These are the most difficult boulders in the world

We have compiled a list of the most difficult boulders in the world from 8C+ onwards. There are currently eight 9A boulders: Arrival of the Birds, Spots of Time, L'ombre du voyageur, Alphane, Megatron, Return of the Sleepwalker, Burden of Dreams and Soudain Seul, with Alphane, Burden of Dreams and Return of the Sleepwalker being the only ones to have been repeated and their grade confirmed.

Among the most difficult boulders in the world Arrival of the Birds, Spots of Time, L'ombre du voyageur (9A), alphanes (9A), Megatron (9A) Burden of Dreams (9A), Return of the Sleepwalker (9A) as well Soudain Seul (9A). L'ombre du voyageur, Megatron, Return of the Sleepwalker as well as Arrival of the Birds and Spots of Time have not yet been repeated.

The Boulder Soudain Seul was passed on the first ascent Simon Lorenzi Rated 9A, passed on second ascent Nico Pelorson downgraded to 8C+ and through Camille Coudert rated 9A again on the third ascent.

Shawn Raboutou's Alphane was repeated several times shortly after the first ascent and its grade was confirmed. Burden of Dreams has three repeats, with Will Bosi, Simon Lorenzi and Elias Iagnemme confirming the grade 9A.

Overview: Most difficult boulders from 8C +

The list in the 8C+ area is significantly longer. The following compilation gives an overview of the most difficult boulders in the world from grade 8C+ (V16). The list is continuously updated. Notes on lines missing from the list are welcome and can be communicated in the comments field.

The most difficult boulders in the world | As of 10.07.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX

Cityroute nameareaFirst climbed byFirst ascent on
9AArrival of the BirdsChironicoAidan RobertsMarch 2024
9ASpots of TimeLake districtAidan RobertsFebruary 2024
9AL'ombre du voyageurSaleveCharles Albert18.10.2023
9AMegatronEl Dorado CanyonShawn RaboutouSpring 2022
9AalphanesChironicoShawn Raboutou, reviewed and graded by Aidan Roberts, Will Bosi, and Simon Lorenzi06.04.2022
9AReturn of the SleepwalkerBlack Velvet Canyon, Red RocksDaniel Woods, repeated and confirmed by Will Bosi30.03.2021
9ABurden of DreamsLappnorNalle Hukkataival, repeated and confirmed to the degree by Will Bosi, Simon Lorenzi and Elias Iagnemma23.10.2016
9ASoudain SeulFontainebleauSimon Lorenzi10.02.2021
8C +Muerte por asfixiaThe PedrizaPablo ZamoraMarch 2024
8C +AdrenalineColoradoDaniel WoodsFebruary 2024
8C +DeviationbuttermilksSean baileyJanuary 2024
8C +CelestialVal BavonaDave Graham28.03.2023
8C +Maxwell's Demon SitCoal CreekDrew RuanaFebruary 2023
8C +The MeggSquamish backpackGabe Lawson23.01.2023
8C +bookkeepingColoradoDrew RuanaDecember 2022
8C +Vecchio Leone sit startBrioneAidan RobertsNovember 2022
8C +DistortionLincoln CaveDrew RuanaAugust 2022
8C +Honey badgerBadger CoveWill BosiAugust 2022
8C +Isles of Wonder SitstartLlyn OgwenAidan Roberts, Will Bosi suggests 8CJuly 2022
8C +Story of 3 WorldsCrescianoShawn RaboutouJuly 2022
8C +Brace for the cureRocky mountain national parkMatt Fultz27.06.2022
8C +EuclaseVal BavonaDave Graham20.4.2022
8C +Daños con- lateralesMurciaNacho Sanchez10.04.2022
8C +GakidoTohokuShinichiro Nomura20.03.2022
8C +Big ConvictionFontainebleauSimon Lorenzi23.01.2022
8C +GaneshTintoralElias Iagnemma02.01.2022
8C +HallucinationhouraiKazume Ise19.12.2021
8C +floatinMizugakiRyuichi Murai11.12.2021
8C +NexusShiobaraRyuichi Murai24.10.2021
8C +Moonlight SonataJoe's ValleyTaylor McNeill03.10.2021
8C +Fuck the SystemFionnayShawn Raboutousummer 2021
8C +InsomniacMount evansDrew Ruana11.07.2021
8C +Big ZTahoe MountainsShawn Raboutou29.12.2020
8C +LedoborecMoravian KarstAdam Ondra24.06.2020
8C +Brutal riderColumnAdam Ondra25.05.2020
8C +The grand illusionLittle Cottonwood CanyonNathaniel ColemanJanuary 2020
8C +UnitedMizugakiRyuichi Murai11.07.2019
8C +EphyraChironicoJimmy WebbApril 2019
8C +REMCrescianoGiuliano Cameroni. Paul Robinson reported 8B+ after his repeat.09.03.2019
8C +Poison the WellBrioneGiuliano Cameroni12.02.2019
8C +No Kpote OnlyFontainebleauCharles AlbertJanuary 2019
8C +SleepwalkerBlack Velvet Canyon, Red RocksJimmy Webb15.12.2018
8C +Hypothesis assisFontainebleauCharles AlbertDecember 2018
8C +The Box TherapyRocky mountain national parkDaniel Woods31.10.2018
8C +Off the Wagon LowVal BavonaShawn Raboutou27.11.2018
8C +La RévolutionnaireFontainebleauCharles AlbertNovember 2017
8C +nayutaGeroDai Koyamada04.04.2017
8C +Creature from the Black LagoonRocky mountain national parkDaniel Woods27.09.2016
8C +Drop a lineCousimbertPirmin Bertle01.04.2015
8C +The ProcessBishopDaniel Woods15.01.2015
8C +Livin 'LargeRocklandsNalle Hukkataival08.2009
8C +The Story of Two Worlds Low StartCrescianoDai Koyamada22.03.2015
8C +NewfoundlandHolsteinAdam Ondra10.11.2011
8C +Ice Knife sitGuanella PassDaniel WoodsNovember 2013
8C +Hypnotized MindsRocky mountain national parkDaniel Woods21.10.2010
8C +EpitaphMount HoraiDai Koyamada (Route originally 8C, upgraded to 8C+ after grip breakouts)2009
8C +EnjoymentVarazzeChristianCore25.02.2008
Compilation of all bouldering problems with difficulty level 8C+ or harder

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Credits: Cover picture Blue Kangoo Films

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