My Outdoor Bouldering Craze

Over the past 2 weeks I have gone bouldering outdoors two times. This is more than I have done in the past. After these two times I have not only noticed that climbing has been more enjoyable but I have seen an increase in my climbing strength and my will to become a better climber. The first time was on Tuesday, March 10th. I went to Hooes Road  with Willow, Mr. Sharp, and Gage. It was an extraordinary session because I sent a long term project of mine called “Horse Head Route.” It was my first V3 outside and the support from the other climbers there is what I believe pushed me to do it.

The next time I went was on Sunday, March 15th. I went to Hooes again but this time it was with Alice, Willow, Mr. Sharp, and my parents. I did another send of “Horse Head Route” and was able to clean up my top that time. Willow also got her send on it and we were all very happy. Before that however we all worked on “Shanks Razor” which is a V2+ that none of us could find a beta video for. We were able to get through this tough crack section but none of us could figure out the mantel out of it. Alice got the farthest when she got her hand into the finger crack, held the crimp, and attempted to get her foot up. Unfortunately none of us were able to send it.

On that same day I decided to try a V4 that didn't have much information on Mountain Project. It was a low start on a pretty decent edge. From the edge you go to one of the tiniest side pulls I’ve seen. From the side pull it is a launch to a larger sidepull. Next, you lock a heel and move your hand up to a pretty sharp sloper. From this point you need to remove the heal and make the giant reach to a bomber horn on the top of the prow. Finally, you get your feet up and top out. I managed to get every move except the top out and the move from the sloper to the horn. Mr. Sharp was able to top out the climb. This climb is called “Spliff Shift.”

I’m not sure why I have become so obsessed with outdoor bouldering in the past few weeks. During school I spend a lot of time on the Mountain Project looking for good places to boulder near my house. Although I am very into outdoor bouldering right now, it has definitely not overshadowed my love for sport climbing. I’m very excited for my trip to the New River Gorge in 2 weeks.

B. Smith