History Made, Records Broken & Dreams Realized
Some weeks feel bigger than others. This edition is defined by historic ascents, unforgettable World Cup moments, and personal stories that remind us why climbing continues to inspire. From Janja Garnbret's landmark achievement to athletes pushing limits on rock and competition walls alike, the climbing world delivered a week that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
The Moments That Defined the Week
Every now and then, a few stories rise above everything else. This week belonged to athletes making history, redefining expectations, and delivering performances that will be remembered long after the season ends. These are the moments that captured the climbing world's attention.
Janja Garnbret Sends Bibliographie — First Woman to Climb the Route
Only 5 other people in the world have climbed this route, and Janja is the first woman to ever do it. Climbing history made yet again.
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Janja Garnbret on Bibliographie 9b+ — Patience Over Speed
For someone whose love of variety made projecting unnatural, Bibliographie demanded patience, commitment, and presence. "More than a grade, this feels like a personal victory over an old mindset." On to the next dream.
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Janja Garnbret's Emotions at the Top
All the emotions at the top speak for themselves.
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Annie Sanders Takes Boulder Gold in Prague
Two flashes, three tops, and Annie Sanders' first Boulder gold of the season — she "cracked the case" in Prague.
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Sorato Anraku: Four Boulder Golds in a Row
"I MADE HISTORY. 4 in a row. To be honest, I never thought I could do this. Not a single round was a walk in the park. I'm so proud of myself." Podium: 🥈 Lee Do, 🥉 Mejdi Schalck.
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Putra Tri Ramadani Wins Lead Final in Prague — Indonesia's First
Putra came through with a clean 43, ahead of Neo Suzuki (silver, 39) and Jakob Schubert (bronze, 37). Anraku finished 4th and Ondra 5th at home in Prague — a historic first for Indonesia.
View post →Where History Was Written
Elite climbing reached another level this week. Janja Garnbret delivered one of the most significant ascents in modern climbing, while top climbers across Europe continued adding hard routes and landmark repeats to their résumés. The message is clear: the limits of the sport are still expanding.
Stefano Ghisolfi Sends Ratstaman Vibrations 9b — His 12th 9b
Ghisolfi adds Ratstaman Vibrations 9b to his ticklist — his 12th route at the grade.
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Bibliographie 9b+ — Janja Garnbret Is the 13th Ascent and 2nd Woman
First sent by Alex Megos in 2020, Bibliographie has only seen 5 ascents before Janja — Megos, Ghisolfi, Sean Bailey, Seb Bouin, Diaz-Rullo. Brooke Raboutou broke the 9b+ barrier for women on Excalibur in 2025; Janja makes it second.
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Simon Lorenzi Sends Tantanka 8c+ in Belgium
Belayed by his dad like in the good old days. FA'd by Thomas Salakenos a few years ago — originally 9a before a hold broke and made the crux harder. Now a fun 20-move testpiece with a campus option in the crux section.
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Katherine Choong Makes First Female Ascent of Ravage
Swiss climber Katherine Choong achieves a historic first female ascent of Ravage at Chuensiberg — Antoine Le Menestrel's 1986 line that was rated as the world's first 8c at the time.
View post →Janja Garnbret Becomes Second Woman to Climb 9b+
Garnbret becomes just the second woman ever — after Brooke Raboutou's ascent of Excalibur — to climb 9b+, and just the thirteenth person ever to climb the grade.
Read article →World Cup Season in Full Flight
Prague delivered drama, records, and breakthrough performances. Veterans proved they still belong at the top, rising stars continued rewriting expectations, and several athletes left the weekend with career-defining results. The race for season dominance is becoming increasingly difficult to predict.
Jakob Schubert Takes Bronze in Prague — Comp Season Begins
After a tough qualifications round, Schubert recovered to claim bronze in his first comp of the season. "It feels hard to keep up with the super strong young guns right now." Big congrats to Putra and Neo Suzuki.
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Mejdi Schalck Takes Third Podium of the Season in Prague
Schalck's third podium of the season — bronze in Prague, after another close battle. Sharing the finals with French teammates Max Bertone and Sam Avezou. Next stop: Austria.
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Sorato Anraku Makes Boulder World Cup History
All it took was one top and three zone flashes to win an evening of very hard problems — Anraku takes his fourth consecutive Boulder World Cup gold.
Read article →European Para Championships 2027 Announces Sports for Geneva
Organisers announce the 12 sports that will make up the European Para Championships 2027 in Geneva, Switzerland — climbing among them.
Read article →New to climbing?
Start with our guides
Plain English explainers on gear, grades and skills, so every edition makes sense from the first read.
All guides →Innovation Beyond the Wall
Performance doesn't stop at the crag. From new product developments to broader discussions about how climbing organizations support a rapidly growing community, this week's gear and industry stories focus on the tools, systems, and infrastructure shaping the future of the sport.
La Sportiva Prodigio 2 — Continuous Running Shoe
The Prodigio Series is designed for continuous running — long climbs, technical descents, and miles that add up. Prodigio 2 is the balance: protection and response across different terrains and distances.
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HelloAsso Highlights FFME's Vertical Series Strategy
With nearly 3 million climbers and 130,000 registered members, the FFME faces a major challenge: building connections with the entire climbing community. The Vertical Series link private gyms, clubs, and federal competitions.
Read article →The Human Side of Climbing
Not every important story ends at the chains or on the podium. This week brought powerful reflections on personal growth, mental health, community, legacy, and the experiences that make climbing more than a sport. Sometimes the most meaningful victories happen away from the spotlight.
Alex Honnold: 9 Years Since the El Cap Free Solo
Hard to believe — 9 years since Honnold free soloed El Cap. Looking through old Jimmy Chin photos, he remembers it all as a great time with friends. Mikey Schaefer on the wall, Dave Allfrey rigging, Tommy Caldwell partnering. What an adventure.
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Hannah Meul on Burnout, Healing, and Peace
Hannah Meul shares a life update on years of survival, burnout, and the slow work of healing in Spain. "Healing was never about becoming who I was before. Maybe it's about becoming someone softer, calmer, lighter."
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Petzl Frankenjura Kletter Festival in Königstein
Four days dedicated to climbing — workshops, gear demos, athlete talks, yoga, and live music. Petzl thanks the community for joining in Königstein.
View post →Boulders You Might Have Missed: Northern Ireland, Scotland & Northumberland
UKClimbing rounds up what's been happening across the UK bouldering scene — Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Northumberland highlights you might have missed.
Read article →Don't miss the next edition
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