Climbing · Worth knowing

Ethan Pitcher from Canada won the men's speed competition at the 2026 Pan America Climbing Championship in Curitiba, Brazil (August 22-23), while Valentina Camila Flores Cortes took the women's speed title.

Delphine Chenevier, a 49-year-old climber, recently sent Vagabond d'occid'ANX (8b+), a 35-meter route in Gorges de Crossey known for its technical, crimpy style characteristic of the Grenoble area. She completed the ascent in five sessions after initially doubting whether the overhanging, pocket-filled traverse and demanding vertical finish suited her climbing style, but pieced together the movements faster than expected. In an interview, Chenevier discussed her training regimen, which balances her professional life with after-work rock sessions, evening hangboard training, morning yoga and pilates, and weekend climbing with friends, noting that she prioritizes enjoyment and route discovery over intense summer climbing projects.

Andrew Nimmer completed Martial Law (9a+) in Mt. Charleston after moving to Las Vegas three and a half years ago to access hard sport climbs. He attributed his success to taking his training, diet, and recovery more seriously, focusing on sport climbing for consecutive seasons, and receiving support from his climbing community, including coaching from Joe Kinder on knee bar technique. He plans to return to bouldering later this year while climbing more 8b+ to 9a routes in Vegas and Rifle. Radek Votocek sent Hantillio (9a) at Drachenwand, completing his first three 9a ascents within two months. The route features a powerful dynamic move through a big overhang with a crux requiring a precise catch on a small edge. Laura Rogora completed Bibliographie (9b+) in Céüse in just six days, originally planning only a two-day exploration. Anak Verhoeven sent Rainshadow (9a) in Malham after working the route on and off for several weeks in spring, managing an injury to her left ring finger with rest days and taping. Pierre Shankland repeated two new routes by Matteo Soulé—Trois pattes dans la chouffe (9a) and Chouffe qui plâtre (9a)—in Gorges Du Tarn after four trips spanning multiple months. Pepa Šindel completed Modified (9a+) in Frankenjura, the harder right-hand variant of Classified, on his seventh attempt. Jernej Kruder made the first repeat of Pete Whittaker's trad route Crown Royale (9a) in Jøssingfjord. Domen Škofic sent Move (9b) in Flatanger, a hard project in the cave that he completed after two weeks of focused work following earlier attempts last September.