Editors
Editors

3 years and 55 sessions to 8C+ first ascent | Obsidian

bouldering

The German boulderer Stefan Hochbaum succeeds in making the first ascent of the so-called King Kong Project at Scharfenstein near Kassel. He names the line Obsidian and rates the boulder 8C+. This video shows the story behind the ascent.

The boulder line with the name King Kong Project on a first ascent. The line was discovered by Kai Theune in the bouldering area near Scharfenstein with its characteristic basalt rock.

I fulfilled my biggest dream and have never felt so happy. It was the biggest challenge of my life.

Stephen Hochbaum

Nachdem Hochbaum There were hardly any difficult lines left in the area, so he started to project the boulder. And to do that, he needed a lot of perseverance. The German invested 55 sessions over three years until he managed to complete the boulder on February 8, 2025.

Stefan Hochbaum during the first ascent of the boulder Obsidian (8C+)

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“WoGü” in the Rätikon: Zangerl and Larcher each on their first attempt

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Babsi Zangerl and Jacopo Larcher have free climbed "WoGü" (8c) in the Rätikon mountains – on two consecutive days and each time on their first attempt. Barbara Zangerl also thus achieves the first ascent of the route by a woman.
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