This year has been special for 25-year-old German, Kim Marschner and apparently, the Magic Wood area in Switzerland gives him superpowers! Last week he managed to send Unendliche Geschichte 1+2+3 (8C/9a) and it was equally the first ropeless ascent. Established by Peter Wuerth (with rope) in 2009 Unendliche Geschichte 1+2+3 is the extension of the classic The Never-ending Story (8B+) with four more bolts.
With the help of some of his friends and 20 crash-pads, Kim sent this line putting him on the radar as one of the OG highballers.
The terrifying highball might as well compare to Kevin Jorgeson’s 16-meter Ambrosia located in the Buttermilks, California. Equally home to some crazy mammoth boulders such as Alex Honnold’s 15-meter Too Big to Fail, that featuring insecure movements all the way up its vertical face.
Originally from Schorndorf in Germany, Kim is one of the more senior climbers in the German Climbing team, and surprisingly (or not) also one of the most successful competitors of the German Ninja Warrior TV show.
Starting his competition career at the age of 14, Marschner has participated at 23 World Cups as well as plenty of European Youth Cups and of course national comps.
According to his IFSC profile, Kim’s debut was at a European Youth Championship in Grindelwald, Switzerland where he ended on the 24th position in bouldering. In the same year, 2013, he also took his best position in Speed Youth, 2nd place at the European Youth Cup in Edinburgh.
In 2018, Marschner participated in the IFSC World Cup in Hachioji, Japan where he achieved the highest position in his professional career. He earned a 17th place in men’s Bouldering. Ranking 81st on the IFSC scoreboard in 2019, Kim subsequently decided to retire from his competition career in the following years.
Apart from his long-lasting career as a climber and TV star, Marschner managed to draw attention to himself with some badass outdoor boulders over the past few years. In February 2022, during a visit to Chironico, Switzerland, Kim put up the first ascent of Forgotten Gem 8C, one of his most difficult ascents to this date.
Now splitting his time between surfing and bouldering, we can’t wait to see Kim’s next mind-boggling achievement is!
Featured image: @kimmarschner
