science

List of grade milestones in rock climbing

List of grade milestones in rock climbing is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand List of grade milestones in rock climbing rather than just read about it. In short: In rock-climbing, a first free ascent (FFA) is the first redpoint, onsight or flash of a single-pitch, multi-pitch or bouldering climbing-route that did not involve using aid equipment to help progression or resting — the ascent must thus be performed in either a sport, a traditional, or a free solo manner. First-free-ascents that set new grade milestones are important events in rock climbing history, and are listed…

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Reference excerpt

In rock-climbing, a first free ascent (FFA) is the first redpoint, onsight or flash of a single-pitch, multi-pitch or bouldering climbing-route that did not involve using aid equipment to help progression or resting — the ascent must thus be performed in either a sport, a traditional, or a free solo manner. First-free-ascents that set new grade milestones are important events in rock climbing history, and are listed below. While sport climbing has dominated grade milestones since the mid-1980s (i.e. are now the highest grades), milestones for modern traditional-climbing, free-solo-climbing, onsighted & flashed-ascents, are also listed. A climbing route's grade is provisional until enough climbers have repeated it to establish a "consensus". At the highest grades, this can take years as few climbers are capable of repeating these routes. For example, in 2001, Realization was considered the world's first 9a+ (5.15a), however, the first repeat of the 1996 route Open Air, which only happened in 2008, suggested that it was possibly the first 9a+ (5.15a). Open Air has had no further repeats, and has had holds broken since 1996, whereas Realization has had many ascents and is thus a "consensus" 9a+. Thus, the 2nd to 4th ranked candidates are also recorded. As of June 2026, the technically hardest-ever redpoint of a single-pitch rock-climbing route is at the grade of 9c (5.15d) for men and the grade of 9b+ (5.15c) for women. The technically hardest onsight is at the grade of 9a (5.14d) for men and 8c+ (5.14c) for women. The technically hardest boulder solved is at the boulder grade of V18 (9A+) for men and V16 (8C+) for women. The technically hardest redpoint of a multi-pitch (or big wall) route is at the grade of 9a+ (5.15a). The technically hardest free solo of a single-pitch route is at the grade of 8c (5.14b), and the technically hardest free solo of a multi-pitch (or big wall) route is at 7c+ (5.13a).

Single-pitch routes

Redpointed by men 9c (5.15d):

Silence – Flatanger Municipality (NOR) – September 3, 2017 – First ascent by Adam Ondra, who described it as "much harder than anything else" he had previously done, and cautiously suggested the 9c rating for the 45 m route. Is unrepeated (January 2026). DNA – Verdon Gorge (FRA) – April 29, 2022 – First ascent by Sébastien Bouin who proposed the grade of 9c, saying "Comparing this route to Bibliographie, Move, Beyond [Integral], it seems a step ahead", and "To choose 9c is to take a risk". Is unrepeated (January 2026). B.I.G (also Project Big) – Flatanger Municipality (NOR) – September 20, 2023 – First ascent by Jakob Schubert who worked it with Adam Ondra and after consulting with him, proposed 9c saying it was "definitely harder" than Perfecto Mundo a "benchmark" 9b+ route. Is unrepeated (January 2026). Duality of Man – Dry Canyon, Arizona (USA) – March 6, 2025 – First ascent by Sean Bailey who worked on the project for several years, and is the first-ever proposed 9c in North America. It is unrepeated (January 2026). 9b+ (5.15c):

Change – Flatanger Municipality (NOR) – October 4, 2012 – First-ever 9b+ in history, by Adam Ondra; grade confirmed by Stefano Ghisolfi (2020). Third ascent was by Seb Bouin (2022), who felt a kneebar made it closer to 9b/9b+ (5.15b/c); fourth was by Alex Megos (2024). La Dura Dura – Oliana (ESP) – February 7, 2013 – Second-ever 9b+, by Adam Ondra; first-ever 9b+ repeat by Chris Sharma (March 23, 2013). Vasil Vasil – Moravský Kras (CZE) – December 4, 2013 – Third-ever 9b+, by Adam Ondra. Remains unrepeated (January 2025). Perfecto Mundo – Margalef (ESP) – May 9, 2018 – Fourth 9b+, by Alexander Megos; repeat by Stefano Ghisolfi (2018), and Jakob Schubert (2019); considered a "benchmark" 9b+ route. 9b (5.15b):

Jumbo Love – Clark Mountain (US) – September 11, 2008 – First-ever 9b (5.15b) in history, by Chris Sharma. Repeated by Ethan Pringle (2015), Jonathan Siegrist (2018), and Seb Bouin (2022). Golpe de Estado – Siurana (ESP) – December 17, 2008 – Second-ever 9b (5.15b), by Chris Sharma. First-ever 9b repeat by Adam Ondra (2010) (was Ondra's first 9b). Neanderthal – Santa Linya (ESP) – December 18, 2009 – Third-ever 9b (5.15b), by Chris Sharma. Repeated by Jakob Schubert (2018), and Adam Ondra (2019). 9a+ (5.15a):

Open Air – Schleier Waterfall (AUT) – 1996 – First ascent by Alexander Huber, who proposed 9a (5.14d); it has only been repeated once in 2008 by Adam Ondra who felt it was 9a+ (5.15a), but the breaking of holds means it is uncertain whether Ondra did the same route. Mutation – Raven Tor, Peak District (ENG) – 1998 – First ascent by Steve McClure, who graded it 9a (5.14d). Will Bosi completed the first repeat in October 2021 and suggested the route is 9a+ (5.15a), or even harder. Realization – Céüse (FRA) – July 2001 – First ascent by Chris Sharma. First consensus 9a+ (5.15a) in history. La Rambla – Siurana (ESP) – March 2003 – First ascent by Ramón Julián Puigblanqué. Second consensus 9a+ (5.15a) in history. 9a (5.14d):

Action Directe – Frankenjura (DEU) – 1991 – First-ever consensus 9a in history, by Wolfgang Güllich, who originally graded it 8c+, but now the "benchmark" for 9a. Om – Endstal, Berchtesgaden (DEU) – 1992 – Second-ever 9a, by Alexander Huber. Bain de Sang – Saint Loup (SUI) – 1993 – Third-ever 9a, by Fred Nicole. Hugh – Les Eaux-Claires (FRA) – 1993 – Fourth-ever 9a, by Fred Rouhling. 8c+ (5.14c):

Liquid Ambar – Pen Trwyn, (WAL) – May 1990 – First ascent by Jerry Moffatt who graded 8c (5.14b), but subsequent repeats have regraded it to 8c+. Hubble – Raven Tor, Peak District (ENG) – June 1990 – Considered first-ever consensus 8c+ (5.14c) in history, by Ben Moon; later considered a possible first 8c+/9a, or even the first-ever 9a. Just Do It – Smith Rock (US) – 1992 – Considered second-ever consensus 8c+ (5.14c) (after Hubble), by Jean-Baptiste Tribout. Super Plafond – Volx, (FRA) – 1994 – Considered third-ever consensus 8c+ (5.14c), by Jean-Baptiste Tribout. 8c (5.14b):

Wallstreet – Frankenjura (DEU) – 1987 – First-ever consensus 8c (5.14b) in history, by Wolfgang Güllich. Anaïs et le canabis – Saint Loup (SUI) – 1988 – Second-ever consensus 8c (5.14b), by Fred Nicole. Agincourt – Buoux (FRA) – 1989 – Third-ever consensus 8c (5.14b), by Ben Moon. Maginot Line (Plafond) – Volx (FRA) – 1989 – Fourth-ever consensus 8c (5.14b), by Ben Moon. 8b+ (5.14a):

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

List of grade milestones in rock climbing: Thimble, the 1960s — Thimble, the 1960s

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with List of grade milestones in rock climbing

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what List of grade milestones in rock climbing claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to List of grade milestones in rock climbing before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about List of grade milestones in rock climbing ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of List of grade milestones in rock climbing

In research: List of grade milestones in rock climbing appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses List of grade milestones in rock climbing in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: List of grade milestones in rock climbing is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Bouldering, Climbing and mountaineering-related lists, Climbing routes, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for List of grade milestones in rock climbing outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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Frequently asked questions

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