Matt Fultz Makes the Second Ascent of a V16
The strong American climber said this is his hardest climb to date and he's previously climbed seven V16s
Matt Fultz has made the second ascent of Shawn Raboutou’s Big Z V16 in Tahoe, California, for his eighth boulder at the grade. “This is the hardest problem I have ever done without a doubt,” he said. “Honestly, this is the first time I truly understand the concept of a problem being bigger and more meaningful than just the number attached to it.”
Big Z is a uniquely delicate boulder problem established by American Shawn Raboutou in December 2020. The climb traverses right through the overhung face across powerful edges. The slow movement of the climbing demands more than power, instead requiring immense precision.
The last V16 Fultz climbed was Vecchio Leone Sit V16 in Brione, and his six previous V16 ascents were all in the US, with his first being Hypnotized Minds in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) back in 2020. Also in 2020, he climbed Vecchio Leone V13 on his second go.
The other V16s that he’s climbed are: Moonlight Sonata in Joe’s Valley, Brace for the Cure (FA) in RMNP, Creature from the Black Lagoon in RMNP, Grand Illusion in Little Cottonwood Canyon and Sleepwalker in Red Rocks (a problem since downgraded by Will Bosi).
Fultz on Big Z Repeat
Raboutou on Big Z FA
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