Dave Graham

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Also known as: The Wizard

Quick Info

From: USA 🇺🇸
Date of birth: 10th November 1981
Age: 44 years old
Gender: Male
Hardest Boulder (Worked): 8C+
Hardest Boulder (Flash): 8A
Hardest Sport (Worked): 9a+
Notable Partnerships
Alizée Dufraisse
Chris Sharma
Luke Parady

Dave Graham is an American boulderer and sport climber who is known for his extremely technical climbing style that makes a lot of use of toe hooks and knee bars, as well as his longevity in the sport and his extensive collection of first ascents.

Graham started climbing in 1997 and very quickly worked his way through the grades, climbing his first 8b+ sport route just a year later. By the end of 2000, he had climbed 9a, bouldered 8B and made a historic flash of C'Était Demain (8A). But that was just the start.

Some of his notable ascents include The Story of Two Worlds (fa), Action Directe (fourth ascent), From Dirt Grows the Flowers (fa), The Island (fa) and The Ice Knife (fa).

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2bZsFZdpgs

[2] Interview with PlanetMountain.com, 2001 https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/interviews/dave-graham.html

[3] Interview with climbing.com 2022, https://www.climbing.com/people/what-ive-learned-dave-graham/

Contributors
567 contributions since 27th December 2020.
TdG
53 contributions since 29th August 2025.
25 contributions since 3rd June 2024.
8 contributions since 13th December 2025.
8 contributions since 2nd October 2025.
TEV
8 contributions since 17th December 2025.
6 contributions since 20th January 2025.
5 contributions since 10th September 2025.
ben
3 contributions since 7th July 2025.

Quick Info

From: USA 🇺🇸
Date of birth: 10th November 1981
Age: 44 years old
Gender: Male
Hardest Boulder (Worked): 8C+
Hardest Boulder (Flash): 8A
Hardest Sport (Worked): 9a+
Notable Partnerships
Alizée Dufraisse
Chris Sharma
Luke Parady

Dave Graham is an American boulderer and sport climber who is known for his extremely technical climbing style that makes a lot of use of toe hooks and knee bars, as well as his longevity in the sport and his extensive collection of first ascents.

Graham started climbing in 1997 and very quickly worked his way through the grades, climbing his first 8b+ sport route just a year later. By the end of 2000, he had climbed 9a, bouldered 8B and made a historic flash of C'Était Demain (8A). But that was just the start.

Some of his notable ascents include The Story of Two Worlds (fa), Action Directe (fourth ascent), From Dirt Grows the Flowers (fa), The Island (fa) and The Ice Knife (fa).

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2bZsFZdpgs

[2] Interview with PlanetMountain.com, 2001 https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/interviews/dave-graham.html

[3] Interview with climbing.com 2022, https://www.climbing.com/people/what-ive-learned-dave-graham/

Contributors
567 contributions since 27th December 2020.
TdG
53 contributions since 29th August 2025.
25 contributions since 3rd June 2024.
8 contributions since 13th December 2025.
8 contributions since 2nd October 2025.
TEV
8 contributions since 17th December 2025.
6 contributions since 20th January 2025.
5 contributions since 10th September 2025.
ben
3 contributions since 7th July 2025.

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Ascents

149 recorded ascents.

This timeline is missing some ascents where the date of the ascent is unknown.
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Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpSfHQtBdOQ

[2] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/dave-graham-sends-realisation-at-ceuse.html
La Rambla Extension 9a+ Lead | worked Mar 2019

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6JrnE77MEQ
The Fly First ascent. 9a Lead | worked 7th Apr 2000

References

[1] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/dave-graham-action-directe.html
Ice Cream 9a Lead | worked 30th Oct 2001
Psychedelic First ascent. Fourth go. 9a Lead | worked 8th Nov 2001
Bain de Sang Third go. 9a Lead | worked 13th Apr 2005

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2005/12/david_graham_climbs_coup_de_grace_9a9a+-21787
Esclatamàsters 9a Lead | worked 8th Mar 2007 9a

Psyched on future variations!
Bunda De Fora 9a Lead | worked 6th Sep 2007
Chocholocco 9a Lead | worked 14th Oct 2009

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2015/09/woods+graham_make_repeats_at_flatanger-70005
Thor's Hammer 9a Lead | worked 5th Oct 2015
Elfe Fifth go. 8c+ Lead | worked 15th Jun 2001

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_scchEzQNg
A Muerte 9 attempts. 8c+ Lead | worked 7th Dec 2006
China Beach First ascent. 8c Lead | worked 2000

chipped to shit. hard [1]

References

[1] https://www.8a.nu/crags/sportclimbing/united-states/mt-charleston/sectors/unknown-sector/routes/hasta-la-vista/
Raubritter 2 sessions. 8c Lead | worked 25th May 2001
Fifty Words For Pump 8c Lead | worked 21st Oct 2007
Groove Train 8c Lead | ground up 4th Jul 2012 8c+ (hard)
Jaws First ascent. 8c Lead | worked
To Bolt or Not to Be 8b+ Lead | worked 1st Apr 2000
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Creature from the Black Lagoon Second ascent. 8C+ Boulder | worked Oct 2016

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3fYP18AQDV/

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx4VA2DgRGk

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/Cey5A2EDtid/

With a classic “training attempt” I launched into the climb without thinking, found a flow I’d never felt, stuck my release almost accidentally, then carried on move by move with a deep pump, didn’t drop the final traverse section, and summited, completely astonished 🤯

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CgSTh4cjGwk/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CtHhoEft9eU/=

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqzx7bflG6M

References

[1] /file/fd0bb5f2-deed-3018-6bc4-3f39cb5d797a/PRESS RELEASE_BOSI_SWISS FIRST ASCENTS_TRIP ROUNDUP.pdf

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/DO6bPknjBlR/?img_index=1

The new standard
From Dirt Grows the Flowers First ascent. 8C Boulder | worked 7th Mar 2005
Paint it Black 9 sessions. 8C Boulder | worked 28th Apr 2012

One of the most challenging projects I have ever completed. I found and cleaned this line over a year ago, and have been trying intermittently ever since. Once I found the right method and realized the boulder was actually climbable, I thought it would be just about having the right skin and conditions. I thought it was in the bag. Oh how I was wrong!

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Iy8U660wqw

It was an awesome climb. I battled it out, got super pumped, and didn’t kill myself falling off wet top out. 19 moves, and about 12 meters long, and one my favorite pieces of climbing I have ever done.

The sequence is powerful and tensiony, yet flowing. I love the body positions you get into while you climb it. Very athletic, yet balancy. [1]

References

[1] https://climbingnarc.com/2013/11/foundations-edge/

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/fiyaYYGv6y/
Spray of Light 8C Boulder | worked 28th Jul 2015

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/BLgeXAUjDFi/

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QckpXxfzgQQ
Parzival First ascent. 8C Boulder | worked Before 16th Jul 2019 8C

Dave was working the line with Clément Lechaptois, they sent the line on the same day within 30mins of each other.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CXoYlaigA6l/

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF7AIgFdFB0

One of the most technical sequences I have ever accomplished 😅

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbfu-RrAsm_/

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFpurzd7SB8

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcDYj5tgcZ_/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CdWBRAWMiWt/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/dave_graham_/reel/CmXHf8vj0Ki/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu91IUYtvlQ/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/Czom8wws12x/?img_index=1

References

[1] https://youtu.be/Aax1Vt9_Tjc?t=510

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/C0M2jkcMuCA/

[3] https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2Ncu2GtB86/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/C0mjvv7M42z/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/DCZwyjfgjJf/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/reel/C56V6rStEVv/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/C90R7voA9kd/
La Colombe First ascent. 8C Boulder | worked

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PaKnVUVBbw
Bhai Bon First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 2003
Radja 8B+ Boulder | worked 25th Oct 2005
Scarred For Life First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 13th Sep 2006
Midnight Express Third ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 14th Jan 2008
Lost in the Hood First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 28th Feb 2008

References

[1] Climb Issue 42, page 54

Impressive line in compression, and an old project from the ages back. Huge moves in between slopers and always at my full extension, so very intense climbing. As the weather has been really bad, and my left hand pulley injury keeps me from crimping, I have a been lucky with this one. 3 days of work; hustlin'

After topping out Dave uttered the immortal words

I am the master of my own world.

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo2RsX2lASg
Big Paw First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 27th Nov 2008
Warrior Up Second ascent. 5 sessions. 8B+ Boulder | worked 4th Sep 2010
To Your Scattered Bodies Go First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 10th Sep 2010 8B
Occam's Razor Second ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 13th Sep 2011
The Ice Knife First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 18th Oct 2011 8C

In a day and age where each boulder problem is argued to be less and less significant (its not that hard, its not that cool, its not that tall, its not what I like, no one will go there, blah blah blah) I find it truly important to share when things do matter. When something I have done a boulder is significant. I took a lot from this experience as a person, even though I just climbed a rock, it was a massive milestone, and a true personal accomplishment, but it was because of how it fit into my life, where I was when I did it, and where I came from before I started trying it. [1]

[1] https://climbingnarc.com/2012/02/fuerza-my-people/

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqcoZL9G0xE
Never Say Never 8B+ Boulder | worked 26th Jan 2012
Neon Desert First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 29th Feb 2012
Blood of a Young Wolf First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 9th Mar 2012
The Grey First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 27th Apr 2012 8B+

References

[1] https://www.desnivel.com/bulder/dave-graham-encadena-the-wheel-of-life-en-los-grampians/
White Noise 8B+ Boulder | worked 7th Oct 2012
Mind to Motion 8B+ Boulder | worked 14th Nov 2012

References

[1] https://youtu.be/ySHWd3KEP6o?t=409
The Wheel of Wolvo 8B+ Boulder | worked 17th Sep 2013 8C

References

[1] https://instagram.com/p/hPSczlGvxC/

References

[1] https://vimeo.com/132889073
Aslan 8B+ Boulder | worked 20th Sep 2014

References

[1] https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10152320619787126&id=291720792125
NEM 2 sessions. 8B+ Boulder | worked 12th Mar 2015
Shakey Warrior First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked 1st Jul 2015

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/BWe5Ot8D_bh/
Cosmic Artifact First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked Before 10th Jun 2017 8B+
Dark Side of the Compass First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked Before 22nd May 2018

First repeat since broken holds.

References

[1] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155272484657126
Axinite First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked Before 29th Sep 2023

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDXgg1dAskX/
Citrine First ascent. 8B+ Boulder | worked Before 4th Aug 2024

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFYIZ6ngdk8/

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/DGyahS0gHcF/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNlTROzMTiR/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR2cXsBgMLB/
Nuthin' But Sunshine First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 1st Sep 2000

References

[1] https://vimeo.com/4730262
Black Lung 8B Boulder | worked 20th Jan 2001
Sideways Daze First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 15th Mar 2001
Zerberus 8B Boulder | worked 20th May 2001
Mithril First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 25th Feb 2002
Mad Maxx 8B Boulder | worked 5th Mar 2002
Khéops 8B Boulder | worked 20th Mar 2002
Ubik Assis 8B Boulder | worked 3rd Mar 2003
Satan i Helvete (pre-December 2013) First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 7th Mar 2003
Chaos 8B Boulder | worked 13th May 2003
The Riverbed First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 2004
Electric Ant 8B Boulder | worked 24th Nov 2004
Boogalagga 8B Boulder | worked 8th Dec 2004
The Dagger 8B Boulder | worked 19th Dec 2004 8B+
Confessions First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 14th Feb 2005 8B+
General Disarray First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 30th Sep 2005
The Swarm 8B Boulder | worked 15th Dec 2005
Booka Booka Booka First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 16th Jan 2006
Terre de Sienne Second ascent. 8B Boulder | worked Feb 2006 8B+
Slashface Second go. 8B Boulder | worked 11th Feb 2006
Le Tajine 8B Boulder | worked 4th Apr 2008
Elephunk 8B Boulder | worked 8th Apr 2008
The Mote in God's Eye First ascent. 3 sessions. 8B Boulder | worked 10th Aug 2010
We Can Build You First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 16th Sep 2010 8B+
Monkey Business First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 2012
Bear Toss First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 23rd Mar 2012
Dead Meadow First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 27th Apr 2012 8B

References

[1] https://youtu.be/9gSspTU6ats?t=93

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE4ej46V3IA
Meadowlark Lemon 8B Boulder | worked 8th Jan 2013 8C
Carnage 8B Boulder | worked 22nd Sep 2014 8B (soft)
Barrel Rider First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked 7th Dec 2014

References

[1] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10154482829092126

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEfh93fgUo3/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/DBRm0U3u2Rv/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/DDFeAF-gr_8/

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOYwpk-jNJf/
Shadowfax First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked
On The Beach First ascent. 8B Boulder | worked
European Human Being 8A+ Boulder | worked Sep 2000
The Buttermilker 8A+ Boulder | worked 25th Jan 2001
Reve de Faire 8A+ Boulder | worked Jul 2001

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7F8UoThdS0
A Scanner Darkly First ascent. 8A+ Boulder | worked Dec 2002
The Great Shark Hunt First ascent. 8A+ Boulder | worked 22nd Dec 2004
Kings of Sonlerto First ascent. 8A+ Boulder | worked 11th Nov 2005 8B+
Permanent Midnight First ascent. 8A+ Boulder | worked 19th Sep 2006
The Antihero Second ascent. 8A+ Boulder | worked 31st Dec 2007
Trice 8A+ Boulder | worked 10th Jan 2008

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jd0zOD74s0
Two Sizes Two Big First ascent. 8A+ Boulder | worked 13th Apr 2012

The first flash of this historic boulder – and perhaps the only one to date.
Light Saber First ascent. 8A Boulder | worked 2015
Miséricorde 7C+ Boulder | flash 15th Mar 2001
Big Boss 7C Boulder | flash 20th Nov 2000
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade