Dave Graham

Also known as: The Wizard

Quick Info

Nationality: US
Date of birth: 10th November 1981
Hardest Boulder (Worked): 8C+
Hardest Boulder (Flash): 8A
Hardest Sport (Worked): 9b
Notable Partnerships
Alizée Dufraisse
Chris Sharma
Social Media

The wizard [1].

References

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

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

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

Quick Info

Nationality: US
Date of birth: 10th November 1981
Hardest Boulder (Worked): 8C+
Hardest Boulder (Flash): 8A
Hardest Sport (Worked): 9b
Notable Partnerships
Alizée Dufraisse
Chris Sharma
Social Media

The wizard [1].

References

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

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

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

Pics + Vids

Added at 16:01 on 13 January 2021
Biographie (9a+)
Added at 19:12 on 27 December 2021
The Island (8B+, FA)
Added at 19:12 on 27 December 2021
Hypnotized Minds (8C+)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 13:06 on 17 June 2021
Hypnotized Minds (8C+)
Added at 22:12 on 27 December 2020
Petrichor (8C, FA)
Added at 18:08 on 30 August 2021
Ali Hulk (extension total sit start) (9b)
Added at 22:12 on 27 December 2020
Spectre (8B, FA)
Added at 18:12 on 16 December 2021
4-Low (8C)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 06:04 on 08 April 2022
Topaz (8C, FA)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 21:04 on 07 April 2021
Foundations Edge (8C, FA)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 19:12 on 20 December 2021
Roadkill (8C)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 16:12 on 18 December 2021
Roadkill (8C)
Added at 19:01 on 31 January 2022
Euclase (8C+, FA)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 18:06 on 14 June 2022
Primitivo (8C)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 18:03 on 24 March 2022
Primitivo (8C)
Added at 15:04 on 26 April 2022
La Rustica (8C)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 05:05 on 10 May 2022
Fuck the System (8C+)
View this post on Instagram

Added at 05:07 on 22 July 2022
Action Directe (9a)
Added at 13:11 on 03 November 2022

Ascents

50 recorded ascents.

This timeline is missing some ascents where the date of the ascent is unknown. Use the other tabs to view these ascents.
Year Climb Grade FA Ascent Date
2000 To Bolt or Not to Be 8b+ (Lead) 1st April 2000
Nothin' But Sunshine 8B (Boulder) ✓ 1st September 2000
C'Était Demain 8A (Boulder Flash) 1st December 2000 (approx)
2001 Spectre 8B (Boulder) ✓ 10th January 2001

https://vimeo.com/4730262
Sideways Daze 8B (Boulder) ✓ 15th March 2001
Action Directe 9a (Lead) 21st May 2001

Fourth ascent.

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/dave-graham-action-directe.html
2002 Dreamtime (pre break) 8B+ (Boulder) 30th January 2002
2003 Bhai Bon 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 1st January 2003 (approx)
2004 Boogalagga 8B (Boulder) 8th December 2004
2005 The Story of Two Worlds 8C (Boulder) ✓ 9th January 2005

The new standard
From Dirt Grows the Flowers 8C (Boulder) ✓ 7th March 2005
Radja 8B+ (Boulder) 25th October 2005
Coup de Grace 9a (Lead) ✓ 31st October 2005

https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2005/12/david_graham_climbs_coup_de_grace_9a9a+-21787
Kings of Sonlerto 8A+ (Boulder) ✓ 11th November 2005
2006 Scarred for Life 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 1st January 2006 (approx)
Terre de Sienne 8B (Boulder) 1st February 2006 (approx)

Second ascent.
A Muerte 8c+ (Lead) 7th December 2006
2007 Biographie 9a+ (Lead) 30th July 2007

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

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/dave-graham-sends-realisation-at-ceuse.html
2008 The Island 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 7th April 2008

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'

https://vimeo.com/8594833
Big Paw 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 27th November 2008
2009
2010 Warrior Up 8C (Boulder) 4th September 2010
We Can Build You 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 16th September 2010
2011 The Ice Knife 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 18th October 2011
Memory is Parallax 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 31st December 2011

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/
2012 Paint it Black 8C (Boulder) 28th April 2012
The Wheel of Life 9a (Boulder) 8th June 2012
Groove Train 8c (Lead Ground up) 4th July 2012
White Noise 8C (Boulder) 7th October 2012
2013 Meadowlark Lemon 8C (Boulder) 8th January 2013
The Bridge of Ashes 8C (Boulder) ✓ 8th March 2013

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!
The Wheel of Wolvo 8B+ (Boulder) 17th September 2013
Foundations Edge 8C (Boulder) ✓ 15th October 2013

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]

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

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/fiyaYYGv6y/
2014
2015 Confessions 8B (Boulder) ✓ 14th February 2015
Spray of Light 8C (Boulder) 28th July 2015
Thor's Hammer 9a (Lead) 5th October 2015
2016 Creature from the Black Lagoon 8C+ (Boulder) 1st October 2016 (approx)

Second ascent.
Topaz 8C (Boulder) ✓ 12th October 2016

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLgeXAUjDFi/
2017
2018 Black Eagle Assis 8C (Boulder) ✓ 1st August 2018 (approx)

First repeat since broken holds.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155272484657126
2019 Petrichor 8C (Boulder) ✓ 1st January 2019 (approx)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QckpXxfzgQQ
La Rambla Extension 9a+ (Lead) 1st March 2019 (approx)
Hypnotized Minds 8C+ (Boulder) 11th October 2019 (approx)

Third ascent.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3fYP18AQDV/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx4VA2DgRGk
2020 Ali Hulk (extension total sit start) 9b (Lead) 29th September 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6JrnE77MEQ
2021 Roadkill 8C (Boulder) 6th December 2021

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXoYlaigA6l/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF7AIgFdFB0
2022 Primitivo 8C (Boulder) 12th February 2022

One of the most technical sequences I have ever accomplished 😅

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbfu-RrAsm_/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFpurzd7SB8
4-Low 8C (Boulder) 28th February 2022

Second ascent.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcDYj5tgcZ_/
La Rustica 8C (Boulder) 2nd April 2022

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdWBRAWMiWt/
Euclase 8C+ (Boulder) ✓ 20th April 2022

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cey5A2EDtid/
Fuck the System 8C+ (Boulder) 25th June 2022

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 🤯

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgSTh4cjGwk/
Climb Grade FA Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Ali Hulk (extension total sit start) 9b (Lead) 29th September 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6JrnE77MEQ
Biographie 9a+ (Lead) 30th July 2007

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

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/dave-graham-sends-realisation-at-ceuse.html
La Rambla Extension 9a+ (Lead) 1st March 2019 (approx)
Coup de Grace 9a (Lead) ✓ 31st October 2005 9a+

https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2005/12/david_graham_climbs_coup_de_grace_9a9a+-21787
Action Directe 9a (Lead) 21st May 2001

Fourth ascent.

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/dave-graham-action-directe.html
Thor's Hammer 9a (Lead) 5th October 2015
A Muerte 8c+ (Lead) 7th December 2006
Jaws 8c (Lead) ✓
Groove Train 8c (Lead Ground up) 4th July 2012
To Bolt or Not to Be 8b+ (Lead) 1st April 2000
Climb Grade FA Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Euclase 8C+ (Boulder) ✓ 20th April 2022 8C+

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cey5A2EDtid/
Creature from the Black Lagoon 8C+ (Boulder) 1st October 2016 (approx)

Second ascent.
Hypnotized Minds 8C+ (Boulder) 11th October 2019 (approx)

Third ascent.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3fYP18AQDV/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx4VA2DgRGk
Fuck the System 8C+ (Boulder) 25th June 2022

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 🤯

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgSTh4cjGwk/
The Story of Two Worlds 8C (Boulder) ✓ 9th January 2005

The new standard
From Dirt Grows the Flowers 8C (Boulder) ✓ 7th March 2005
The Bridge of Ashes 8C (Boulder) ✓ 8th March 2013

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!
Foundations Edge 8C (Boulder) ✓ 15th October 2013

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]

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

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/fiyaYYGv6y/
Topaz 8C (Boulder) ✓ 12th October 2016

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLgeXAUjDFi/
Black Eagle Assis 8C (Boulder) ✓ 1st August 2018 (approx)

First repeat since broken holds.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155272484657126
Petrichor 8C (Boulder) ✓ 1st January 2019 (approx)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QckpXxfzgQQ
Warrior Up 8C (Boulder) 4th September 2010
Paint it Black 8C (Boulder) 28th April 2012
White Noise 8C (Boulder) 7th October 2012
Meadowlark Lemon 8C (Boulder) 8th January 2013
Spray of Light 8C (Boulder) 28th July 2015
Roadkill 8C (Boulder) 6th December 2021

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXoYlaigA6l/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF7AIgFdFB0
Primitivo 8C (Boulder) 12th February 2022

One of the most technical sequences I have ever accomplished 😅

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbfu-RrAsm_/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFpurzd7SB8
4-Low 8C (Boulder) 28th February 2022

Second ascent.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcDYj5tgcZ_/
La Rustica 8C (Boulder) 2nd April 2022

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdWBRAWMiWt/
Bhai Bon 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 1st January 2003 (approx)
Scarred for Life 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 1st January 2006 (approx)
The Island 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 7th April 2008

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'

https://vimeo.com/8594833
Big Paw 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 27th November 2008
We Can Build You 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 16th September 2010
The Ice Knife 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 18th October 2011 8C
Memory is Parallax 8B+ (Boulder) ✓ 31st December 2011

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/
Dreamtime (pre break) 8B+ (Boulder) 30th January 2002 8B+
Radja 8B+ (Boulder) 25th October 2005
The Wheel of Wolvo 8B+ (Boulder) 17th September 2013
Nothin' But Sunshine 8B (Boulder) ✓ 1st September 2000
Spectre 8B (Boulder) ✓ 10th January 2001

https://vimeo.com/4730262
Sideways Daze 8B (Boulder) ✓ 15th March 2001
Confessions 8B (Boulder) ✓ 14th February 2015 8B+
Shadowfax 8B (Boulder) ✓
Boogalagga 8B (Boulder) 8th December 2004
Terre de Sienne 8B (Boulder) 1st February 2006 (approx) 8B+

Second ascent.
Kings of Sonlerto 8A+ (Boulder) ✓ 11th November 2005 8B+
C'Était Demain 8A (Boulder Flash) 1st December 2000 (approx)
Climb Grade FA Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade FA Ascent Date Suggested Grade
The Wheel of Life 9a (Boulder) 8th June 2012