very disappointed with the reception to his 9a routes, as an artist (he sculpts in his spare time), he was very proud of his creations, and the emotions and engagement that they still aroused in the climbing community. Personal life Rouhling is married to Céline with whom they have two children, Hugo and Chloe. Rouhling sculpts in his spare time. Notable ascents Redpointed routes : Salamandre – Double Cache crag, Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny (FRA) – 2007. First ascent (natural route, no chipping). First repeat by Baptiste Dherbilly in 2017. : Mandallaz Drive – Allonzier-la-Caille, (FRA) – 2004. First ascent (natural route, no chipping). First repeat by Baptiste Dherbilly in 2021. – Saint Loup, (CHF) – 2001. Third ascent of Fred Nicole's 1993 route; at the time of Rouhling's ascent, there were only four known 9a routes in the world. L'autre côté du Ciel – Les Eaux-Claires (Charente), (FRA) – 1997. First ascent. Rouhling almost entirely manufactured the route by chipping out the holds (a practice at the time but since shunned). First repeat by in 2020 who agreed it was 9a, but felt that a kneepad (which he did not use) could make it easier. – Vilhonneur (Charente), (FRA) – 1995. First ascent. Rouhling used some chipping and hold filling to create the route. He estimated it at 9b, the world's first-ever 9b (and even 9a+) at the time, and created one of the most famous grading disputes in sport climbing history. First repeat by and Lucien Martinez in 2020 who assigned the route a "hard 9a" grade. Hugh – Les Eaux-Claires (Charente), (FRA) – 1993. First ascent. First-ever French 9a-graded sport route and fourth 9a in the world. Rouhling chipped out some new holds and filled in others to create the route. First repeat by (2001), with many others including Dai Koyamada in 2002, and in 2020 who also confirmed the grade of 9a. : Empreinte – Double Cache crag, Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny (FRA) – 2008. First ascent (natural route, no chipping). Rouhling proposed 9a+; first repeat by Baptiste Dherbilly in 2021 said 8c+. Non à la Bombe – Saint Loup, (CHF) – 2001. Repeat of Fred Nicole's 1995 route. Archipel – Les Eaux-Claires (Charente), (FRA) – 1997. First ascent. First repeat by Dai Koyamada and Yuji Hirayama in 2000 (and first repeat of any Rouhling route above 8c+) who confirmed grade. Kami – Les Eaux-Claires (Charente), (FRA) – 1994. First ascent. First