Christian Core

In 1999 Core stopped competing in the Lead Climbing World Cup and started participating in the Bouldering World Cup, organized by UIAA in that year for the first time in history.[1] He immediately won the Cup, and again in 2002.[2] In 2003, he earned the title of World Champion in bouldering.[3]

He has ascended several very hard boulders in Italy near Bobbio Pellice, Varazze, and Triora. In 2008, he climbed Gioia, the first-ever boulder graded 8C+ (V16) in history, and was for 8 years, the most difficult boulder in the world. In 2011, Adam Ondra repeated the ascent and confirmed the grade,[4] however, in 2015, Core announced that someone had chipped new holds into Gioia, which he could only partially repair, and which slightly lowered the grade.[5]

Core redpointed 8c (5.14b) and onsighted 8a (5.13b) routes.

Core redpointed 8C+ (V16) and flashed 8A (V11) boulder problems.

8C+/V16:

• Gioia – Varazze (ITA) – 2008 – First ascent.[8] Adam Ondra repeated it on 6 December 2011 and confirmed the 8C+ grade.[9] Third ascent by Nalle Hukkataival[10]

8C/V15:

• Kimera – Rifugio Barbara (Bobbio Pellice, ITA) – 2006 – First ascent[11]

8B+/V14:

• Toky – Val Ellero (ITA) – 2009 – First ascent[12]
• New Base Line – Magic Wood (CHE) – 2006[13]
• Beautiful mind – Albarracin (ESP) – 2006 – First ascent[14]
• Ajna – Varazze (ITA) – 2004 – First ascent[15]
• Toguro – Varazze (ITA) – 2003 – First ascent[16]
• Dreamtime – Cresciano (CHE) – 2003 – Fifth ascent (first ascent by Fred Nicole)[17]
• Taklimakam plus – Varazze (ITA) – 2002 – First ascent[18]
• Shadowfax – Chironico (CHE) – 2002 – Third ascent (first ascent by Dave Graham)[19]