Israeli top climber Alex Khazanov visited the Magic Wood and added two classic classics: Practice of the Wild (8b + / c) and News Baseline (8b +).
For Alex it wasn't child's play to climb Practice of the Wild: “One of my biggest struggles on a boulder. From almost doing it, to extending my trip and failing miserably 30 times on the upper crux shoulder move i finally managed to keep it together and top one of my hardest and favorite boulders! sure if it really is an 8c, as originally suggested by the first ascent Chris Sharma. Some have already questioned the degree. It is definitely an ingenious line. See for yourself.
Alex Khazanov climbs Practice of the Wild in Magic Wood
With New Baseline another classic climbed
The Averstal still has many hard boulders ready. With New Baseline (8b +) the Israeli climbs a second boulder in the upper eighth French grade. He comments on the successful climb as follows: “I have a special love / hate relationship with this boulder. Although its not physically the hardest boulder i have done, its the one the took me the most effort. I have tried it for the first time back in 2013 and came back way to many times for it. (Just to realize i simply cannot do it). Completing this boulder reminds me of why i climb. I climb for those challenges, for the failure and for the success. It reminds me that doing somthing hard for yourself is much more fulfilling then just a high number. "
Credits: picture Valery Kremer