Ascent Log
| Climber | Suggested Grade | Date of Ascent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nalle Hukkataival | 8C/8C+ | 27th Jun 2017 | Instagram Post |
| Alex Megos | – | 22nd Jul 2017 | Instagram Post |
| Toby Saxton | 8C+ | 19th Sep 2017 | |
| Shawn Rabautou | 8C | 22nd Jun 2018 | Instagram Post |
| Daniel Woods | 8C | 28th Jun 2018 | Instagram Post |
| Daisuke Ichimiya | 8C | 6th Aug 2018 | |
| Jimmy Webb | 8C | 22nd Jun 2019 | Instagram post |
| Vadim Timonov | 8C | 5th Jul 2021 | YouTube video |
Climb Profile
The Route
The Finnish Line is a renowned boulder problem located in the Rocklands, a world-famous climbing destination nestled in the Cederberg Mountains of South Africa. Considered one of the most challenging and iconic routes in the area, The Finnish Line attracts climbers from around the globe who seek to test their skills and push their limits on this formidable line.
The Rocklands is celebrated for its unique sandstone formations and exceptional climbing opportunities. The area boasts an otherworldly landscape characterized by orange-hued rock formations, hidden caves, and expansive boulder fields, all of which make it a climber’s paradise.
The Finnish Line itself is an imposing 21-move highball, blending technicality, power, and endurance. It demands a combination of precise footwork, dynamic movements, and sheer determination to conquer its intricate sequence of holds and crimps. The problem’s name pays homage to the Finnish climber Nalle Hukkataival, who first envisioned and successfully climbed this awe-inspiring line.
Wall of Glory
First Ascent: Nalle Hukkataival
27th June 2017
After Nalle Hukkataival made the first ascent on 27th June 2017, he initially didn’t offer a grade for the line, although suggested it was one of the hardest lines in the area. This placed the problem in V15/V16 territory, putting it up there with other iconic Rockland boulder problems like Livin’ Large and Black Eagle SD.
The problem clearly had a profound impact on Nalle, as he labeled it a “gem rarer than diamonds” and a line he would remember for the rest of his life.
This blunt arête isn’t just one of the hardest in the area though, it’s also one of the highest boulders, standing at an intimidating 8 meters (26ft) tall. On top of that, the sequence is also highly technical, with laser precision needed to execute the climb. The South African heat and humidity also have a large impact on such a friction-dependent problem.
As Daniel Woods explained in an email to Rock and Ice, the first half of the problem is similar to tufa climbing, with wide pinches required on the arête. For the second half, the problem then moves into compression moves on sloping edges on either side of the arête, requiring full-body power and tension to successfully top out the boulder.
Second Ascent: Alex Megos
22nd July 2017
Alex Megos made the first repeat of the line just a few weeks after Nalle’s FA, with the German climber suggesting that it’s “maybe the best line of all time”. The problem put up a bit of a fight for Megos, or at least by his standards, spending a total of 5 days working the Finnish Line before he eventually claimed the first ascent on the 22nd July 2017.
During this trip, Megos had been working the boulder with Jimmy Webb who, despite making good progress with only a few days on the rock, was unable to make an ascent before having to leave South Africa.
Like his fellow climbers, Jimmy proclaimed that the Finnish Line was one of the most spectacular pieces of stone he has ever touched and said the line will be heavily in his thoughts until he returns. True to his word, on the 22nd June 2019, Webb returned and claimed the seventh ascent of the popular boulder problem.
Other Ascents & Attempts
After Megos’ ascent, the Finnish Line received an additional 4 repeats over the next 12 months. Toby Saxton claimed the third ascent in September of the same year and suggested a grade of V16 for the line. Shawn Raboutou and Daniel Woods, both of whom worked on the problem together, suggest a more suitable grade of V15. The pair spent a total of 6 days on the problem, three days on a rope, and three days without. Woods explained that he, Raboutou and Megos used a different hand sequence on the top half of the boulder from Nalle, which made their accents easier.
Video Library
