Yosemite Valley Now Has Two V16 Boulders
The Dark Side and Last Line of Defense are currently the hardest two boulders in Yosemite
David Fitzgerald recently made the first ascent of Last Line of Defense V16 (8C+) in Yosemite Valley. Previously a longstanding open project, the problem is a low start to The Shield, a V11 put up by Randy Puro in 2006.
The crux of Last Line of Defense features one of the most difficult moves of any established boulder problem. “Back in March, I managed to break through into the stand, only to tragically wet-fire off the topout crimps after a badly-timed downpour,” said Fitzgerald. “Limped away with a bruised heel/ego, but thankfully nothing worse. It then held its ground for another 6 sessions until I eventually wore it down; the extra fight making it feel all the more memorable. Feels like the most complex section of rock I’ve ever linked and best thing I’ve ever climbed!”
The first V16 established in Yosemite Valley was The Dark Side by Carlo Traversi in December 2023. It’s an ultra-technical and subtle line is found on the Thriller Boulder in the forest beside Camp 4. Traversi projected the problem on and off for years before his eventual first ascent, which he called his most difficult boulder ever. It’s since been repeated by Aidan Roberts, Keenan Takahashi and Katie Lamb.
Other hard problems in Yosemite include Love Will Tear Us Apart V15 and Tierrany V14 – watch a few sends below.
