Spots of Time is a grade 9A (V17) bouldering problem on the Swirl Crags buttresses on the flanks of Helvellyn in England’s Lake District. It was first climbed by British climber Aidan Roberts in February 2024 after a lengthy campaign; Roberts later proposed a grade of 9A (V17), which would make it the first established boulder of that grade in the United Kingdom.[1][2][3] The problem received its first repeat by William Bosi in October 2024, who confirmed the 9A grade.[4][5]
| Spots of Time | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Location | Lake District National Park, Cumbria, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 54°32′25″N 3°02′50″W / 54.54020°N 3.04731°W |
| Climbing area | Swirl Crags, slopes of Helvellyn |
| Route type | Bouldering |
| Rating | 9A (V17) |
| First ascent | Aidan Roberts, February 2024 |
Description
edit
The line climbs a short section of overhanging rock on the rhyolite buttresses of Swirl Crags. It involves a sequence of small flat handholds and precise body positioning, with climbers relying on a hard heel hook and subtle shifts of weight to maintain balance. Roberts described the boulder as "very fingers intensive," using a sequence of eighteen moves (eight hand moves, ten foot moves) in his first ascent.[1][3][4] The climb's name is a reference to a William Wordsworth poem.[6]
History
editRoberts worked the climb, which he referred to as the "Helvellyn Project," over several years and over 30 sessions.[2] He reported that it took around 10 sessions before he was able to link the individual moves together in sequence.[7] He completed the first ascent in February 2024, initially withholding a grade proposal before later suggesting 9A.[1][3][2] A short film by Wedge Climbing that documents Roberts’ process and ascent was released in October 2024.[8]
In October 2024, fellow British climber William Bosi made the first repeat after approximately eight sessions. Bosi confirmed the 9A grade, making Spots of Time the first 9A boulder in the United Kingdom.[4][5] This made Bosi the first to climb four confirmed 9A boulders (following previous ascents of Alphane, Burden of Dreams, and Return of the Sleepwalker). Bosi reported Spots of Time was similar to Burden of Dreams and called it "one of the best hard lines in the world."[4]
Ascents
editSpots of Time has been ascended by:
- 1st. Aidan Roberts in February 2024[1]
- 2nd. William Bosi on 19 October 2024[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d White, Xa (17 April 2024). "Aidan Roberts climbs two top-end projects". UK Climbing. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "Aidan Roberts Climbing Britain's First V17". Gripped. May 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "That's why Aidan Roberts rates Spots of Time 9A". Lacrux. May 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d e White, Xa (21 October 2024). "Will Bosi repeats Spots of Time, 9A". UK Climbing. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Will Bosi repeats Spots of Time to climb four different 9A boulders". Planet Mountain. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ Symons, Will (22 October 2024). "Think you could solve Britain's hardest bouldering problem? Watch Aidan Roberts send the UK's first V17". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ "Aidan Roberts on climbing Arrival of the Birds and Spots of Time". UK Climbing. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ White, Xa (11 October 2024). "Spots of Time 9A/V17 – Aidan Roberts Climbing Britain's Hardest Boulder (Fri Night Vid)". UK Climbing. Retrieved 16 August 2025.