11-18-14: Raggedy Anne

Randy Puro on the first ascent of Raggedy Anne [v9] circa 2009

To stay with the recent theme, here is another problem from the Horse Trail.  Located just on the north side of the trail between Cerberus and 1-inch Punch, this technical and slopey problem has a spicy finish.  Definitely better to try in the shade and with a good spot for confidence.  There is a boulder in the landing zone that can be disconcerting, but I never have seen anyone fall on it. 

GPS: 37.745344, -119.562619

-Raza 

11-10-14: Cerberus Right

Paul Barraza on the first ascent of Cerberus Right [v9] circa April 2009


Here is another blast from the past.  Out on the Horse Trail lies a hidden gem amongst the trees.  This was a team affair, as I did the right exit, Randy Puro did the left exit and Justin Alarcon did the middle (direct) exit.  Hence the name Cerberus, or three-headed monster.  

The problem is located on the Horse Trails in the general area between Kauk Face and Raggedy Anne.  It is up the hill from the trail, so it may take a bit of hunting around.  Well worth a search.  For the less adventurous types here are the GPS coordinates: 37.745549, -119.564260.

11-3-14: Zero

Patti Phillips on Zero, v4

There was a previous post about the cool boulder problem Hero, v8 and there is a cool problem to the right that was not mentioned.  If you don't feel like being a "hero" you can bust right onto the slab for a more technical option.  It is still v4, and the upper bit is pretty thin, so you may still need to perform some "heroics" to top out...

It should be noted that another cool problem is nearby - towards El Cap.  Scott Frye's Army (SFA) is a tricky face climb also established in 2008.

-Raza

10-23-14: Deliverance

Beth Rodden on Deliverance, v8

BetaBase is officially out of hibernation mode, as things are starting to cool down a bit.  There is some catching up to do with old posts, and here is a video of beth climbing Deliverance, v8 at the Lost Boulders.

There aren't too many hard crack boulder problems in Yosemite.  In fact, there are basically 3: Bachar Cracker, v4; Deliverance, v8; and Sasquatch, v11.

The boulder can be a bit hard to find.  The Cedar Boulder is a good reference point, but you have to meander into the woods from there.  Here are the GPS coordinates to punch into your smart phone: 37.720655, -119.616680.

-Raza

4-21-14: Single Subject

Joel Ruscher on Single Subject [v9]

After a bit of a hiatus, Joel Ruscher is back in the game.  A few weekends back, Joel nabbed the first ascent of this cool squeeze arete.  As you may have gathered from the name, the climb is deceptively simple, and you feel like you could stick the pinch every go (until you don't).  

The problem is located just to the right of the Infamous Dark Crystal problem at the Ahwahnee boulders.  This time, we have video proof...

4-15-14: Sasquatch

Randy Puro on Sasquatch, v11


Most scientists discount the existence of Bigfoot (Sasquatch) and consider it to be a combination of folklore, misidentification, and hoax rather than a living animal. [wikipedia]

Much like Bigfoot, ascents of Sasquatch are rare as it is one of the hardest pure crack boulder problems around.  Our visits to the valley have been rare as well, after our son was born - but that is a different story.

Randy has been on a tear and sent Sasquatch last December.  It must be hard at his point for home to find established boulder problems that he hasn't done yet. 

If you are feeling like a stone master, go to the back side of the LeConte boulder to test your mettle.