I felt like I was going to be executed doing this problem. Everything was sharp and the top out was tough, but the
campus start and the high heel hooks were so fun, I loved coming up with and doing this one. I'll definitely try it
again next time I'm in Catoctin to make sure V4 feels like the right grade.
As far as I know and can tell, no one has climbed this entire face around the corner from the Neon boulder so Frankenweenie
was just the easiest route I could find up the boulder. Each move felt really juggy and stable but the boulder is so dirty
and the rock is so flaky I never felt certain the rock would hold me. This thing is tall and the landing isn't great.
My first ever first ascent of a boulder (as far as I know). I can't be certain no one has ever done this before
until other people check it out and let me know on mountain project so for now it counts. The holds felt very dusty
and unused so I doubt anyone has done this, at least not in a long time. Starts as a sit start
on the big blade looking vertical slab/flake thing. Traverse left along it with basically no foot holds, just
hands on the lip of the blade until you can reach up to the overhang above. From there just traverse left and
top out the same way as Neon Milk. It felt really cool making up my own boulder problem and figuring it out as I
climbed it. Gave it the name Neon Guillotine Traverse since it starts on the big blade looking rock and finishes
with a traverse. Gave it a V1 grade because the most difficult portion was the start on the blade, but even that
was easily done on my first attempt.
This one is the same start as Neon Guillotine Traverse, the main difference is the top out. Rather than traversing
left, top out towards the right where there are less holds and generally worse holds. The holds on the top out for
this one felt very dirty so I definitely doubt anyone has done this one. I gave it a V3 since the top out is much
trickier than the traverse as you dont have any good footholds other than the blade until you make some big moves
towards the top, but it might be closer to V2, I'll need to climb it again to be sure. I gave it a PG13 since if you
fall on the crux you will likely land on the blade. Definitely need someone holding a crash pad over the blade while
you climb to make it safe.
Problem Ideas (these could end up being impossible)
Progress on unfinished projects
notable problems
Hellen Keller (V1 Flash) - Flagstaff Amphitheater, Flagstaff Mountain, CO
May 25, 2024
This was a really cool V1 that started with a heel hook and went into some reachy moves to good crimps. The
top out was relatively scary cause the only decent hold at the top was a little slippery pebble and the landing
was pretty terrible, but still super fun.
Southeast Bulge (V0) - Flagstaff Amphitheater, Flagstaff Mountain, CO
May 25, 2024
This was a pretty fun V0. Not really much to say other than it was my first problem I finished during my first
trip to Colorado so it was also my first time climbing on sandstone.
Hot Forged (V4) - Thurmont Vista Boulders, Catoctin Mountain Park, MD
April 20, 2024
Really awesome to get my first V4, but I kind of wish it was on a different problem. I did this one twice
because the mountain project description didn't give great direction and I wanted to make sure I did it right.
Both ways I did it, it just didnt feel that great until near the top. Some really cool tiny crimps and pinches
on it though.
What's a King to a God? (V3 PG13 flash) - Heavens boulder, Northwest Branch, MD
March 30, 2024
Really glad I flashed this. Sit start on a jug into a sloper felt really cool. Cool sharp crimps in the middle
section and then finishing on V1-2 slab was great. The top out was probably the easiest section, but easily the scariest
since you're relying heavily on your feet not slipping and making you fall ~25ft. Favorite climb I've ever done.
Groaner (V2) - Gateway Trail Boulders, Catoctin Mountain Park, MD
April 13, 2024
The holds on this one are some of my favorites in all of Catoctin. Such smooth, slopey crimps that don't feel
too bad on the skin. Its not a very tall boulder either so it never feels very scary, even when the crux is
probably the top out.
This was my first outdoor V2. It felt like it was mostly a V2 because the reaches were pretty long, but a lot
of the holds felt really good. There was a pretty large flake that flexed whenever I held it so that was
pretty sketchy.
The Gulag (V1-2) - Thurmont Vista Boulders, Catoctin Mountain Park, MD
March 10, 2024
The start to this one was definitely the hardest part. Started on small crimps with a big move to better holds.
Once I got past that it wasn't too bad.
My first ever outdoor boulder. Might be biased since it was my first boulder, but it was really fun. I normally
don't really like traverse problems, but this one felt good. Tiny footholds and cool pocket holds. Really
easy top out walking up a slab with great crimps on it.
Walk into This Guy (V1 flash) - Gateway Trail Boulders, Catoctin Mountain Park, MD
March 16, 2024
This was my first V1 flash. Nice moves on big holds on the lower portion of the boulder. The upper section
was a bit scary with some sketchy moves on a sidepull towards the top and a long reach to a jug. Lots
of fun.
Smiley Face (V4) - Smiley Boulder, Mount Gretna, PA
Last attempt: November 5, 2024
This was the main problem I worked on during my first trip to Gretna. So much fun, the first move felt insane at first so I tried
the rest, skipping the first move and topped out. After that I tried the first move again and got it immediately, but couldn't
actually link all of the moves, will definitely get it next time.
40s (V3+) - 40 boulder, Patapsco Valley State Park, MD
Last attempt: October 26, 2024
Fun start with a heel hook and throwing for crimps. I feel like the crux was moving from the shallow pocket on the right up to
the top out. I worked out all of the moves on this but didn't actually top it out since I was alone and definitely need a spotter
for this one. The video is me working out what I felt was the crux, not a proper attempt from the start.
Frameshift (V4) - Frameshift Boulder, Patapsco Valley State Park, MD
Last attempt: October 26, 2024
The start of this took me so long to actually get down, by the time I could consistently do it, the left hand side pull
had already destroyed my skin so it was tough to make much more progress on it.
Winnie (V4+) - Frameshift Boulder, Patapsco Valley State Park, MD
Last attempt: October 26, 2024
I mostly wanted to try this because of its name, but the start was cool. I wish there were more videos of people doing this
one because the only beta I could figure out was just the beta for the V6 variation.
Static Shock (V5) - Thurmont Vista Boulders, Catoctin Mountain Park, MD
The first few moves are easy but it can be tricky getting wide enough to get my left hand as high as possible on the arete. Then its difficult to
walk your feet over since there aren't any decent footholds, just places to smear. It took me a few tries to get the first reach dialed in, but I
think the dynamic throw for the final hold will take a lot longer, but this feels so close.
North Overhang (V3/4) - Pebble Boulder, Flagstaff Mountain, CO
Last Attempt - May 25, 2024
This is probably my favorite boulder problem I've ever attempted and I can't believe I didn't finish it. On my
first attempt, I made it to the top out section, trying to get over the overhang, but I couldn't find where to
put my right hand, but watching videos back, all I needed to do was get my feet up a bit and then I could have
easily finished it. Still amazing problem though, each hold was just a small pebble to pinch or crimp and it
required so much balance to stay on the wall. I would fly back to colorado just to try this one again.
South Undercling (V3) - Flagstaff Amphitheater, Flagstaff Mountain, CO
Last Attempt - May 25, 2024
This was another great problem that I don't know how I didn't finish. I made it to the top out and all I had to do
was move my left hand up and then get my feet up and there was plenty of great holds for both, but I think it was just
early in the day when I was trying it and I had brain fog up there. Pretty cool and powerful feeling moves on it though,
would love to finish it someday.
Its Gone (V5) & 3rd Strike (V6) - Way Back Boulder, Patapsco Valley State Park, MD
This entire boulder looks so insanely cool, but the moves on these two problems look the most fun. I would love to check it out,
but the approach is long and I don't think I want to go out there until the winter or late fall when it'll be least overgrown. I
also want to wait until I can for sure make decent progress on these problems so I don't waste my time hiking out there.
