Under the radar: Nathan Williams bouldering Sleepwalker (8c +)

The 22-year-old Nathan Williams succeeds only the fifth ascent of the Boulder Sleepwalker in the Red Rocks. But who is Nathan Williams?

The name Nathan Williams won't mean anything to many. The 22-year-old American made it into the climbing media once before with his flash ascent of the 8a + Boulder Black Hawk Down in South Africa in 2016, but otherwise it remained quiet about Nathan.

Nathan Williams inspecting Sleepwalker in the Red Rocks (picture Alton Richardson)

A look at his ticklist in 2020 is not particularly impressive. The most difficult ascent this year were the two boulders Rust (8b) and Brass Knuckles (8b +). But now Nathan drops a bomb. A few days ago he announced the repetition of the Boulder Sleepwalker in the Red Rocks, rated 8c +.

Sleepwalker: Committed by everyone of rank and name

The boulder is by no means a blank slate or a boulder that is even overrated in terms of its difficulty. Because boulder sizes like Jimmy Webb (First ascent), Daniel Woods, Nalle Hukkataival and the young talent Drew Ruana have bitten their teeth on the block for a long time to wrest an inspection of the line. The 8c + rating is therefore confirmed.

We look forward to further inspections of Nathan Williams.

That might interest you

+ + +
Credits: Pictures Alton Richardson

News

Two Olympic champions win in Innsbruck | Results Boulder, Lead & Overall Ranking

Janja Garnbret wins double gold in Innsbruck, and Toby Roberts wins in bouldering. In the men's competition, an unusually easy final route causes discontent.

Paraclimbing gets first official German championship

On July 5 and 6, 2025, the first official open German Paraclimbing Championship will take place at the DAV Climbing Center in Augsburg – a milestone for inclusive climbing.

Above the abyss: first highline at over 4.000 meters in the Mont Blanc massif

The French collective “Les Passagers du Vide” has created a highline at a dizzying 4.000 meters altitude in the Mont Blanc massif – without a helicopter or external assistance.

Jakob Schubert cancels home World Cup due to injury

Jakob Schubert will not be participating in the World Cup in Innsbruck due to a long-term finger injury. The decision was particularly difficult for the six-time world champion, considering he won the Austrian National Championships just last week.

Two Olympic champions win in Innsbruck | Results Boulder, Lead & Overall Ranking

Janja Garnbret wins double gold in Innsbruck, and Toby Roberts wins in bouldering. In the men's competition, an unusually easy final route causes discontent.

Paraclimbing gets first official German championship

On July 5 and 6, 2025, the first official open German Paraclimbing Championship will take place at the DAV Climbing Center in Augsburg – a milestone for inclusive climbing.

Above the abyss: first highline at over 4.000 meters in the Mont Blanc massif

The French collective “Les Passagers du Vide” has created a highline at a dizzying 4.000 meters altitude in the Mont Blanc massif – without a helicopter or external assistance.