Recent months have seen proposals for new climbing difficulty levels, including Elias Iagnemma’s first ascent of Exodia, proposed as V18/9A+ after 200 sessions, and Connor Herson’s send of Drifter’s Escape in July. Chris Sharma shares his perspective on breaking 5.15/9a+ grades.

The Everest climbing season has begun in Nepal with the Icefall Doctors trekking to Base Camp. However, the Tibetan side of Everest is officially closed to climbers this season, and potential impacts from the Middle East conflict on flight plans should be considered.

Charles Dubouloz, 36 ans, a réalisé une ascension en solo de la face nord-ouest de 600 mètres du Pic d’Ossau (2 884 mètres) en France. Il a perdu son sac contenant sa nourriture, sa cuisinière et son manteau à mi-parcours, mais a continué et a atteint le sommet.

Adam Ondra completed the second flash ascent of the V15 boulder problem, The Lion’s Share, in Switzerland. The route was first climbed by Aidan Roberts in 2023, who estimated its grade as V15 or V16, and has since been repeated by Jakob Schubert, Matt Fultz, and Sam Weir, all grading it V15.

The Icefall Doctors, Sherpas who establish the climbing route and safety ropes from Base Camp to Camp 2 on the Nepali side of Everest, departed Namache Bazaar for EBC. They will receive refresher training from the Kuhumbu Climbing Center and use drones to scout the route before beginning to set ice…

Scottish pro climber Robbie Phillips attempts the second-ever free-climb of The Great Arch, a natural formation on Scotland's remote island of Pabbay, where the only previous successful free ascent was made by Dave MacLeod in 2013.

Jakob Schubert hat die Boulderroute Ephyra V16 (8C+) in Ticino, Schweiz, erfolgreich bewältigt. Dies geschah wenige Wochen nach seiner Begehung von Shaolin V17 in Red Rock, Nevada. Schubert erholte sich im Jahr 2025 von Verletzungen, scheint aber im Jahr 2026 erfolgreich durchzustarten.

Michaela Kiersch and Ashima Shiraishi completed the first and second ascents of a V13 boulder problem called Taradine in Oukaïmeden, Morocco, during a 10-day climbing trip. The problem is on overhanging sandstone and its name, meaning “girls,” reflects their joint adventure.

Alexander Parfenov and Alexander Ryndyk of Russia completed the fastest winter climb of the north face of Free Korea Peak in Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan range in 18 hours and 32 minutes. This follows a recent fast ascent of Central Torres del Paine by Tommy Caldwell and Siebe Vanhee.

Mirco Grasso and Jernej Kruder completed a 750m climbing route with difficulties up to 7c in Chile’s Cochamo Valley. The route was established on Cerro Walwalun, and the Cochamo Valley is described as a wild area with climbing potential beyond Torres del Paine and Fitzroy.