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

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.

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 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

Graham started climbing in 1997 and very quickly worked his way through the grades, climbing his first 8b+ sport route just a year later.

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 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

Ali Hulk (extension total sit start) (9b)

Added at 22:12 on 27 December 2020

Hypnotized Minds (8C+)

Added at 22:12 on 27 December 2020

La Rambla Extension (9a+)

Added at 21:01 on 21 January 2023

https://www.8a.nu/news/la-rambla-9a+-by-dave-graha...

Spectre (8B, FA)

Added at 18:12 on 16 December 2021

Roadkill (8C)

Added at 16:12 on 18 December 2021

Foundations Edge (8C, FA)

Added at 19:12 on 20 December 2021

Hypnotized Minds (8C+)

Added at 13:06 on 17 June 2021

Petrichor (8C, FA)

Added at 18:08 on 30 August 2021

Cassim (8C, FA)

Added at 18:12 on 19 December 2022

Golden Shadow (8B+)

Added at 16:03 on 14 March 2023

Topaz (8C, FA)

Added at 21:04 on 07 April 2021

Biographie (9a+)

Added at 19:12 on 27 December 2021

The Island (8B+, FA)

Added at 19:12 on 27 December 2021

Roadkill (8C)

Added at 19:01 on 31 January 2022

Primitivo (8C)

Added at 18:03 on 24 March 2022

4-Low (8C)

Added at 06:04 on 08 April 2022

Action Directe (9a)

Added at 13:11 on 03 November 2022

Primitivo (8C)

Added at 15:04 on 26 April 2022

La Rustica (8C)

Added at 05:05 on 10 May 2022

Euclase (8C+, FA)

Added at 18:06 on 14 June 2022

Fuck the System (8C+)

Added at 05:07 on 22 July 2022

Ascents

54 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)		December 2000
2001	Spectre	8B (Boulder)	✓	10th January 2001
	Spectre	https://vimeo.com/4730262
	Sideways Daze	8B (Boulder)	✓	15th March 2001
	Action Directe	9a (Lead)		21st May 2001
	Action Directe	Fourth ascent. https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/dave-graham-action-directe.html
2002	Dreamtime (pre break)	8B+ (Boulder)		30th January 2002
2002	Mithril	8B (Boulder)	✓	25th February 2002
2003	Bhai Bon	8B+ (Boulder)	✓	2003
2003	Satan i Helvete (Pre December 2013)	8B (Boulder)	✓	7th March 2003
2004	Boogalagga	8B (Boulder)		8th December 2004
2005	The Story of Two Worlds	8C (Boulder)	✓	9th January 2005
	The Story of Two Worlds	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
	Coup de Grace	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)	✓	2006
	Terre de Sienne	8B (Boulder)		February 2006
	Terre de Sienne	Second ascent.
	A Muerte	8c+ (Lead)		7th December 2006
2007	Biographie	9a+ (Lead)		30th July 2007
2007	Biographie	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
	The Island	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
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
	Memory is Parallax	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	Golden Shadow	8B+ (Boulder)		2012
	Golden Shadow	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqcoZL9G0xE
	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	8B+ (Boulder)		8th January 2013
	The Bridge of Ashes	8C (Boulder)	✓	8th March 2013
	The Bridge of Ashes	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
	Foundations Edge	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)		October 2016
	Creature from the Black Lagoon	Second ascent.
	Topaz	8C (Boulder)	✓	12th October 2016
	Topaz	https://www.instagram.com/p/BLgeXAUjDFi/
2017
2018	Black Eagle Assis	8C (Boulder)	✓	August 2018
2018	Black Eagle Assis	First repeat since broken holds. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155272484657126
2019	Petrichor	8C (Boulder)	✓	2019
	Petrichor	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QckpXxfzgQQ
	La Rambla Extension	9a+ (Lead)		March 2019
	Hypnotized Minds	8C+ (Boulder)		October 2019
	Hypnotized Minds	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
2020	Ali Hulk (extension total sit start)	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6JrnE77MEQ
2021	Roadkill	8C (Boulder)		6th December 2021
2021	Roadkill	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
	Primitivo	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
	4-Low	Second ascent. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcDYj5tgcZ_/
	La Rustica	8C (Boulder)		2nd April 2022
	La Rustica	https://www.instagram.com/p/CdWBRAWMiWt/
	Euclase	8C+ (Boulder)	✓	20th April 2022
	Euclase	https://www.instagram.com/p/Cey5A2EDtid/
	Fuck the System	8C+ (Boulder)		25th June 2022
	Fuck the System	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/
	Cassim	8C (Boulder)	✓	2nd November 2022
	Cassim	https://www.instagram.com/p/CmW9ybQjdxr/

Climb	Grade	FA	Ascent Date	Suggested Grade
Ali Hulk (extension total sit start)	9b (Lead)		29th September 2020
Ali Hulk (extension total sit start)	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6JrnE77MEQ
Biographie	9a+ (Lead)		30th July 2007
Biographie	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)		March 2019
Coup de Grace	9a (Lead)	✓	31st October 2005	9a+
Coup de Grace	https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2005/12/david_graham_climbs_coup_de_grace_9a9a+-21787
Action Directe	9a (Lead)		21st May 2001
Action Directe	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+
Euclase	https://www.instagram.com/p/Cey5A2EDtid/
Creature from the Black Lagoon	8C+ (Boulder)		October 2016
Creature from the Black Lagoon	Second ascent.
Hypnotized Minds	8C+ (Boulder)		October 2019
Hypnotized Minds	Third ascent. https://www.instagram.com/p/B3fYP18AQDV/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx4VA2DgRGk
Fuck the System	8C+ (Boulder)		25th June 2022
Fuck the System	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 Story of Two Worlds	The new standard
From Dirt Grows the Flowers	8C (Boulder)	✓	7th March 2005
The Bridge of Ashes	8C (Boulder)	✓	8th March 2013
The Bridge of Ashes	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
Foundations Edge	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
Topaz	https://www.instagram.com/p/BLgeXAUjDFi/
Black Eagle Assis	8C (Boulder)	✓	August 2018
Black Eagle Assis	First repeat since broken holds. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155272484657126
Petrichor	8C (Boulder)	✓	2019
Petrichor	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QckpXxfzgQQ
Cassim	8C (Boulder)	✓	2nd November 2022
Cassim	https://www.instagram.com/p/CmW9ybQjdxr/
Warrior Up	8C (Boulder)		4th September 2010
Paint it Black	8C (Boulder)		28th April 2012
White Noise	8C (Boulder)		7th October 2012
Spray of Light	8C (Boulder)		28th July 2015
Roadkill	8C (Boulder)		6th December 2021
Roadkill	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
Primitivo	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
4-Low	Second ascent. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcDYj5tgcZ_/
La Rustica	8C (Boulder)		2nd April 2022
La Rustica	https://www.instagram.com/p/CdWBRAWMiWt/
Bhai Bon	8B+ (Boulder)	✓	2003
Scarred for Life	8B+ (Boulder)	✓	2006
The Island	8B+ (Boulder)	✓	7th April 2008
The Island	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
Memory is Parallax	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
Golden Shadow	8B+ (Boulder)		2012
Golden Shadow	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqcoZL9G0xE
Meadowlark Lemon	8B+ (Boulder)		8th January 2013	8C
The Wheel of Wolvo	8B+ (Boulder)		17th September 2013
Nothin' But Sunshine	8B (Boulder)	✓	1st September 2000
Spectre	8B (Boulder)	✓	10th January 2001
Spectre	https://vimeo.com/4730262
Sideways Daze	8B (Boulder)	✓	15th March 2001
Mithril	8B (Boulder)	✓	25th February 2002
Satan i Helvete (Pre December 2013)	8B (Boulder)	✓	7th March 2003
Confessions	8B (Boulder)	✓	14th February 2015	8B+
Shadowfax	8B (Boulder)	✓
Boogalagga	8B (Boulder)		8th December 2004
Terre de Sienne	8B (Boulder)		February 2006	8B+
Terre de Sienne	Second ascent.
Kings of Sonlerto	8A+ (Boulder)	✓	11th November 2005	8B+
C'Était Demain	8A (Boulder Flash)		December 2000

Climb	Grade	FA	Ascent Date	Suggested Grade

Climb	Grade	FA	Ascent Date	Suggested Grade
The Wheel of Life	9a (Boulder)		8th June 2012