A young climber just made history! Julian Ogden is only 18 years old. He might be the youngest person ever to climb a V17 problem. This is the hardest kind of rock climb.
Julian achieved this huge feat on Sunday, March 10. He climbed a route called “Dark Matter.” You can find this very tough climb in Philadelphia.
He was in Philadelphia for a big event. It was the U.S. National Bouldering Championships. The “Dark Matter” climb was not part of the competition. It was his own project.
Imagine climbing something super hard, just for fun! Julian did this during a major competition. That’s a lot of pressure!
V17 is a special rating. It means the climb is incredibly difficult. Only a few people in the world have ever finished a V17 climb. It is truly a big deal.
Julian has actually tried “Dark Matter” before. He gave it a try last year in 2023. He knew what he needed to do this time. He was ready for it.
“I had a pretty good idea of what I needed to do,” Julian said. He felt prepared for the challenge. He knew the moves.
After he finished the climb, he was very happy. “I was so happy about having actually done the climb,” he shared. But then he remembered the competition. He still had to compete!
He felt very tired after his amazing climb. “I was just kind of exhausted after that,” he admitted. It took a lot of his energy.
Julian still finished strong in the competition. He placed 5th overall. This is a great finish among many skilled climbers.
What is V17 and Why Is It So Hard?
V17 is the hardest grade for a type of climbing called bouldering. Bouldering means climbing on big rocks or walls. You don’t use ropes like in other types of climbing. You are usually not very high off the ground.
These climbs are often short. But they have very tricky handholds and footholds. Climbers need incredible strength. They also need amazing balance and problem-solving skills.
Think of it like solving a puzzle with your body. Each move must be perfect. One small mistake can make you fall. Julian showed he has these skills.
Only a tiny group of climbers have completed V17 routes. Before Julian, only about seven people worldwide had done it. This shows how special his climb is.
In North America, even fewer people have climbed V17. Only three people had done it before Julian. Now, he might be the fourth!
The very first person to climb a V17 was Daniel Woods. He is a climbing legend. Daniel climbed his first V17 when he was 31 years old. Julian is much younger!
Before Julian, the youngest person to climb V17 was Simon Lorenzi. Simon did his V17 climb when he was 24 years old. Julian beat that age by a lot!
Julian is just 18. This makes his achievement truly standout. It shows his great talent. It also shows how hard he works.
Will “Dark Matter” Really Be V17?
The climbing world needs to confirm the difficulty. When someone climbs a very hard route, others usually try it too. They help confirm the grade. This is how grades become official.
Julian thinks “Dark Matter” is probably a V17. “I think it’s possible, but it takes a lot of time,” he said. He knows grading is hard. Other climbers will need to try it.
Daniel Woods also shared his thoughts. He posted about it on Instagram. He said “Dark Matter” seems as hard as other V17 climbs. This is a good sign for Julian!
Here are some other famous V17 climbs and their climbers:
- “Alphane” (V17): Sent by Shawn Raboutou in 2022.
- “Alphane” (V17): Also sent by Will Bosi in 2022.
- “Alphane” (V17): And by Aidan Roberts in 2022.
It’s cool to see so many top climbers pushing limits. Julian is now among them. His climb adds to this exciting history.
Do you like climbing? You can learn more about what bouldering is. It’s a fun sport to watch or even try!
Julian’s climb is big news for the sport. He is showing what young climbers can do. He is inspiring many people. What amazing challenge will he tackle next?
This is his first big V17 climb. But Julian has won before. He won the 2023 Youth Nationals. He is a strong competitor. He has a bright future in climbing.
We will wait to hear if other climbers confirm the V17 grade. But for now, Julian’s climb is a huge win. He has made a mark in climbing history. He did it at a very young age.
Isn’t it amazing to see someone break records? Julian is a great example of dedication. He worked hard for this. And now he is getting the praise he deserves.
Keep an eye on Julian Ogden. He is a rising star. He could change what we think is possible in climbing. It is an exciting time for adventure sports.
Learn more about USA Climbing and its events on their official website. Maybe you’ll find a competition near you!
