3/1/12 – Daniel Woods is proposing V15 for a boulder problem he completed yesterday in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. He posted the news on his Facebook page, saying “I just established the coolest, steepest, hard line I have put up.”

RMNP and Mt. Evans guidebook author Jamie Emerson found the boulder in the fall of 2010 doing some reconnaisance in the park. He brought Woods and Brian Capps in March 2011 to check out the problem. Woods spent four days on it and worked out all but the crux and an upper move. Two days ago, he finished the moves but couldn’t top out due to snow. He returned yesterday, shoveled off the top, and “executed the moves perfectly,” he said. “The feeling was amazing, and I was so psyched to complete such a beautiful roof.” He calls it Paint it Black.

He describes the boulder as a 65-degree overhanging prow on a hillside with a potential 20-foot fall into the river. Five moves of near-horizontal climbing contain the crux, which is “two high-tension foot moves to a hard right foot kick” to the right side of the stone. The holds start out slopey and end with tiny crimps.

This ascent comes just after Woods’ win at the American Bouldering Series 13 National Championships in Colorado Springs. He’s already climbed at least four V14s this year; just looking at his 27crags.com tick list, he’s got 12 V15s under his belt, 45 V14s, and 100 V13s. (That’s just what’s registered on that site.)

Date of ascent: February 29, 2012

Source: facebook.com, b3bouldering.com

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