Jimmy Webb has not had a long break since his trip to the Rocklands and, like others, is now in Boulder, Colorado. This weekend he managed a super hard boulder: Creature from the Black Lagoon (8c +).
Around the city of Boulder northwest of Denver is the name program. Countless blocks of granite, sandstone and quartz make the climbing heart beat faster. Of course, the heart of a climber beats even higher after successfully completing a project.
Daniel Woods manages first ascent
Daniel Woods first climbed the Creature from the Black Lagoon in autumn 2016 and carefully suggested grade V16 (8c +). "As for how hard this thing is? that is a question that will obviously be thrown around, accepted or bashed. For me to compare it to other 15s I've done, analyze the breakdown (to me it felt like v15 to get into the stand of leviathan, no rest, then soft 11 to the top) then come up with a number to represent the climb is difficult. I believe this line is harder than most 15s I've done so why not call it 16. If train is ran on it and consensus calls it 15, then that is all good.
Long discussion about "Next Level"
After the first ascent, Daniel Woods asks himself which grade he should suggest for the super difficult boulder: "Dave Graham and I have talked a lot about the progression of grades and try to understand what would make something 16. We are left dumbfounded to realize that the same level in bouldering has maintained from Fred Nicole, Bernd Zangerl, and Klem loskot a decade ago until now. We can either acknowledge what is a level up from the standard of 15 (based off of consensus over the years) or continue climbing v15 for another decade. "
James Webb takes the third ascent of Creature from the Black Lagoon
Jimmy Webb made (relatively) short work of the 8c + in Rocky Mountain National Park. "After 6 days of work gaining the necessary power, power endurance, and alpine fitness I was finally able to take it down. Feels so damn good to climb such a stunner !! Still got plenty of time left in the alpine and there's tons more to do. ”Well then we are curious to see what James will climb during his stay.
Credits: picture Hannah Donnelly