American strong man Dave Graham has put up a new problem at Cresciano (left) in Switzerland. He has graded the problem, A Story of Two Worlds, Font 8c (V15). This isn't the first problem to be given this grade however Dave has written a strongly critical statement on 8a.nu in which, not only does he state emphatically that he thinks this is the hardest problem around, but he also has a dig at many of the other claimed 8cs and 8b+s implying that media grade hype has led to a distorted impression of the top boulder problems.
The statement itself will of course generate much media speculation and hype. On what basis is he claiming that this is the hardest problem in the world? Has he 'sent' all claimed 8c's? If so where to?
I think he means the other 8C and 8C+ problems apart from Dreamtime. It does seem rather odd to think he can assess the difficulty of things he hasn't seen. Presumably he's basing it on the grades given by other boulderers and comparing their ratings of other things that both he and they have done.
I was at Cresciano a couple of weeks back and spent a couple of hours one evening chatting to and watching Dave try this problem. At that time he wasn't getting too far but I think conditions were not so good that evening. But - believe me this problem looked sick. Putting a horendous 6 move or so sit down extention across a rook into an already existing "sick" 8b/8b+ roof - need I say more!! More to the point he is definately not an arrogant guy. Just a fully psyched yet damn freindly climber! Good work!
Comments