Big Bouldering Sends in Europe
It seems to be send season in Europe as many hard problems have been going down.
James Webb made the first American ascent and fourth ascent overall of L’Alchimiste, which had two sends within a few weeks prior.
After finishing second in the USA Bouldering Nationals, he went to Fontainebleau and sent the hard route on his third try. The route is quickly getting a storied history.
Originally graded V13 in 1996, a hold broke and a variation was later sent Nalle Hukkataival and Alban Levier at V15 and then the original line by Charles Albert at V14.
After his send, Webb noted, “Three tries total. Im a bit confused by this right and left exit stuff. Its just one wall with just one line and two different options for beta. Thats it. Pick the beta that suits your style and go for it. Nonetheless, a quality problem! Very psyched to be here.”
Webb gave the route a personal grade of 8B or V13.
In other bouldering news, Alberto Rocasolano has made the second ascent of Chris Sharma’s recent new route called Catalan Witness the Fitness. Sharma never graded the route and shortly after, Nancho Sanchez broke a hold on the crux.
After Rocasolano’s send, he graded the route V15. Before the send, he had sent Entropia V15 and made the first ascent of Soyuz Low Start V15.
In an interview with 8a.nu, he said, “The most difficult part is a first section of seven moves, super bouldery, where I broke a crux hold and made it even more difficult. The second stretch is more like endurance. It’s got 17 moves in total.”
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