Zach Galla Completes The Process V16
The young American climber has made the second ascent of the massive Daniel Woods highball in the Buttermilks
On February 27, Zach Galla made the second ascent of The Process V16 in the Buttermilks. First climbed by Daniel Woods in 2015, the problem is located on the famous Grandpa Peabody boulder to the right of Lucid Dreaming V15 and Devilution V16. The line was an open project for years before Woods’ eventual first ascent.
The Process is an extension of the drop-off problem Social Distortion V13, originally established by Matt Birch. After climbing through that problem, The Process continues up through a V14 sequence high off the deck, followed by a technical V10 slab exit in no-fall territory. The line contains some fragile rock and has experience breakage over the years, potentially making it more difficult.
“Topping this one out was a feeling no other climb has ever given me,” said Galla about The Process on Instagram. “After sticking the lip and calming myself down, it felt like I was in a bubble and the only thing that mattered was the next move. It was a true 100% focus I’ve never found through anything else. [Daniel Woods] was truly ahead of his time doing the first ascent of this mental and physical testpiece 9 years ago. Mad respect, thank you for showing me what is possible.”
Galla, 23, is quickly becoming one of the strongest boulderers in the United States. In recent years, he’s picked up sends of Sleepwalker V15/16 and Nathaniel Coleman’s Grand Illusion V16, six problems graded V15, and many V14s. Since September 2023, he’s climbed one V16, one V15/16, and four V15s.
Daniel Woods’ FA of The Process V16
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