Jules Marchaland Flashes 8C in Magic Wood

French climber Jules Marchaland has made history with a rare flash ascent of an 8C boulder, sending Power of Now Direct in Switzerland’s famous Magic Wood. This marks only the second-ever confirmed 8C flash in history, following Yannick Flohé’s groundbreaking ascent just six weeks earlier.

The line itself has an impressive pedigree. Originally climbed as Power of Now (8B+) by Giuliano Cameroni in 2020, the direct finish was later added by Simon Lorenzi in 2021, pushing the grade to 8C. The problem is considered one of the most powerful and skin-shredding challenges in Magic Wood, demanding both dynamic precision and brutal endurance.

What makes Marchaland’s ascent particularly remarkable is that he is best known as a route climber rather than a dedicated boulderer. Just recently, he made the first ascent of Le Bruit de l’Acid (9b) in France, confirming his ability to move seamlessly between sport climbing and high-end bouldering.

His achievement underscores a growing trend among elite climbers: versatility at the very highest grades, where the lines between bouldering and sport climbing mastery continue to blur.

With two 8C flashes now completed in just over a month, the bar for what is possible in bouldering has been raised yet again – and the climbing world is watching closely for what comes next.