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A Portrait of Fred Nicole

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

Swiss climber Fred Nicole has been bouldering at the leading edge of pure difficulty for over 25 years, continuing to redefine human possibility. His prolific tick list spans decades and the world, ranging from V13 to the almost supernatural grade of V16. Fred was the first to boulder V13 and also V14, although he does not assign grades to his own problems, relying on consensus from other climbers. Fred sees climbing as an art form, where a person can express ones self through movement.

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