Shauna Coxsey has made the first female ascent of Arthur’s Bulge (f8A), on the Mother Cap Quarry Boulder, at Mother Cap and Quarry, in the Peak District. 

The boulder, first climbed by Ned Feehally, had seen just two repeats prior to Shauna's. Shauna worked the boulder alongside Ned, as well as one of the boulder's only other ascensionists, Ben Bransby. 

'I was with Ned when he made the first ascent of Arthur's Bulge and it's been on my list ever since', Shauna told UKC, 'For a little boulder it packs in some really fun, pretty tricky moves!'

'Felt good to go back and get it done after falling off lots the other day'.

As for the grade, Shauna told UKC 'Ned originally gave this 7C+ but I personally feel for me, it felt like a solid 8A'. 

Spreaking on Instagram, Shauna added 'The original doesn't get done much (there's a left hand version - Arthur’s Bulge Left-hand (f8A) - that does). A friend asked why I think it's not as popular because it seems really cool. I wasn't sure. Then I saw this splits move!'

'It kinda feels bunchy and flexy at the same time and the moves feel big and the holds are really bad (in a good way!)'.

After retiring from comp climbing after the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and having a baby as well as double knee surgery in 2022, Shauna turned her attention to rock in 2023, climbing five boulders at 8A and above, including two at 8B.

You can read our interview with Shauna about her most recent 8B ascent below: