The 2026 Rocklands season welcomed a new crew to the Cederberg. All the way from Albuquerque New Mexico: Caleb Franchere, Josh Rexroad, Domingo Jones, Pablo Gallegos, and Nate Castellano journeyed down south and made their mark.
The New Mexy Boys spend their time honing their skills at their home gym, Stone Age Climbing Gym and then go out to test themselves on the wide range of hard projects in New Mexico. Areas such as Roy and Hueco tanks are frequented by these guys, with multiple 8B/V13 boulders and even some 8B+/V14 FAs (first ascents) under their belts.
Caleb Franchere on Bloodbath 8B/V13 first ascent.
This was the crew's first time in Rocklands. Growing up and watching Mellow videos created a shared dream between these homies. A dream that finally came to fruition alongside a generational tick list (27 boulders 8A/V11 and up). Including three 8B+/V14 ascents, Reverse Cowgirl, Speed of Sound and Black Eagle Sit Start. In addition to all their hard ascents the New Mexy Boys released a two edits documenting many of their climbs alongside some other shenanigans. Check out the video here: Episode 1 and Episode 2. Rocklands has not seen the last of these guys, as there are plans in the works for them to return and tackle The Finnish Line...
Caleb Franchere and Josh Rexroad at the base of Black Eagle Sit Start 8B+/V14
After Rocklands the New Mexy Boys found themselves in the bustling streets of Observatory, Cape Town. Where they stumbled across Kragsentrale who were hosting the raddest climbing competition of the year Resistance. Caleb and Josh landed into finals alongside a stack lined up including: Thilo Schröter, Michael Piccolruaz, Jack Burnigham and Nicholas Allan. With setters Katsuaki Miyazawa and Tsukuru Hori flying down from B-Pump Ogikubo to help set the boulders. With a solid performance from both these guys.
Caleb Franchere trying hard on M4 boulder
Josh Rexroad getting flexy on M2 boulder
Liminal Climbing was selling holds during the competiton as well and this is what Caleb had to say about them:
"At the comp I was immediately intrigued by the selection Liminal Holds had on display. My buds got a set of the incut/flat crimps. I personally love a bigger hold, so I chose to get this perfect, comfortable 30mm sloper pinch. These guys made it even more special with explaining the origin of each rock the holds were made out of. With mine, it happened to be made from the white quartzite that litters the hills of Cape Town."
Caleb Franchere holding his quartzite and blackwood hold
Rocklands ticklist:
~Black Eagle Sit Start — 8B+ / V14
~Speed of Sound — 8B+ / V14
~Reverse Cowgirl — 8B+ / V14
~Mooiste Meisie — 8B / V13
~Sky — 8B / V13
~El Corazon — 8B / V13 (3rd go)
~Moon Shadow — 8B / V13 (Flash)
~Big Attack Lies — 8B / V13
~Airstar — 8B / V13
~The Guest List — 8B / V13
~The Vice — 8B / V13 (2nd go)
~Power of One — 8B / V13
~Night Show — 8A+ / V12
~Industry of Cool — 8A+ / V12
~Law and Order — 8A+ / V12
~Shosholoza — 8A+ / V12 (Flash)
~Tail of the Caracal — 8A+ / V12 (Flash)
~Armed Response — 8A+ / V12
~Into the Void — 8A+ / V12
~Oral Office — 8A+ / V12
~Out of Balance — 8A / V11 (Flash)
~Flying Guitar Thief — 8A / V11 (Flash)
~Deep Turtle — 8A / V11 (Flash)
~Cornerstone — 8A / V11 (Flash)
~Lightsaber — 8A / V11 (Flash)
~First Blood — 8A / V11
~Black Velvet — 8A / V11
~Paula Abdul — 7C+ / V10
~Weichei — 7C+ / V10
~Caroline — 7C+ / V10
~Into the Light — 7C+ / V10
~Hole in One — 7C+ / V10
~The Rhino — 7B+ / V8 (Flash)
~First Rule of Fight Club — 7c (Flash)
~Black Slab — 7a