nallehukkataival

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It's been an amazing week here in Yosemite! About a year ago was the first time I saw this project when it was just a wet mossy chunk of rock. No matter how eye-catching, lines usually don't look that spectacular when wet. But this one still blew our minds. It's one of those rare ones with perfect rock and only the holds you absolutely need. Nothing less, nothing more. Like it's made for climbing. A year has gone by since then and this project was still the first thing on my mind when I returned to Yosemite. So straight to the Yabo roof it was. After hours of cleaning and many ups and downs with deciphering the beta, I managed to stick every move! It goes! This boulder climbs like a dream! Time to start piecing it all together. It's having projects like this around the world that makes me travel! Only a quick to Yosemite trip this round but I already can't wait to get straight back after a short stop in Europe! (at Yosemite National Park)

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Martin making a quick repeat of a new one from yesterday Action-packed (V10). Fun little mini at the Coop! (at Rocklands, South Africa.)

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First ascent of Vintage (V12)! A rad project I tried back in 2009 that was forgotten about until this year! So many new boulders going down this season! (at Rocklands, South Africa.)

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Making good use of the hot days here in Rocklands! Opened this rad deep water solo the other day! Fun times here even when the heat puts the projects on hold! (at Rocklands, South Africa.)

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Yesterday was a good day as I finished @fred_nicole's legendary Monkey Wedding (V15). A boulder that I had tried and got close to doing already many years ago, I'd kept it aside as one of the last remaining climbs for me in Rocklands after an unfortunate series of skin issues. Today, years later, the boulder has seen 7 ascents before me. Feels good to complete a climb I started such a long time ago, but crossing one last climb off my list also marks the end of an era for me in Rocklands. Luckily there are still plenty of great projects in sight to keep busy and new areas to continue developing! 📷 @dave_graham_ #liveclimbrepeat #bouldering #weareisland @blackdiamond @lasportivagram (at Rocklands, South Africa.)

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Mowing the lawn African style #TIA (at Rocklands, South Africa.)

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Excited to see Paul Robinson climbed his project The Dragon's Guardian (V15), I was stoked to go check it out! Up on the side of the mountain, the boulder offers a nice view over the whole Driehoek valley. The boulder climbs out a steep overhang with lots of body tension and extended moves. I really enjoyed figuring out the subtleties of the beta that culminates in a powerful foot cut at the end of the crux. Perhaps not quite V15 but a great hard boulder nonetheless! Thanks to Paul for opening it! Video coming soon along with a couple of first ascents! (at Rocklands, South Africa.)

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This old @tommycaldwell project at the Coop finally got climbed the other day. Calling it The Beaten Path (V10). Did another exceptional new boulder on the right as well going at around V11! Still some old projects lurking around in Rocklands! 📷 @lisa_chulich #liveclimbrepeat #weareisland @blackdiamond @lasportivagram

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One of the best in Rocklands! The Power And The Glory (V11). 📷 @alvipakarinen #liveclimbrepeat @blackdiamond @lasportivagram (at Rocklands, South Africa.)

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Great sunset session yesterday at the Section! Got the 3rd ascent of Shaky Warrior (V14) put up by @dave_graham_ last season. Nothing like topping out to a stunning sunset! 📷 @lisa_chulich #liveclimbrepeat #weareisland @blackdiamond @lasportivagram (at Rocklands, South Africa.)

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I'm finally starting to understand why people say 'good luck on your project'. We've been here in Rätikon for almost two weeks now and it's barely stopped raining during the whole time. Last year I got close on a multi-pitch called WoGü climbing past both of the 8c pitches, with a wet section putting and end to it. This year we returned to take care of unfinished business, but the route hasn't been dry once in it's entirety. I've climbed every single pitch of WoGü, but have to leave without even getting to give the whole route an attempt this year. Such is alpine climbing, I guess. Big thanks to @roland_hemetzberger for sticking it out despite the bad weather. Soon time for some more enjoyable weather in Africa!!! 📷 Alvi Pakarinen (at Rätikon)

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Kicking off the season in Rätikon with Roland Hemetzberger! Snow is melting and things are starting to look a little less alpine. Long days on the wall ahead! (at Rätikon)

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Nothing to do but to call it for this round with the Lappnor project. The season for it, the fleeting moment that it seemed to be this spring, was already over a while ago. Even with night sessions at midnight the conditions just aren't there. This time it's harder to walk away, because for the first time I felt confident that I could climb it. Having linked it many times in two sections and climbed to the top starting from one move in, it was only a matter of time. And a matter of time it remained indeed as the weather had other plans. There are no guarantees. Years of hard work and dedication can be rendered useless by the tiniest thing. It's a frail process but it makes you appreciate those times when everything comes together so perfectly that you don't even think about it. Back when it gets good again with the same motivation and hopefully a bit better luck! Now time for some other things!! (at Lappnor)

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Night session (at Lappnor)

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South Africa travel booked for this summer! Very few places in the world get me as excited. No matter how many times I come back to the Cederberg mountains, it never gets old!

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Making links on the Lappnor project! Today is another day. Back to it!! (at Lappnor)

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What a show the Sisu Masters was again! Tight competition all the way to the end ultimately came down to just one foot slip putting James Webb, myself and Anthony Gullsten on the podium ahead of Daniel Woods, Ilari Kelloniemi Dave Graham. Definitely the best competition I've ever had the pleasure to be a part of! Good to see competitions evolving in a direction of what bouldering is actually about; sessioning difficult boulders with friends and sharing beta and energy! As opposed to being locked in a white room for hours on end waiting for your designated timeslot to perform. Thank you everyone for making the Sisu Masters possible and a fully sold out show!