Nicole Adds Hueco Testpiece

by Alan James and Mick Ryan Hueco Tanks Fred Nicole has added yet another desperate problem to his long list of impressive first ascents. This latest problem, calledTerremer could be the hardest yet and has been given a provisional grade of 8c+ or V16! It is at Hueco in Texas and is a long combination problem starting on a V12 Mer Diaphane and joining Fred´s own Terre de Sienne, a V15 roof problem. This would make it one of only three recorded V16s in the World. The other two proposed V16s are both by Dai Koyamada: The Wheel of Life is a huge link-up problem at Hollow Caves Mountain in the Grampians, Australia. His other mega-problem is another long link-up, Hydrangea at Nodachiiwa in Shiobara, Japan. Then there is Witness the Fitness Chris Sharma´s newish boulder problem at Horsehoe Canyon Ranch on the sublime sandstone of Arkansas. As usual it is ungraded but Sharma thought it to be his hardest yet. Also at Hueco is Dave Graham fresh from an incredible three years climbing at Switzerland, he has just repeated Esperanza, Fred Nicole´s V14. What´s next we wonder? Ben Moon is also at Hueco Tanks. It may be an interesting few weeks out in Texas. We´ll keep you posted. ( Source: Climbing magazine )

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