One of the most difficult flash ascents - Daniel Woods boulders Compass North (8B +)

The American top climber Daniel Woods flashes the Boulders Compass North (8B+) in Fionnay. It is only the third ascent of the line after Clément Lechaptois and Aidan Roberts and one of his most difficult flash ascents for Daniel Woods.

Compass North (8B+) in the Valais climbing Mecca Fionnay was earlier this year by Clément Lechaptois first ascent and later by Aidan Roberts . Daniel Woods had already taken a closer look at the powerful groin boulder in May and found it suitable for a flash ascent. "While the key holds are pretty nasty, the moves are simple and very straight forward, making Compass North a great Flash contender," said Daniel Woods.

The 33-year-old only had to wait for the optimal conditions. When he returned to Fionnay in the autumn, the time had come and the weather conditions promised the best friction. «Everything worked the way I had imagined. I'm happy about the third ascent after Clem Lechaptois and Aidan Roberts."

With regard to the level of difficulty, Daniel Woods says: "I'm not sure if the 8B+ line will remain, but who knows." Everything about this boulder corresponds exactly to his preferred climbing style and it was still a good fight. "Regardless of whether it's 8B+ or 8B/+, Compass North is one of my most difficult flash ascents to date and I'm proud of it."

Illustrious group of 8B+ flashers

Few athletes have managed to flash 8B+ boulders like this, including Adam Ondra with Jade and  gecko assis, Daniel Woods with Entlinge and Compass North, Jimmy Webb with The Globalist, Tomoa Narasaki with Decided, Ned Feehally with Trust Issues, Jakob Schubert with Never Ending Story, Catalan Witness the Fitness and  Anam Cara or William Bosi with Charizard.

That might interest you

• One of the hardest flash inspections: Tomoa Narasaki with Decided (8b +)
• Jakob Schubert flashes The Never Ending Story (8b +) and other 8-piece boulder
• The Russian Vadim Timonov commits Black Eagle Assis (8c) and flashes hipster whale (8b)

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Credits: Cover picture @lisapaarviophotography