Climbers Flock to Fontainebleau

BBLoginZChris — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 07:03:48 +0000

With an estimated 17 million visits each year, the Fontainebleau Forest stands as the most visited natural site in France. To put that into perspective, the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune, attracts around 2.5 million visitors annually. In Fontainebleau, roughly 4 million of those visits are dedicated to climbing alone. Over the past decade, those numbers have surged—especially in the post-COVID years. The Easter holidays in particular have become a peak moment, when the forest fills with climbers drawn to the legendary sandstone blocs.

As this annual wave approaches and boulderers from across Europe make their way to Fontainebleau, it’s worth taking a closer look at the consequences of this growing popularity. The reflections that follow come from interviews conducted by Romain Poisot of Hulotte Productions during the latest Climbing Expo, held in Paris in early 2026.

L’article Climbers Flock to Fontainebleau est apparu en premier sur BBZ, Born in Fontainebleau.

100 sessions pour un 9A – Return of the Sleepwalker, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

BBLoginZChris — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:11:48 +0000

The 8th ascent of The Return of the Sleepwalker (Red Rock Canyon, Nevada), 9A, first ascended by Daniel Woods in 2021, will be remembered as a landmark achievement. American climber Nate Williams needed no fewer than 100 sessions spread over 4 years before succeeding on February 3rd. By chance, Jo & Françoise Montchaussé were present at the base of the boulder that day, deep in one of Red Rock’s canyons. While waiting for the video to be posted on Nate Williams’ Instagram account, here are a few shots of the ascent from an unusual angle that captures the overhang of the boulder perfectly.

Nate Williams is no stranger in the bouldering world. He had completed Sleepwalker, 8c+ (the standing start version) in 2020. His ticklist includes numerous 8b and 8b+ problems as well as two 8c+, among them Creature from the Black Lagoon (Boulder, Colorado) in spring 2024 — yet another boulder opened by Daniel Woods. Nate Williams’ next goal will be Shaolin, also at Red Rock Canyon, and also graded 9A. First ascended by Sean Bailey in February 2024, Shaolin already has 5 repeats, the most recent by Jakob Schubert this past Monday, February 9, 2026.

L’article 100 sessions pour un 9A – Return of the Sleepwalker, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada est apparu en premier sur BBZ, Born in Fontainebleau.