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Subject:
So High
Rating: V5
Quality: 4 stars
Location: Joshua Tree
Notes: Has a reputation for breaking bones!
Study: This is one boulder
problem that really lives up to its name,
as it is no doubt one of the scariest highballs
in SoCal. Put up in the early 80’s by
the legendary John Bachar, first toproped,
then soloed. Kevin Thaw added a V9 sit start
in the mid nineties. This low start suffered
a broken hold, and then was re-established
by Dan Mills at a solid V11. Reports indicate
that this low start has crumbled once again.
V13 anybody?
The original start, however, is in no jeopardy
of crumbling soon. Most need a cheat stone
to reach the high first holds, consisting
of thin patina flakes at the base of a shallow
crack. A huge move gets you started on this
epic climb. A couple of jugs and a few more
long moves gets you to the notorious lip move
roughly 22ft. OTD. Its this move turning the
lip that defines So High, and even Joshua
Tree bouldering for that matter, as a lexus
of bold climbing in Southern California.
Photos:
1. Aron Couzens near the top, photo from JTree
guide. Photo: R. Miramontes
2. Miramontes Falling from nea the top Photo:
Aron Couzens
3. Dan Mills re-establishing the sit. Photo:
R. Miramontes
4-5. Dan Mills near the top, then falling.
Photo: Miramontes
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