In contrast to the first ascent, Daniel Woods, who screamed for what felt like 10 minutes when he climbed out, Noah Wheeler has his emotions much more under control. This video shows his ascent of the 9A boulder Return of the Sleepwalker.
The boulder Return of the Sleepwalker (ROTSW) drove the first ascent Daniel Woods almost to madness. Never before had he projected the same boulder for such a long time. Never before had he bouldered such a difficult line. In this light, it is not surprising that he yelled loudly for a full 27 seconds to give space to all the emotions after completing the climb.
The Return of the Sleepwalker it is the seated start version of the 8c + Boulder Sleepwalker in the Red Rocks, USA. The sit start consists of 7 moves, which are already rated 8b in themselves – and only then does the 8c+ boulder Sleepwalker begin.
Since Woods’ first ascent, numerous greats have attempted the boulder, but so far only Will Bosi in February 2024 and now Noah Wheeler (January 1, 2025).
Video of the ascent of Return of the Sleepwalker (9A) by Noah Wheeler
That might interest you
- Jakob Schubert in the Red Rocks: Is the 9a boulder threatened with devaluation?
- In the bouldering Olympus: Will Bosi climbs his fourth 9A boulder with Spots of Time
- 9a Boulder Megatron first climbed: Shawn Raboutou publishes video
+ + +
Credits: Cover picture Noah Wheeler