Zach Galla repeats one of the toughest boulder problems in the world, Grand Illusion (8c +), in Little Cottonwood Canyon. It's the toughest line for Galla to date.
After a moderate performance at the Climbing National Champions in Salt Lake City Zach Galla unceremoniously drove to his long-term project Grand Illusion im Little Cottonwood Canyon. Once there, Galla realizes that the conditions are extremely bad.
"The handles in the lower part were damp, but I was so motivated that I dried them as well as possible and gave them a try."
Zach Galla
Zach Galla in Grand Illusion
Despite the poor conditions, Zach Galla got into the boulder and, to his own surprise, was on the block a little later. Although Galla already combines two 8c routes in his ticklist, it is the first boulder in grade 21c + for the 8-year-old.
It was a magical moment that I will never forget.
Zach Galla
Euro Roof becomes Grand Illusion
At the Boulder Grand illusion it is the sit-start version of the Chris Sharma first climbed Boulders Euro Roof, which for many years was considered one of the most difficult projects in the United States.
In June 2020 Nathaniel Coleman then the first ascent of the sit-start version and gave the extended line the name Grand Illusion. As a rating, he suggested 8c +. Since then, Grand Illusion has been of Matt Fultz, Sean bailey, Daniel Woods and now Zach Galla .
Video: Nathaniel Coleman on the first ascent of Grand Illusion
- Daniel Woods: First ascent of the Boulder Return of the Sleepwalker (9a)
- Nicolas Collin climbs Fontainebleau crack nut The Big Island (8c)
- Tuzgle: An almost undiscovered bouldering paradise
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Credits: Cover picture Sean Faulkner