Bouldering, while generally one of the simplest forms of climbing, tends to see some of the most creative routes. If you don’t know, bouldering is a form of climbing that leaves out the ropes, harnesses and equipment and sticks to shorter rock faces where falls, even from the top of the climb, are much less consequential.
It’s simple concept and lack of gear seem to open up a whole new door of creativity, though, in both the route building and the climbing itself. In gyms, route builders can get weird and wild with the holds and obstacles, creating serious challenges that push the limits of what’s possible. This route tackled by professional climber Janja Garnbret is a great demonstration of that creativity.
In order to get from one hold to the other, Janja initiates a sort of tornado spin and jump, allowing her to grab a stable position between two holds. It’s seriously impressive and is one of those routes than can likely only be accomplished by the best of the best.
Janja is easily among the best of the best, if not the best of the best. 27-years-old and from Slovenia, she’s became the inaugural female Olympic gold medalist in climbing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after winning the combined event. Then in 2024 at the Paris Olympics, she took another gold medal in bouldering and a silver medal in lead. Plus she’s won 8 World Championships, 2 in lead, 3 in bouldering, and 3 in combined, and 4 European Championships.
