Max Milne flashes Bewilderness, 8B+ boulder at Badger’s Cove, UK

23-year-old British climber Max Milne has flashed Bewilderness (8B+/V14) at Badger’s Cove in the Peak District. This is the first time the grade has been flashed on UK soil. Originally climbed by Dan Varian, Bewilderness has become a benchmark 8B+, while Badger’s Cove has become a home for hard Peak limestone bouldering including Will Bosi’s 8C+/V16 Honey Badger.

Commenting on the flash, Milne said: "It was quite surreal. I obviously knew I could do it but I'm really chuffed and it was cool that I had to fight. On this one, a lot of the moves felt fairly at my limit so I had to lock in to get it done. I am proud to have said I was going to do it and then back up what I said with my actions".

Max was climbing with Will Bosi at Badger’s Cove, who is obviously no stranger to hard climbing as well as flashing 8B+/V14 in the past. On climbing with Will, Max commented: "I have looked up to Will for many years and we know each other fairly well but for me it is always super special to climb with him as it’s not that often we do get to train or climb on rock together. I have looked up to him for many years ever since I was a kid and I still do now too. So it was quite magical to have him there and help me through the whole process of flashing Bewilderness from the beta, spotting, encouragement and the good vibes. For me one of the best parts of flashing a bloc isn’t just the challenge itself but is the fact that it’s not just you".

Despite Milne’s primary focus being competition climbing, this year has seen him turn his attention to flashing hard blocs outdoors, too. With his flash of Jerry Moffatt’s classic The Ace at Stanage Edge he became only the second person to do so after Adam Ondra.

Other climbers who have flashed 8B+ in the past include Daniel Woods, Jimmy Webb, Adam Ondra, Ned Feehally, Florian Wientjes, Aidan Roberts, Will Bosi, Tomoa Narasaki, Vadim Timonov, Kokoro Fujii, Moritz Perwitzschky and Jakob Schubert.