Germany vs. Great Britain - Where was the first 9a climbed in the world?

The latest episode of Actiontalk TV and LACRUX's BETA program is dedicated to historical climbing routes such as Action Directe, Hubble and Akira. In exclusive interviews with the German climbing professional Alex Megos and the controversial Frenchman Fred Rouhling, we investigate the question of whether climbing history needs to be rewritten and what about the confused history of the 9b route Akira.

The BETA news show is presented by Bächli Bergsport and Mammut

As part of the fifth issue of BETA, we also have brief news about the bouldering blocks, the European Championship and show previously (with good reason) unpublished footage from our shooting. And we are giving away a set of friends from on Youtube Wild Country.

The topics of episode 5 of BETA at a glance

Actiontalk BETA - Episode 5

Book_Roger-Schaeli_Passion_Eiger_Cover_web

Exciting stories from the north face

Do you have a weakness for gripping stories? Then the book is Passion Eiger right for you. Roger Schäli knows the Eiger north face like the back of his hand. He climbed the legendary wall around 50 times - on both classic and new routes. With his Book Passion Eiger The professional alpinist now lets you look into his passion on 200 pages and also unravels the history of the north face.

The golden age from 1966 with the Josh Harlin and the Japanese route or the Czech pillar find space in the book as well as the development of spectacular routes in the recent past.

That might interest you

News

The »Pro Climbing League« will start in London in 2026 – Janja Garnbret and Toby Roberts will be at the starting line.

Fast-paced, exciting, and easy to understand: The Pro Climbing League is a new bouldering competition format that pits world-class athletes against each other in a thrilling format. The first event will take place in London in February 2026, with live coverage provided by Red Bull TV.

World Climbing – The IFSC embarks on a new future with a new identity

The international governing body for competitive climbing is undergoing a major transformation: the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is becoming World Climbing. After almost 19 years, the organization is abandoning its somewhat cumbersome acronym and presenting itself with a clear goal: to position sport climbing as a global brand and a modern movement.

Interview: Elias Iagnemma on what might be the world's first 9A+

In November 2025, after four years and 211 attempts, Italian climber Elias Iagnemma topped his hardest boulder problem to date. The 30-year-old graded the unfinished project by climbing legend Christian Core 9A+ – a strong statement to the climbing world! Now he's speaking in detail about "Exodia" for the first time.

“I’ve never tried so hard before” – Matilda Söderlund masters “Spomin” (8c)

Swedish professional climber Matilda Söderlund achieved the... in mid-November

The »Pro Climbing League« will start in London in 2026 – Janja Garnbret and Toby Roberts will be at the starting line.

Fast-paced, exciting, and easy to understand: The Pro Climbing League is a new bouldering competition format that pits world-class athletes against each other in a thrilling format. The first event will take place in London in February 2026, with live coverage provided by Red Bull TV.

World Climbing – The IFSC embarks on a new future with a new identity

The international governing body for competitive climbing is undergoing a major transformation: the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is becoming World Climbing. After almost 19 years, the organization is abandoning its somewhat cumbersome acronym and presenting itself with a clear goal: to position sport climbing as a global brand and a modern movement.

Interview: Elias Iagnemma on what might be the world's first 9A+

In November 2025, after four years and 211 attempts, Italian climber Elias Iagnemma topped his hardest boulder problem to date. The 30-year-old graded the unfinished project by climbing legend Christian Core 9A+ – a strong statement to the climbing world! Now he's speaking in detail about "Exodia" for the first time.