Jakob Schubert in the Red Rocks: Is the 9a boulder threatened with devaluation?

A few days ago, Jakob Schubert started his trip to the USA. Now the goal of his stay in Las Vegas is known: He projects the Boulder Return of the Sleepwalker (9a). When will the ascent work? Is the Boulder threatened with devaluation?

Accompanied by his buddies Nicolai Uznik and Michael Piccolruz is Jakob Schubert Arrived in Las Vegas late last week. It quickly became clear in the climbing scene what the goal of the trip was: the sport climbing route Jumbo Love (9b) or the 9a boulder Return of the Sleepwalker? Nicolai Uznik then gave the ultimate hint: Jakob Schubert aims to repeat the Boulder ROTS.

โ€œOn the road again โ€“ with Michael Piccolruaz and Nicolai Uznik. I'm really happy!"

Jakob Schubert

Return of the Sleepwalker was first climbed in April 2021 by the American Daniel Woods and rated 9a. Never before has Daniel Woods Invested so much time in climbing a boulder, which led him to rate the boulder with the magical grade 9a. The line is the sit launch version of the 8c+ rated Boulders Sleepwalker.

Jakob Schubert aka Mr. Downgrade

To date, a total of four boulders have been rated 9a, viz Burden of Dreams (Nalle Hukkataival), No Kpote Only (Charles Albert) and Soudain Seul (Simon Lorenzi). The latter two were repeated a short time later and downgraded in their difficulty. That leaves the lines of Nalle Hukkataival and Daniel Woods.

Will Jakob Schubert repeat the line Daniel Woods climbed first during the trip? A look at his performance over the past few weeks and months suggests that he will be able to repeat it.

Nicolai Uznik announced on the first day: "All trains climbed." (Picture Nicolai Uznik)
Nicolai Uznik announced on the first day: "All trains climbed." (Photo Nicolai Uznik)

The even bigger question is whether Schubert will confirm the level of difficulty. At least since his trip to Spain in December, Schubert has been carrying the takeovers โ€œMr. downgrade". Several difficult sport climbing routes (King Cappella, La Capella, etc.) in the upper ninth French degree, the Austrian climbed within a few days and devalued all by one degree.

Meets the same fate as Daniel Woods with the boulder The Return of the Sleepwalker Will Bosi with the King Capella and La Capella routes? The presence of Jakob Schubert is guaranteed to give Daniel Woods sleepless nights.

That might interest you

Do you like our climbing magazine? When we launched LACRUX, we decided not to introduce a payment barrier. It will stay that way, because we want to provide as many like-minded people with news from the climbing scene.

In order to be more independent of advertising revenue in the future and to provide you with even more and better content, we need your support.

Therefore: Help and support our magazine with a small contribution. Naturally you benefit multiple times. How? You will find out here.

+ + +
Credits: Cover picture Nicolai Uznik

News

Lara Neumeier and Nemuel Feurle free climb difficult big wall route

Lara Neumeier and Nemuel Feurle are free to climb...
00:10:39

Ondra upgrades Boulder: "I hope I don't just get old"

Adam Ondra won the first gold medal in Mladkov, Czech Republic.

Historic: Michaela Kiersch repeats Dreamtime, the world's first 8C boulder

Michaela Kiersch was the first woman to win the...

Film festival season opens | Mountains on Stage Winter Edition 2024

The mountain film festival Mountains on Stage is back with a brand new program and a tour...

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter now and stay up to date.

Lara Neumeier and Nemuel Feurle free climb difficult big wall route

Lara Neumeier and Nemuel Feurle are free ascending El Niรฑo via Pineapple Express Variation (800m, 8a+) in the North America Wall of the...
00:10:39

Ondra upgrades Boulder: "I hope I don't just get old"

Adam Ondra has secured the first repeat of Martin Strรกnรญk's boulder The End of the World (8B) in Mladkov, Czech Republic. Since the...

Historic: Michaela Kiersch repeats Dreamtime, the world's first 8C boulder

Michaela Kiersch is the first woman to repeat the legendary Fred Nicole boulder Dreamtime (8C) in Cresciano. For the American professional climber, it is another highlight in...