second ascent of Gioia and gave the problem a V16 grade afterwards. Now over 13 years old, the problem still hasn’t been repeated. By comparing the V-Scale to other grade systems, climbers can gain a better understanding of the nuances and variations in bouldering grades worldwide. Climbing V16 demands so much strength and skill that a V17/9A boulder problem climb long seemed like a distant fairytale. Sep 1, 2024 · Use code HANNAH15 for 15% off Tee’s, Chalk & Apparel from Rúngne ︎ https://rungne. Mar 21, 2016 · A week before her 15th birthday, Ashima Shiraishi, the unlikely climbing prodigy from New York City, got an early present. . [3][10][20] Nov 3, 2023 · 8c Boulder to V Scale: Inquiring about the "8c to V scale" conversion? Here it is succinctly: an 8c in the Fontainebleau (Font) grading system typically corresponds to V15 in the V scale. The Wheel of Life is a 21-metre (69 ft) long sandstone bouldering route on the roof of the Hollow Mountain Cave in the Grampians of Australia. Christian Core, an Italian climber made the first ascent of Gioia and suggested a V16. With subsequent repeat ascents, it was regraded to 8B+ (V14), but after the breaking With close proximity to Boulder, Golden, and other front-range cities, Eldorado Canyon is most famous for its classic and accessible multi-pitch trad climbs. Because the Mar 18, 2025 · Matt Fultz, 33, has climbed Nathan Philips’ Deep Fake V16 in Brione, Switzerland, for his ninth boulder of the grade. Mar 7, 2025 · This isn’t Lamb’s first brush with the V16 grade. This bouldering grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from Hueco to French and back to Feb 26, 2024 · THE WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP: Austin Purdy breaks into the V16 grade; Canada's hardest-graded boulder sees a second ascent; Drew Ruana continues crushing Colorado; and Elnaz Rekabi competes for the first time since doing so without a headscarf last year. Notes on lines missing from the list are welcome and can be communicated in the comments field. The 25-move line traverses the roof of a steep cave, ending by dropping off onto a small boulder. Find out how to convert the V scale and more here. Katie Lamb (born September 16, 1997) is an American rock climber who specializes in bouldering, and who in 2023 became the first-ever woman in history to climb an 8C+ (V16) graded boulder. Jan 4, 2025 · Can you name the V16+ Boulders? Test your knowledge on this sports quiz and compare your score to others. The Rockfax grade tables offer a flexible and accurate comparison from the main world grading systems to the unique British Trad Grade and UK Tech Grade. In July 2023, she climbed Box Therapy in Colorado, initially celebrated as the first woman to ascend a V16 boulder. "creature from the black lagoon" might be there - it has had a few repeats now Initially graded a V15 by first ascensionist, Daniel Woods, Hypnotized Minds saw an upgrade to a V16, making it the second boulder in climbing history of that grade. He’s tried the problem on multiple trips to Czechia but hasn’t yet been able to solve it. The sit, also known as the low start, is the country’s first boulder of the grade and the hardest problem in Switzerland. V16's!!! It seems that for boulder grades to get higher the problems have to get longer and longer. Both problems have only one ascent. Keep reading to learn how these grading systems compare, why 8C is Learn about the different climbing grades used in bouldering, from V0 to V16, and understand how to interpret the grading system to choose routes that suit your skill level. Jun 8, 2023 · Even in 2023 alone, the standard of hard bouldering has grown exponentially, with 15 new crushers claiming an ascent of V16 or harder in the last 12 months. Ondra recently retried the moves on his old FA during a climbing Sep 14, 2023 · On July 28th, she’d topped the pristine alpine boulder Box Therapy (V16) in Rocky Mountain National Park. Pretty much agreed with this. Oct 30, 2018 · Daniel Woods made the first ascent of Box Therapy near Rocky Mountain National Park’s Box Lake. The following compilation gives an overview of the most difficult boulders in the world from grade 8C+ (V16). Climbers can use these systems to track their progress as they work toward building new skill sets. How do boulder grades work? How are boulder problems graded? What is the difference between V Grades and Font Grades? These are all questions I will answer. Jun 4, 2020 · Wheel of Life, 2004 – Perhaps the first serious contender for V16, Dai Koyamada took his boulder Sleepy Rave (V15) and tacked the furthest starting point, X-Treme Cool (V9), onto the very beginning. Overall really good She Was The First Woman to Climb V16, Then They Downgraded The Boulder | Alex Honnold Climbing Gold Like Dislike 0 Jul 16, 2025 · Canada has achieved a significant milestone in the climbing community with Andy Lamb's first ascent of Event Horizon V16 (8C+) in Squamish. , the first two of the grade in the country. The problem is around 17 moves long. Located at the Holstejn area of Czechia’s Moravsky Kras, Ondra spent 12 days over two seasons working the problem before his eventual send. There are grade systems for bouldering, grade systems for sport climbing, grade systems for aid climbing and so on but even grade systems for the same style don’t always translate well between each other. When first solved in October 2000 by Swiss bouldering pioneer Fred Nicole, it was graded at 8C (V15), making it the world's first-ever boulder route at that grade. The sit start variation of this climb adds in six moves of V13/8B climbing into the already established V16/8C+ boulder. ” About his downgrade, Waller said on Reddit, “I did the boulder in four sessions and found beta which changes the intro of the boulder from hard V14 into V13. Rock climbing grades are a means of estimating the difficulty of a climb. How do boulder grades work? How are boulder problems graded? What is the difference between V Grades and Font Grades? These are all questions I will answer. Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. K. The higher the climbing grade, the more difficult the route will be. During a spring-break trip to Japan, she climbed a boulder problem with a Will Bosi even thinks Adam's unrepeated V16 boulder Terranova is harder than Alphane (and any other other boulder he's tried as a matter of fact). Nov 8, 2022 · How many V17 boulder problems are there? Based solely on grade, the title of world’s hardest boulder problem is currently shared by two problems: Burden of Dreams and Return of the Sleepwalker. Sep 17, 2024 · The boulder is located in Valle Bavona, Switzerland, and Jimmy said “ One of the coolest projects I’ve ever climbed. Jun 18, 2022 · Overview: Most difficult boulders from 8C + The list in the 8C+ area is significantly longer. Each scale brings its Sherman sought to create a standardized system to measure boulder problem difficulty, and the "V" in V-scale stands for "Vermin," his climbing nickname. Today we will look at the world’s most challenging boulder problems and the differences between them. Although open-ended, the "V" system currently covers a range from V0 to V16. You can’t pick the “best boulderer” in the world (names like Drew Ruana, Fred Nicole, Adam Ondra, Jimmy Webb, Christian Core, Paul Robinson, Ryuichi Murai, Griffin Whiteside, James Bouldering Grades Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses. Initially ranging from V0 (easiest) to V16 (hardest), the scale has expanded over time as elite climbers continue to push boundaries. Katie Lamb -- One of the strongest boulderers in the world, and first woman to successfully scale the grade V16 The Dark Side boulder in Yosemite (March 2025) | Photo by Eric Bissell May 13, 2024 · Katie Lamb: In 2023, Lamb become the first woman to climb a boulder that had been given the grade of V16 with her fourth ascent of Box Therapy, a steep problem first climbed by Daniel Woods in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. About this Bouldering Grades table: This is a bouldering climbing grade conversion chart. Woods is one of the most accomplished bouldering specialists ever, on both rock and plastic. At the easier end of the scale, some use the designation "VB" (sometimes said to designate "basic" or "beginner") for problems easier than a V0. Katie Lamb Shatters Limits as First Woman to Conquer V16—Twice! Katie Lamb has once again made history, becoming the first woman to climb a confirmed V16 boulder problem—for the… Mar 1, 2025 · On February 22, Austin Purdy climbed Bookkeeping V16 (8C+) in the Nomad Cave in Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado. Oct 17, 2023 · Admittedly, I have almost no experience on difficult boulders, but for me to skip V14 and V15 and then do a V16 in less than four sessions seems outlandish. Jan 17, 2022 · Of the Wagon is a powerful problem on a big boulder at the edge of a field in Val Bavona, Switzerland. Oct 12, 2020 · Wondering how climbs are graded by setters? Or maybe you want to learn what V means in bouldering. Bouldering grades conversion This page presents bouldering grades, the bouldering grades conversion relative to eachtother and the origine of most used scales. Dec 30, 2024 · In November 2011, when he was only 18 years old, Adam Ondra made the first ascent of his first-ever V16 (8C+), Terranova. A list of all the boulder problems 8C+ or harder that have currently been climbed, including details of the first ascent. In climbing The Dark Side, Lamb becomes the first woman to make an ascent at Font 8C+. After nearly 55 attempts, Lamb ascended the boulder problem located in The Room, which starts lower than the previous Room Service Low V14. So if Terranova ever gets an upgrade, then Adam also established the first V17. Understanding Climbing Grade Conversion Comparing Bouldering Grades When it comes to comparing bouldering grades, it’s essential to understand the differences between the various grading systems used in different regions Apr 12, 2021 · This boulder problem is the hardest piece of rock climbing in North Americaand perhaps the world. ‘No Kpote Only’ is not the classic hard climb or boulder story we all got used to reading about. Why Are Bouldering Routes Called "Problems"? Sep 28, 2017 · His proposed V16 grade went unchallenged until 2015, when fellow Japanese climber Motochika Nagao repeated the climb and called it V15. info/HMBJake Mason, Head Routesetter at Yonder and Hang explains the eight Mar 25, 2024 · Explore the ins and outs of climbing grade conversion with tips, challenges, and resources. The problem is the sit start to Fake Pamplemousse. “I thought that was a pretty safe bet. Reaching a performance grade like V16 takes a huge amount of work. You may be visiting different gyms in your area or have tried outdoor climbs and noticed that the grades aren’t as black and white as they seem on paper. He beat several of the world's best climbers to win the event, including Chris Sharma, Daniel Woods, Dave Graham Mar 24, 2022 · The current prevalence of the V16 grade is a relatively new thing: In 2011, Adam Ondra established a V16, Terranova, at Holjsten in the Czech Republic, and repeated Christian Core’s 2008 problem Gioia at Varazze, Italy, saying that both felt like V16, a grade that few climbers had yet dared to propose. Jun 23, 2024 · These grading systems may differ in their approach to grading boulder problems, but they ultimately serve the same purpose of helping climbers understand the difficulty level of a climb. In this beginners guide, we go over everything that goes into bouldering grades and what you need to know. Jun 5, 2023 · Now, in 2025, you will find your average Joe in the boulder field casually crushing 10s and 11s like it’s nobody’s business. Return of the Sleepwalker adds a seven-move V13 sit-start onto Sleepwalker (V16), first climbed by Jimmy Webb in 2018. [2][3][4] May 12, 2025 · In the realm of elite bouldering, V17 boulder problems (Fontainebleau grade 9A) represent the absolute cutting edge of difficulty. I like to use a conversion chart like this as more of an lower limit for a route grade. Each grade conveys the difficulty of the route. The first and confirmed V16, was Hypnotized Minds in Colorado, climbed by Daniel Woods in 2010. The problem has two variations, the stand start (8B+) and the sit start variation (8C+). Since the groundbreaking first ascent of Burden of Dreams in 2016, the number of climbs proposed at this grade has slowly grown. Climbs like “Sleepwalker” in Red Rocks Below is a list of the 30 most difficult problems that get a solid V16 or harder rating, and who’s climbed them. Nalle Hukkataival made the first ascent at V14 and called it Off the Wagon in 2012. That achievement, however, became mired in controversy after top climbers later reevaluated the climb, downgrading it to V15. “In comparison to Feb 8, 2025 · Katie Lamb: In 2023, Lamb become the first woman to climb a boulder that had been given the grade of V16 with her fourth ascent of Box Therapy, a steep problem first climbed by Daniel Woods in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. Yes - It’s a mega-hard, low-rep boulder. The two most common boulder grading systems are the V-Scale and the Fontainebleau Scale. Feb 9, 2024 · Bouldering grades can either be the bane of your existence or can push you to climb harder. In doing so, Lamb has jumped over the V15 grade entirely, and become the first woman in history to solve a V16 (8C+) boulder problem. Comparison Table: Fontainebleau Grade (Font) Approximate V Scale 8c+ V16 9a V17 (Note: Remember that climbing May 1, 2019 · Bouldering Today Fast forward to 2018 and there’s countless boulder problems around the world. Aug 3, 2021 · Woods and Graham both rated Creature V16, making it just one of a few repeated boulder problems at the grade. The list is continuously updated. When first climbed, it was graded at 8C+ (V16), one of the world's first-ever boulder routes at that grade. Today, we explore the world's most challenging boulder problems and what makes them tough to climb. In this guide, we will explain what factors determine a boulder grade and what you can expect as you climb through the grading scale. From 2004 until 2016, the top grade in bouldering was V16 (8C+). bpix xtbdlvh llvcum tgdtk potmr kixaa aqjp veeho trbnom rvnhy