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Fred Nicole is a Swiss rock climber, notable for his numerous cutting edge first ascents. Nicole was the first climber to open a problem with the bouldering grades 8B, 8B+ and 8C.

Like many elite rock climbers, Nicole refuses to grade his own climbs, suggesting that subjectivity and variation in climbing style make it too difficult to reliably grade problems.

Notable ascents:

    les Danse des Balrogs V13/8B (The world's first), Branson, Switzerland

    Radja V14/8B+ (the world's first), Branson, Switzerland

    Dreamtime. Cresciano, Switzerland. (8B+/V14) This boulder was once considered 8C before it was chipped and downgraded to 8B+.

    Slashface V13/8B, Hueco Tanks, USA

    Fatman Sit-Start V13/8B, Fontainebleau, France

    Pierre Philosophale V13/8B, Fontainebleau, France

    Karma V12/8A+, Fontainebleau, France

    Hale Bopp, V10/7C+, Fontainebleau, France

    Terre de Seine, V14/8B+, Hueco Tanks, TX

    Terremer, V15/8C, Hueco Tanks State Park, Texas, USA - link-up of Diaphanous Sea and Terre de Seine

    El Techo de los Tres B, V14/8B+, Hueco Tanks State Park, Texas, USA

    Entlinge, V15/8C, Switzerland

    Amandla, V14/8B+, South Africa

    Repeated Witness the FitnessV15/8C, in The Ozarks, Arkansas on December 23, 2006. FA by Chris Sharma.

    Elfe, 8c+ in Grimsel, Switzerland (route, FA on 1997-03-01).

    Bain de Sang, 9a in Saint Loup, Switzerland (route, FA on 1993-09-01). It is the world's third 9a, after Action Directe (FA in 1991 by Wolfgang Gullich) and Om (FA in 1992 by Alexander Huber) Some have surmised that Bain de Sang is more likely 8c+. E.g., Iker Pou, who has repeated both routes, stated that Bain de Sang is a grade easier than the benchmark 9a Action Directe. Also, see Dave Graham. Fred Nicole and his brother Francois Nicole both assert that "Bain de sang" has been 'altered' after their respective first and second ascents, which may be why the grade has been disputed after subsequent repeats.

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