Nina Williams Climbs New V9 Highball
Every Vocal Animal is the newest addition to the collection of hard bishop highballs
Nina Williams has made the first ascent of the highball Every Vocal Animal (EVA) V9 in Bishop’s Buttermilks. Williams is one of the world’s most accomplished highball climbers.
“EVA has three distinct cruxes: some burly opening moves, a committing wide-shoulder reach at the midpoint, and an equally committing stand into a small undercling 3/4 of the way up,” said Williams. “The bottom is steep, a nice change from Bishop’s technical fare, but the upper shield is that classic bullet Bishop stone (think Checkerboard or Maze of Death).”
In 2015, Williams sent her first V13 – Ray of Light in Rocklands, South Africa. In 2017, she made the first female ascent of the giant highball Ambrosia V11 in the Buttermilks. In 2018, she sent The Shining V13 and The Automator V13, both located in Rocky Mountain National Park. In May 2023, she repeated the iconic China Beach 5.14b in Rumney. At the very end of 2023, she topped Drew Ruana’s Florida Man V12 alongside Brooke Raboutou. In January 2024, she topped Meadowlark Lemon Stand V12 in Red Rock.
“This climb has all my favorite things – jugs, crimps, heel hooks, a kneebar,” Williams said about EVA. “Places to rest & cruxes that demand full commitment – physical and mental certainty. Good stone and great views.” Watch the first ascent and a repeat below.
Every Vocal Animal V9 Repeat
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