Will Bosi has once again raised the bar in the world of bouldering with his historic second ascent of ‘Spots of Time’ (9A/V17) at Helvellyn in the UK’s Lake District. Will’s ascent, achieved after eight dedicated sessions, marks a significant milestone as he becomes the first climber to send four different boulders graded 9A/V17, cementing his place among the very best in the sport. Let’s break down this remarkable achievement and what it means for Will and the future of elite bouldering.

Aidan Roberts’ ‘Spots of Time’: A World-Class Boulder in the UK

First climbed by Aidan Roberts in February 2024, ‘Spots of Time’ is considered the hardest boulder problem in the UK. The line, which took Aidan more than 30 sessions to complete, is located in a quiet, picturesque spot on the slopes of Helvellyn. Describing it as one of his proudest moments, Aidan acknowledged the intense challenge of the problem, calling it “fingers intensive,” with slick and flat edges that require precise opposition and fast pace.

For Will, the allure of the line was undeniable. “What an incredible line!” he shared after his ascent, emphasizing the boulder’s technical complexity. He used a slightly different sequence from Aidan, skipping an intermediate hold and opting for a more dynamic method that better suited his style. Even with the slight beta variation, Will confirmed that ‘Spots of Time’ felt like a solid 9A/V17, drawing comparisons to his experience on ‘Burden of Dreams’.

Will Bosi’s Path to Four 9A/V17 Boulders

Bosi’s ascent of ‘Spots of Time’ is the latest in a series of groundbreaking achievements at the 9A/V17 grade. His journey into the highest echelon of bouldering began in October 2022 with the third ascent of Shawn Raboutou’s ‘Alphane’ (9A/V17) in Switzerland. At the time, Will, like many elite climbers, was grappling with the nuances of bouldering grades at this level, acknowledging that ‘Alphane’ might sit on the “softer” end of 9A/V17.

Fast forward to April 2023, and Will made waves with the second ascent of Nalle Hukkataival’s ‘Burden of Dreams’ (9A/V17) in Finland, widely considered one of the hardest boulders in the world. The problem took him 24 sessions to complete, a process that included extensive training on a replica before tackling the real thing. Reflecting on the experience, Will described the ascent as “one of the most amazing experiences” of his life and affirmed that ‘Burden of Dreams’ felt harder than ‘Alphane’.

In February 2024, Will added another 9A/V17 to his tick list with the second ascent of Daniel Woods’ ‘Return of the Sleepwalker’ in Red Rock, Nevada. Once again, he used his deep experience and elite-level skill to master the problem in just 12 sessions, further solidifying his position at the cutting edge of bouldering.

A Benchmark for the Future of Bouldering Grades

With four 9A/V17 ascents under his belt, Will Bosi is leading the charge in what is still a relatively new and debated grade in the world of bouldering. His experience across different 9A/V17 problems highlights the subtle differences in style and difficulty that make grading at this level so complex.

Comparing his climbs, Will admitted that distinguishing between the upper grades of 8C+/V16 and 9A/V17 remains a challenge. He noted that both ‘Burden of Dreams’ and ‘Spots of Time’ felt harder for him than ‘Alphane’ and ‘Return of the Sleepwalker’, suggesting that the latter two might sit on the softer end of the 9A/V17 spectrum. Will’s ongoing reflection on these climbs will likely contribute to a broader consensus in the climbing community as more climbers attempt and repeat these problems.

What’s Next for Will Bosi?

As if four 9A/V17 boulders weren’t enough, Will Bosi shows no signs of slowing down. He has set his sights on Japan, where he plans to explore the country’s outdoor climbing. Japan is home to a wealth of challenging boulder problems, and with its rich climbing history, it offers a new frontier for Will to test his skills.

“I cannot wait to see what a country with such a rich heritage of hard climbing has to offer,” Will shared, clearly excited for the next chapter in his bouldering journey.

Conclusion

Will Bosi’s second ascent of ‘Spots of Time’ is a monumental moment in modern bouldering. His ability to adapt his beta, push through the technical complexities of the problem, and reflect on the subtleties of grading at the highest level demonstrates not only his physical prowess but also his deep understanding of climbing. With Japan on the horizon and more hard lines in his sights, this is just the start of Will’s journey, and we can only expect more groundbreaking sends in the future.

At Lattice Training, we’re excited to see how Will continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in bouldering. His achievements are an inspiration to climbers everywhere, showcasing the importance of dedication, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of personal limits.