The 12 Hardest Boulders in the World in 2025
There are now three V17s in the U.S.A. including two that were recently opened, and a new V17 in Italy
Over the past few months, two new V17s have been climbed: Shaolin V17 by Sean Bailey, and No One Mourns the Wicked V17 by Nathaniel Coleman.
Below are the nine boulders that have been graded V17, of which three have been repeated and confirmed, while four are suggestions. Also included are two V16/17 problems, with only one having been repeated.
The Big Slamm in Italy: First climbed by Elias Iagnemma in 2025
No One Mourns the Wicked V17 in the U.S.A.: First climbed by Nathaniel Coleman in 2024.
Shaolin V17 in the U.S.A.: First climbed by Sean Bailey in 2024.
Arrival of Birds V17 in the UK: First climbed by Aidan Roberts in 2024.
Spots of Time V17 in the UK:Â First climbed by Aidan Roberts in 2024.
L’Ombre du Voyageur V17 in France: First climbed by Charles Albert in 2023.
Megatron in the US: First climbed by Shawn Raboutou in 2022.
Alphane V17 in Switzerland: First climbed by Shawn Raboutou in 2022, repeated by Aidan Roberts, Will Bosi, Simon Lorenzi, Jakob Schubert.
Return of the Sleepwalker V17 in the U.S.A.: First climbed by Daniel Woods in 2021, repeated by Will Bosi.
Burden of Dreams V17 in Finland: First climbed in 2016 by Nalle Hukkataival, repeated by Will Bosi, Simon Lorenzi, Elias Iagnemma.
Backflip SDS V16/V17 in Russia: First climbed by Vadim Timonov in 2023.
Soudain Seul V16/V17 in France: First climbed by Simon Lorenzi in 2021, repeated by Nico Pelorson, Camille Coudert.
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