Aidan Roberts Flashes a Nalle Hukkataival V14
The board-like problem in Switzerland requires some savage crimping
Aidan Roberts has flashed Momentum V14 (8B+) in Valle Bavona, Switzerland. The climb’s movement resembles something you’d find on a Kilter Board or MoonBoard. The crux sequence is defined by a intense latch on a tiny right-hand crimp followed by a big throw to a left-hand pinch. The next few moves are easier but still require power and precision.
Established by Nalle Hukkataival in 2012 and originally graded V15, the problem was later downgraded to V14 by its second ascensionist, Jan Hojer. Subsequent ascensionists agreed with the downgrade, including Daniel Woods and Paul Robinson.
Keenan Takahashi and Daniel Woods were the ones who recommended that Roberts get on the problem, providing him with beta. Takahashi ended up sending the problem a few days after Roberts.
“Between intermittent rain showers and wavering motivation at the idea of a soggy top-out slab, a weather window opened and I was able to top out on my flash attempt, a great feeling!” said Roberts on Instagram. “The line and this style was enough to make this boulder inspiring. But the climb also gave me confidence and meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends made the day a very special one for me.”
The 24-year-old Brit has accumulated an impressive list of hard bouldering ticks. He’s had an immense amount of success in Switzerland in particular. Across various trips to the country, he’s repeated Shawn Raboutou’s Alphane V17 and put up numerous V16 first ascents including Everything the Light Touches, Vecchio Leone Low, and The Lions Share. He also put up the U.K.’s first two V16’s: Superpowers and Isles of Wonder Sit.
You can watch footage of Roberts’ flash of Momentum V14 in the Mellow video below: