Matt Fultz repeats Vecchio Leone sit (8C+)

Matt Fultz secures the first repeat of Vecchio Leone sit (8C+) in Brione. It's the seventh boulder of this grade for the strong American, but the first time he's cracked such a difficult problem outside of the States.

If you look at his performance curve over the past few years, the American professional climber is Matt Fultz definitely a 9A candidate: in 2020 he combined three 8C boulders and one boulder rated 8C+ in his ticklist. In the first half of 2021, four 8C's and three 8C+ lines (Sleepwalker, Grand Illusion, Creature from the Black Lagoon) were added. In the summer of 2022, among other things, the first ascent of Brace for the cure (8C +) and recently in Brione the first repetition of Vecchio Leone sit (8C+)

Matt Fultz climbs Vecchio Leone sit (8C+) in Brione

The Generations Project

Vecchio Leone (8B) is one of Brione's great classics. First climbed in the early 2000s by bouldering pioneer Bernd Zangerl, the boulder is still considered a real touchstone today. In November 2022, Aidan Roberts opened the 8C+ rated sit start version, leaving the climbing world with an even greater challenge.

«I was drawn to Vecchio Leone Sit by its beautiful setting, its incredible quality and its movements.»

Matt Fultz

It took Matt Fultz eight sessions to secure the first rep of Vecchio Leone Sit (8C+). The strong American also had to endure painful moments, as the following video shows.

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.

Don't miss anything - receive our newsletter

* Indicates required
Interests

+ + +

Credits: Cover picture Matt Fultz

News

Chris Sharma back on the competition stage – Road to LA 28

Rock diving icon and deep-water solo pioneer Chris Sharma has a new goal in mind: the 2028 Olympics! To that end, the American is returning to the competition stage and will try to secure a place on the American national team this weekend. 

The hardest trad route in the world? – Connor Herson makes the first ascent of »Drifter's Escape« (9a+)

American trad climbing pro Connor Herson secured the first ascent of the route "Drifters Escape" in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada on July 14, 2025. The line is his most difficult first ascent to date and the culmination of two climbing seasons spent working on it.

Jennerstier 2026: That was Germany's toughest ski mountaineering race

This year's Jennerstier race in Berchtesgaden featured not only the premier individual event, but also the German Championship title and the Junior World Championship title. Nearly 500 athletes competed in Germany's most demanding ski mountaineering race over the weekend.

Incredible achievement: Esteban Daligault (24) climbs the trad final boss »Bon Voyage«

French climber Esteban Daligault has secured the fourth repeat of James Pearson's legendary "Bon Voyage" in Annot. He is the youngest climber to have successfully completed the world's hardest trad route.

Chris Sharma back on the competition stage – Road to LA 28

Rock diving icon and deep-water solo pioneer Chris Sharma has a new goal in mind: the 2028 Olympics! To that end, the American is returning to the competition stage and will try to secure a place on the American national team this weekend. 

The hardest trad route in the world? – Connor Herson makes the first ascent of »Drifter's Escape« (9a+)

American trad climbing pro Connor Herson secured the first ascent of the route "Drifters Escape" in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada on July 14, 2025. The line is his most difficult first ascent to date and the culmination of two climbing seasons spent working on it.

Jennerstier 2026: That was Germany's toughest ski mountaineering race

This year's Jennerstier race in Berchtesgaden featured not only the premier individual event, but also the German Championship title and the Junior World Championship title. Nearly 500 athletes competed in Germany's most demanding ski mountaineering race over the weekend.