ben

	Country	Contributions	Between	Climbers	Climbs	Ascents
1	Switzerland	177	16th April 2024 – 29th April 2026	0	2	33
2	USA	83	28th January 2025 – 26th April 2026	2	0	13
3	United Kingdom	65	11th August 2024 – 18th March 2026	3	3	10
4	France	59	10th February 2025 – 22nd April 2026	1	1	12
5	South Africa	35	17th July 2025 – 13th December 2025	0	1	4
6	Italy	22	7th July 2025 – 24th November 2025	0	1	5
7	Spain	18	14th March 2025 – 14th December 2025	0	1	5
8	Finland	16	7th July 2025 – 4th April 2026	0	1	3
9	Japan	16	14th February 2025 – 10th March 2026	0	0	3
10	Germany	6	7th July 2025 – 7th July 2025	0	1	1

	Date	Time	User	Type	Name	Attribute
581	7th July 2025	15:49:27 UTC	ben	climber	John Gill	notes
Before John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in its own right. With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing. In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world. When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route [The Thimble](/climb/976/the-thimble), climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, [Royal Robbins](/climber/884/royal-robbins) said of it > I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it. ### References [1] [https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/](https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/) [2] [Pat Ament](/climber/1099/pat-ament), [John Gill](/climber/721/john-gill), [Yvon Chouinard](/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard), Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018. [3] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU) [4] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M) After John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in its own right. With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing. In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world. When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route [The Thimble](/climb/976/the-thimble), climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, [Royal Robbins](/climber/884/royal-robbins) said of it > I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it. ### References [1] [https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/](https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/) [2] [Pat Ament](/climber/1099/pat-ament), [John Gill](/climber/721/john-gill), [Yvon Chouinard](/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard), Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018. [3] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU) [4] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M) Diff --- before +++ after @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing. -In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world. +In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world. When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route [The Thimble](/climb/976/the-thimble), climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, [Royal Robbins](/climber/884/royal-robbins) said of it
582	7th July 2025	15:49:27 UTC	ben	climber	John Gill	notes_pretty
Before <p>John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in its own right.</p> <p>With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing.</p> <p>In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world.</p> <p>When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route <a href="/climb/976/the-thimble">The Thimble</a>, climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, <a href="/climber/884/royal-robbins">Royal Robbins</a> said of it</p> <blockquote> <p>I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it.</p> </blockquote> <h3>References</h3> <p>[1] <a href="https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/">https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/</a></p> <p>[2] <a href="/climber/1099/pat-ament">Pat Ament</a>, <a href="/climber/721/john-gill">John Gill</a>, <a href="/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard">Yvon Chouinard</a>, Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018.</p> <p>[3] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU</a></p> <p>[4] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M</a></p> After <p>John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in its own right.</p> <p>With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing.</p> <p>In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world.</p> <p>When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route <a href="/climb/976/the-thimble">The Thimble</a>, climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, <a href="/climber/884/royal-robbins">Royal Robbins</a> said of it</p> <blockquote> <p>I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it.</p> </blockquote> <h3>References</h3> <p>[1] <a href="https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/">https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/</a></p> <p>[2] <a href="/climber/1099/pat-ament">Pat Ament</a>, <a href="/climber/721/john-gill">John Gill</a>, <a href="/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard">Yvon Chouinard</a>, Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018.</p> <p>[3] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU</a></p> <p>[4] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M</a></p>
583	7th July 2025	15:49:13 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU	embed_code
Before `None` After `<div class="video-wrapper"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8FdMLil9lNU" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>`
584	7th July 2025	15:49:13 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU	url
Before `None` After `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU`
585	7th July 2025	15:49:13 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU	missing_right_to_reproduce
Before `None` After `false`
586	7th July 2025	15:49:13 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M	missing_right_to_reproduce
Before `None` After `false`
587	7th July 2025	15:49:13 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M	embed_code
Before `None` After `<div class="video-wrapper"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p9yaGXFkC8M" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>`
588	7th July 2025	15:49:13 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M	url
Before `None` After `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M`
589	7th July 2025	15:49:13 UTC	ben	climber	John Gill	notes
Before John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in it's own right. With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing. In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world. When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route [The Thimble](/climb/976/the-thimble), climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, [Royal Robbins](/climber/884/royal-robbins) said of it > I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it. ### References [1] [https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/](https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/) [2] [Pat Ament](/climber/1099/pat-ament), [John Gill](/climber/721/john-gill), [Yvon Chouinard](/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard), Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018. [3] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU) [4] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M) After John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in its own right. With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing. In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world. When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route [The Thimble](/climb/976/the-thimble), climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, [Royal Robbins](/climber/884/royal-robbins) said of it > I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it. ### References [1] [https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/](https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/) [2] [Pat Ament](/climber/1099/pat-ament), [John Gill](/climber/721/john-gill), [Yvon Chouinard](/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard), Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018. [3] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU) [4] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M) Diff --- before +++ after @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in it's own right. +John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in its own right. With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing.
590	7th July 2025	15:49:13 UTC	ben	climber	John Gill	notes_pretty
Before <p>John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in it's own right.</p> <p>With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing.</p> <p>In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world.</p> <p>When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route <a href="/climb/976/the-thimble">The Thimble</a>, climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, <a href="/climber/884/royal-robbins">Royal Robbins</a> said of it</p> <blockquote> <p>I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it.</p> </blockquote> <h3>References</h3> <p>[1] <a href="https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/">https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/</a></p> <p>[2] <a href="/climber/1099/pat-ament">Pat Ament</a>, <a href="/climber/721/john-gill">John Gill</a>, <a href="/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard">Yvon Chouinard</a>, Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018.</p> <p>[3] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU</a></p> <p>[4] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M</a></p> After <p>John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in its own right.</p> <p>With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing.</p> <p>In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world.</p> <p>When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route <a href="/climb/976/the-thimble">The Thimble</a>, climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, <a href="/climber/884/royal-robbins">Royal Robbins</a> said of it</p> <blockquote> <p>I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it.</p> </blockquote> <h3>References</h3> <p>[1] <a href="https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/">https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/</a></p> <p>[2] <a href="/climber/1099/pat-ament">Pat Ament</a>, <a href="/climber/721/john-gill">John Gill</a>, <a href="/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard">Yvon Chouinard</a>, Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018.</p> <p>[3] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU</a></p> <p>[4] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M</a></p>
591	7th July 2025	15:48:58 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU	missing_right_to_reproduce
Before `None` After `false`
592	7th July 2025	15:48:58 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU	embed_code
Before `None` After `<div class="video-wrapper"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8FdMLil9lNU" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>`
593	7th July 2025	15:48:58 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU	url
Before `None` After `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU`
594	7th July 2025	15:48:58 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M	url
Before `None` After `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M`
595	7th July 2025	15:48:58 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M	missing_right_to_reproduce
Before `None` After `false`
596	7th July 2025	15:48:58 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M	embed_code
Before `None` After `<div class="video-wrapper"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p9yaGXFkC8M" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>`
597	7th July 2025	15:48:58 UTC	ben	climber	John Gill	notes_pretty
Before <p>John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in it's own right.</p> <p>With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing.</p> <p>In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world.</p> <p>When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route <a href="/climb/976/the-thimble">The Thimble</a>, climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of it's time. After attempting to repeat the line, <a href="/climber/884/royal-robbins">Royal Robbins</a> said of it</p> <blockquote> <p>I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it.</p> </blockquote> <h3>References</h3> <p>[1] <a href="https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/">https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/</a></p> <p>[2] <a href="/climber/1099/pat-ament">Pat Ament</a>, <a href="/climber/721/john-gill">John Gill</a>, <a href="/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard">Yvon Chouinard</a>, Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018.</p> <p>[3] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU</a></p> <p>[4] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M</a></p> After <p>John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in it's own right.</p> <p>With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing.</p> <p>In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world.</p> <p>When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route <a href="/climb/976/the-thimble">The Thimble</a>, climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, <a href="/climber/884/royal-robbins">Royal Robbins</a> said of it</p> <blockquote> <p>I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it.</p> </blockquote> <h3>References</h3> <p>[1] <a href="https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/">https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/</a></p> <p>[2] <a href="/climber/1099/pat-ament">Pat Ament</a>, <a href="/climber/721/john-gill">John Gill</a>, <a href="/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard">Yvon Chouinard</a>, Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018.</p> <p>[3] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU</a></p> <p>[4] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M</a></p>
598	7th July 2025	15:48:58 UTC	ben	climber	John Gill	notes
Before John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in it's own right. With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing. In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world. When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route [The Thimble](/climb/976/the-thimble), climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of it's time. After attempting to repeat the line, [Royal Robbins](/climber/884/royal-robbins) said of it > I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it. ### References [1] [https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/](https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/) [2] [Pat Ament](/climber/1099/pat-ament), [John Gill](/climber/721/john-gill), [Yvon Chouinard](/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard), Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018. [3] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU) [4] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M) After John Gill was one of the pioneers of bouldering, putting up many hard first ascents in the US in a time when bouldering was not understood as an activity in it's own right. With a background in gymnastics Gill applied a similar mentality to rock climbing by transferring some of the training ideas to rock climbing. He was also one of the first climbers to consider the use of gymnastic chalk while rock climbing. In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world. When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route [The Thimble](/climb/976/the-thimble), climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, [Royal Robbins](/climber/884/royal-robbins) said of it > I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it. ### References [1] [https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/](https://www.climbing.com/people/john-gill-father-of-bouldering/) [2] [Pat Ament](/climber/1099/pat-ament), [John Gill](/climber/721/john-gill), [Yvon Chouinard](/climber/1049/yvon-chouinard), Rearick, Dave. John Gill: Master of Rock: The Life of a Bouldering Legend. United Kingdom: Vertebrate Publishing, 2018. [3] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU) [4] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yaGXFkC8M) Diff --- before +++ after @@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ In stark contrast to modern bouldering, where the focus is on physicality and doing the hardest problems possible, Gill's focus was on form and quality of movement while climbing a problem. This did not stop him from establishing many extraordinarily hard problems however, and for a many decades his problems were amongst the hardest in the world. -When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route [The Thimble](/climb/976/the-thimble), climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of it's time. After attempting to repeat the line, [Royal Robbins](/climber/884/royal-robbins) said of it +When he applied his skills to taller routes Gill also excelled. His route [The Thimble](/climb/976/the-thimble), climbed solo and ground up in 1961 and considered around 7a+ was well ahead of its time. After attempting to repeat the line, [Royal Robbins](/climber/884/royal-robbins) said of it > I considered my greatest failure to be my efforts on the thimble. I could see that even if I worked on it forever I would never achieve it.
599	7th July 2025	15:48:44 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU	embed_code
Before `None` After `<div class="video-wrapper"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8FdMLil9lNU" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>`
600	7th July 2025	15:48:44 UTC	ben	media	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdMLil9lNU	missing_right_to_reproduce
Before `None` After `false`

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