Yosemite Slab Climbing The boulders in Yosemite have some classic slab problems. Included in the footwork circuit are Initial Friction (V1), Elegant Gypsy (V7), Blue Suede Shoes (V5), and Red Suede Shoes (v5) at the Camp 4 boulders, Full Sail (V7) at the Cathedral Boulders, Avocado (V9/10) at the Curry Boulders. One of the harder and more classic lines is Kumba (V8) in the boulders above King Cobra. Most of the crowds are at the Buttermilks and Tablelands of Bishop this weekend. The boulders behind Camp 4 are dry and sticky as ever. Blue Suede Shoes "feels like 5.10" according to an El Portal Local. For those that can hike the "easy" slab of Blue Suede Shoes- they can work on the harder slab of Kumba. Below is a video of Bay Area Hardman boulderer and avid first ascentionist Scott Chandler hiking the difficult moves while casually commenting on the weather.

Kumba from scott chandler on Vimeo.

Labels: Kumba, Scott Chandler, slab climbing

  ¶ Saturday, February 13, 2010