David Ethan Graham (born November 10, 1981) is an American professional rock climber. Professing to enjoy bouldering the most, he is one of the elite sport climbers and boulderers of his generation. Graham repeats classic routes or boulder problems as well as performing cutting-edge first ascents. He is known for climbing in 2005 an 8C (V15) graded boulder problem called The Story of Two Worlds, in Cresciano, Switzerland). He is also known for his stance against grade inflation and for his strong anti-chipping ethic. He writes an ongoing blog for the website of Climbing Magazine.
Biography
Born in Maine, Graham was introduced to climbing in 1997 by one of his skiing teammates. Within a year, he climbed an 8b+ (5.14a) route, The Present. Quickly, he became one of the strongest climbers in the United States, before moving to Europe in 2005.
In 2005, he climbed an 8C (V15) boulder problem (The Story Of Two Worlds, Cresciano, Switzerland), and his first 9a+ (5.15a) route (Coup de Grace, Val Bavona, Switzerland).
Rock climbing
As of November 2017, Graham climbed 455 routes between 8a (5.13b) and 9a+\b , of which 143 were onsighted:[1]
La Rustica – Valle Bovona, Switzerland – April, 2022 – First Ascent Jimmy Webb 2019
4-low – Valle Bovona, Switzerland – February, 2022 – First Ascent Daniel Woods
Primitivo – Valle Bovona, Switzerland – February, 2022 – 3rd ascent, First Ascent Jimmy Webb 2019
Roadkill – Valle Bovona, Switzerland – December, 2021 – First Ascent Shawn Raboutou
Trieste Assis – Red Rock, USA – April 2020
Squoze – Red Rock, USA – December 2019 – First Ascent Jimmy Webb
Meadowlark Lemon – Gateway Canyon (USA) – January 8, 2013 – Second ascent. First ascent by Paul Robinson in 2012[16]
The Wheel of Life – Hollow Mountain Cave (AUS) – June 8, 2012 – Sixth ascent. First ascent by Dai Koyamada in 2004. Composed of 65 moves, it links four different boulder problems. Although it is climbed without rope, it is considered to be almost a climbing route. It is commonly graded 8C as a boulder problem, and 9a as a route. Graham stated that it was "not possible to compare it to other boulder problems, due to its length", and that it was in a league above 9a routes he had climbed, possibly even a 9a+.[17][18]