Jacob Bice

Second session of the season after trying it a year ago with Dave. Went back last week and for the beta with Quinn, but couldn't quite finish the job after relearning all of the beta. Wasn't really feeling that good the day of the send and it was still super humid after the storm but I kind of forced my way through this one.

That move to the lip is pretty serious! Watching Jason do it right after me had me worried, but he caught it.

Nice side adventure with Jason and Joan. The PCT was looking beautiful in the snow, which luckily didn't impact our climb. Missed the lip three times then finished this one off.

Nice line on crimps. Kind of unfortunate that the path of least resistance would be to go immediately left, which makes this an eliminate. I didn't see any videos that went straight up like I did (staying true to the route description).

Wasn't feeling too hot after a couple nights in a tent and some Curry pizza, but managed to hike this thing. I guess I learned something from all of these tech routes even though I haven't been super consistent on bouldering. Classic.

Nice little addition to the warm up circuit. Immediately stuck the first move of 'stick it' after, but couldn't make the flash happen. The move felt much harder on each attempt after that.

First day out in wild basin for a long time with David. Fell slapping for the finish hold on the flash, then fell on that move many more times before closing it out.

Missed the RMNP reservation the night before, so met up with David for a Flagstaff session in the 90's. We spent over an hour trying to slap that hold past the lip, David got up there first and figured out the top out for us. Haven't tried this one in a decade probably, nice to finish it off.

Last day of the trip with Max and David. The toe hook sequence at the lip had thwarted me for several sessions back in the day. Came back with some toe rubber on my shoes and was able to take this one to the top.

Right exit. Nice day out with Max, David and Masha.

Tried to hit Lincoln with David, but the wind made walking with a pad impossible. Dropped down to clear creek to check this one out.

Quick afternoon trip with David after his club med adventure. Tried this years ago and couldn’t get through the first few moves to the jug. Well something is different, so I sent the first try of this trip.

Nice day out trying Sunseeker with Dave W and a big crew.

First session, on the first day in CO on an impromptu trip. The weather was moody today, clouds and wind coming in twice, bringing some snow but cooling things off a bit. Met Jeremy F and Alex and got some good beta. 3rd go from the ground, and I was giving it everything on that move into the undercling. The send go was the only time I felt it flex as I was pushing into it for dear life. Great day out!

Got here early with Jason and it was still insanely hot. This one dies not fit me very well at all, but I made my way through with a double clutch on the lip. I guess I am officially a modern climber?

Nice day our with Jason, Joan and Laura. Awesome boulder, tough first move. Felt great to flash right after Jason told me I wouldn't!

3rd session overall, one years ago with Dave and Noah, then one last week with Jason to relearn the moves. Pulled up today with Zayn and Quinn and the top was soaked from rain with water streaking down the right arete holds. We decided to have some faith anyway and lugged the pads up through the slushy snow. Luckily things dried up while we warmed up. Punted the first go on the final move with a heel pop. Took 30 and got it next rip, even though I had a couple little slip ups. Tough boulder to grade because even though the moves are V8 or under you can't afford to make mistakes and only get a few good burns before you are completely burnt. Good times!

Solo session at dusk. First session I linked the first two moves, but then ran out of gas. This time I took 4 goes, each making it higher than the last. Super satisfying session.

Full sun! Almost had a disastrous punt at the top.

Met AH and watched him cruising the start of Scanner!

Second go

Second go. David's first day at the milks!

Nice way to round out the year with Jason. Went up and gave my skin a thrashing on Xavier’s, then hit this one on the way down the hill. Helps a little bit to be taller on this one. The feeling of catching that dog bowl when your mind expects you to hit the pads was amazing.

Jason showed me the beta. Perfect temps out there today.

Got a quick send while watching CT try dark side. Got shown the downriver zone with some megas afterward, as well as key beta on the shield!

Solo side mission on my way into the valley. Never got the big move to the jug in previous sessions, but have been working my technical climbing in the gym so had hope for an improvement. I quickly found that the trick for me is to slide the heel up after removing the hand. 5 rips from the bottom gave me a little fight, but I got it!

Finally got it after a multi year battle. Actually tried the top foot beta that everybody uses, and it works (surprise surprise). Aiden R on the spot and he said he had never been less concerned about someone falling, I was locked in.

First go after sending the right line. I thought it was a hair easier than the right exit.

Big squad! Don’t mess up on the top.

Fun, tricky little thing!

Saw someone fall and break her foot after.

Jason got the send too. Echoland might be one of the softest zones in Tahoe, which is saying something.

Nemesis boulder, finally got that heel to stick. Fun day with Nik and Jason. Got to try RIP in Peace afterwards.

Nice day out with Dave, Carlo and Johnny. First move felt really dialed, need to start working off the couch before I forget!

All time Tahoe bloc. Went back for a second session with Dave this time. Figured out the top quickly, and sent the very first time I stuck the first move.

Nice cold day with Dave and Ethan. Rained on me a little on the topout.

Big day with Jason. Took some time to figure out all of the beta, then completely ignored it on the send go and just slapped the jug. Went up to Silver Wolf after and it was in a deep puddle still, so bailed for Lost World.

Tried this one the first season I was in California, but couldn’t make any sense of it. Today every move seemed improbable, but by the end I had found some minor adjustments that made the send feel easy. Definitely anti-style, I was not on auto pilot for any of the moves.

Solo day on hell week. Took way too many tries with the undercling beta, before trying to just climb the crimps straight on. Good boulder, but kind of a shame it doesn't force the undercling beta, and doesnt force the rightward top out.

Nice little boulder with a few ways to climb it. Come prepared for a little difficulty on the topout as well. Max, David and I got chased off by a storm.

Tough to grade these weird/short boulders.

Nice Beavers session with Jason after a quick morning session on WttF.

Big TBF squad on a beautiful day.

Solo day on Christa's work trip. Took me a minute to figure this one out. Tried a bunch of my projects as well and got absolutely shut down.

Drug Christa out in the snow for a second session after a 2 year hiatus. Came up with some new beta to avoid the right toe hook. Went without any real drama, although it was insanely hot. Maybe the low with some temps?

Found some new beta on a very hot spring day. Another one from the LT11 video!

Started the trip with a Bacher classic!

Hiked through the snow with Christa for this one. Went into the afternoon shade right after I finished the climb in the blazing sun.

Mary's project. Amazing sunny day to be down by the river.

First day in Val Bavona! Climbed up to the finish 3 times before I used a sportsman's purse to finish it up.

Did the super low beta with my right hand starting in the pocket. Not the best rock in Chronico, but climbs really well. Got the Dave photo move on Dirt right after this!

Little project for Christa

That last hold was flexing!

First climb at Brione!

First day in Brione with Christa. Teamed up with Morgan and Cyril to take this one down. Unfortunately there is a big jug to stand on through the crux if you are tall enough…

I’ve bailed on this one a few times a season, but never could commit. Thanks for the spot Adam!

Only line on the wall that remains true to the grade. The only redeeming quality to this one is the cool full pad edge that is on a cobble stuck in the wall.

You've gotta be kidding me...

First time at the freaks, Christa's new project. Some Tahoe climbers are really lying to themselves with this one...

Nice climb out a roof and turning onto the face. Last send of the trip. Had a tough time with the heat and injuries, but we made the best of it.

Took me a minute to find the toe hook beta with a storm coming in. Met some cool guys from New York.

One of the best anywhere. Nice to do a send train with David.

Did the new beta. There are probably cooler ways to climb this boulder.

Killing time before Christa's project went into the shade. Hard first move! Tricky.

Out with Christa trying her project. Keith from Reno showed me the left bump method. Took 5 tries or so.

Solo session with Butters on hell week. Got super lost looking for this boulder. Looking forward to coming back to finish things off.

That heel hook on the sit is insane. Figured out I can do it with a toe, but it is really hard.

Started one right hand move down on the slight undercling pinch to make the move a little more interesting. Inspired to do the low by Mcneely.

Bushwhacked up the hill with Christa so she could give this a shot. Tough first move for me, the rest was ok. Stays very cold in this little cave.

2nd go

Christa sent her project on the 3rd session. Nice day with Jonathan and Ezra.

This thing is short but pushed me on my anti style. Got some good links from the sit, but couldn’t quite put it together. Epic day out with Jason.

Few goes in the baking sun. Had some fun figuring out the moves on the sit, but not sure I'll be back this way.

Great day out with Jonathan K. Great little compression line right by the road, what more can you ask for?

Christa and I came up here for her to try PJ tight. The wind was raging and I was freezing. Took a nice fall off the slab and was ok. This one is the typical sharp/slick Tahoe granite

Only send of the day with Jason

Got talked into trying this one over dinner the night before. Huge pad party, step ladder, the whole rig. Nice milestone for me.

3rd go. Nice evening session with some support from Christa.

Mary’s project. This thing is harder than I thought it would be.

Doesn’t get much better. Christa made some promising moves on this one too.

Took me way too many tries to get this one. Original high start in side pulls.

First climb at the buttermilks! Same guy from LA that was there for my first climb at the Happy’s.

Better than the right version

First climb in Bishop!

Tricky. Came up here so Christa could try Hamtaro.

Doesn't add much to the original.

Nice day out with Christa.

Came out with Jason and family. First boulder of the year. Got all the moves on the low, but couldn't quite finish it off.

Climbs better than it looks. Just missed the flash.

Another mini project for Christa.

Blew the flash. Kind of starts in an arbitrary place which feels weird. I’ll come back for the sit.

Good day at bridalveil with Jason and Christa. Unlocked it with a secret divot below the seam. Missed the top jug the first time.

2nd session. Top isn’t too crazy, but definitely had some concerns with the left hand razor blade. Luckily didn’t experience the fall.

2nd session with Jason, Jamie and Andy. First go with reverse hand jammies (thanks Jason).

Sent quickly after Christa took down Root Canal. Warmed up by trying a couple moves, then went straight to the top on the first go. The top isn't the most secure, so come ready.

3rd session over many years. This rounds out the big 3 Yosemite v8’s for me. Things are starting to click for me here.

First day in the valley with Jason. Top of this was harder than I wanted it to be!

2nd go of my 3rd session with Christa. Felt really good with some decent temps for once, although it was humid. Almost blew the last move going out left to the last crimp, but held to together. Managed to drive off with the tailgate down and lose my pads right after this… not my finest moment.

Incredibly humid after that record breaking storm. Second session, got the send solo. First v10 in the valley.

Nick showed me the new boulders at Kirkwood today. We made it past multiple rangers and a mile of ash-mud to be here. This was the only dry climb, but worth it.

Braved the ash-mud with Nick to find this one. Climbs well, but a crucial hold is close to pulling off (even though it is reinforced).

Took many tries to sus the topout. Want to come back for the full line.

Closed out the day with this one. So tired.

Need to come ready with a decent amount of pads.

First day at Coldstream with Nick and Jason. Sharp and gritty. V8 in the book.

Took a few minutes to warm up to the small seam. Christa almost made short work of this one after sending Hex.

Christa didn't like the look of my top out on the slab so much that she quit trying this one.

Ended the trip on this one with Christa. Topout was interesting with just a couple pads.

2nd go. Tried this one while Christa was projecting Hex

Quite a bit harder than Snack monster. Also looks as if something out left must have broken recently

Christa's new project.

Nice session with David showing me the way on this one. Had a tragic fall matching the lip before I got it together and sent.

This whole boulder is a little slick and sharp, not to mention the falls are a little weird.

Bachar classic. Skip this one if you are saving the skin on your right fingers for something, because this will cut you deep.

Bachar classic. Got up to the mantel a few times before I realized I needed to just press it out.

Was up at the boulder for Christa's third session on GoF. Took me a few goes. Might be my favorite line on the boulder. Top is more difficult than it seems, make sure your pad placement is good.

Nice day with Cole and Issac. Surprised myself with the flash! Earlier is better for this boulder, sun becomes a factor by 1pm or so.

Couple sharp holds, but overall nice climbing.

Very cold day with a snowstorm rolling in.

Redeemed myself after trying this in 2019. 1st go of the 4th session. George tagged along. One of my best days climbing in a while!

Snowy and rainy night turned into a nice sunny and windy day. Surprised myself! George came through for support and pads.

This one got away from me last trip.

3rd go.

Physical one on big holds. Met some new friends.

Bit of an ass dragger, but has some cool moves. Much better than the majority of local boulders with quality granite. Wonder how it got there.

Two new homies, Nick and Jon showed me this zone. A ton of tries to figure out the bottom in the heat, then was able to randomly fire it the first time I made it to the crimp.

A little sharp, but pretty cool.

Slab. About 30 rapid fire tries with two new friends I met. Rock is kind of suspect and keeps shedding little holds.

Too many tries to get this one. Send train with Jason.

Climbs a lot better than it looks.

Send train with Jason

Best climb at Joe’s that you’ve never heard of. There are kneebars.

2nd go. Christa’s new project.

Nice day with Jason, Christa, and Kyle. Top out is spicy for sure.

Jason flashed it :(

Dynamic beta.

Got beta from the man himself. Very cool tricky one. Slick holds, almost like limestone.

Tricky. Seems to favor the tall, but tons of beta possibilities.

2nd go. Salvaged the day and explored the Arboretum. Consensus is V6 everywhere else.

Quick session with David and Max. Watch out for that second hold, David got his finger filleted.

2nd go. Good one for Christa, she made big progress even in the dark.

Tried this with David years ago, and came back with him to get the send first try this time. Last one of 2020 for me.

Night bouldering after a heinous day in the desert with David and Christa. Pretty cool problem.

Christa's first V6.

Once I got the stand I was able to do the sit first try. Doesn't add much.

Says V9 in the book. I think the grades are way off on some of these out at Tahoe.

First day out with Jason and Christa. This place was really snowy, but we made it somehow!

Met Chris Schulte right before I found the boulder! Make sure to have your head right for the mossy slab guarding the very top. I sure didn't, and spent a good 10 minutes on the ledge at 18ft.

There were about 20 people on thriller so I took this as my back up plan. Great problem, very small holds.

Definitely not the easiest for the grade.

Took a lot of tries! For slab this is about as good as they come.

Big one for me. Full value, and despite the polished holds its as good as they say. Can’t wait to do more in the valley.

Really cool one. Maybe height dependent.

Just slipped on the first go. 2nd try. This area stays very cold and damp.

Classic for the grade.

2nd go. Not nearly as awesome as the other lines.

Met a a few new friends from the Bay Area and worked the whole boulder. This and midnight train are probably the most classic lines.

Couple goes with Christa. First time out there, was not prepared for that long approach. This boulder is as short as they come.

2nd go.

Amazing first climb of the day and was lucky enough to walk away with a flash. Definitely favors the tall.

Really nice one with a hard topout.

Christa's first send at Yosemite.

First time over to curry village boulders

First boulder Christa and I tried at Yosemite.

Christa’s new project.

Did a cool foot swing

2nd go with Christa. Second day out, getting a little strength back.

Amazing boulder!

First day out at Castle Peak with Christa. Very hot!

First day out bouldering with Christa since we moved to CA. Feels decent, even in the summer.

First of the grade. Great feeling.

Gotta work for this one.

First go of my 4th session with David, Christa and Kathleen. Dyno beta worked out like I thought it would when I was fresh.

Christa’s first day at Stone Fort with David. Loved the first and second moves. Very desperate on the finish.

First one of the trip with Christa and David. Dropped down in the creek at sunset on the way in after some local redneck tried to chase us off. Very frictionless and unique for the area due to being in Suck creek. Local classic. Topped out in the dark.

Sent in my first session with Mike. Took less than an hour to figure out the beta and send. First of the grade.

Was foiled by the first move of this boulder for years, only to find it was pretty simple now. Got wrecked on ALD all morning, then sent Fred's 2nd try today. Solo mission.

Seems contrived, but really isn't that bad.

Horseshoe day with Steven and Christa. First time to get two V10's in one day.

Second go with Chattanooga Tim

First day at Fred’s with Steven.

Send train with Dylan and Mike

Fun time out with David, Max and Christa. I stole David's send by spotting too close. Oops.

Hike out to Evans isn’t that bad.

2nd session

Took it down quick with David. It's as good as everyone says and right by the road.

Randomly popped this one off at the end of my trip. Much harder than Yoda.

Brilliant highball in a secluded alcove by the river

Doesn't seem to add much difficulty to the original line. Got it first go, but had already climbed the stand last year.

About 20 goes with Dylan C.

Seems overlooked by most. Climbs just as well as PC-7.

Perfect classic. Surprised myself by making it to the lip then had to improvise on the topout on the send.

Rock quality is a little weird on this one but climbs well. Book says V8, seems about right.

So happy to have nabbed this classic.

Original start.

Seems contrived.

3rd go.

Tried the crux and top-out a couple times then did it first try from the start. Top-out was a little dicey. 20 medium difficulty moves makes this climb more like a 5.12 than a boulder. Good day with Miles.

Nice, sculpted slimpers that Cave is known for. Good test of finger strength.

Dont see why this got 4 stars in the book. Dirty, on low quality rock.

Almost flashed. Good pure crimp line.

My best FA to date!

Very fun figuring out the unconventional sequence.

Somewhat height dependent. Worth trying. 2nd go.

Classic. Want to climb other lines on this boulder.

May be slightly soft if you are taller. Worth the hike.

Only detracting factor is having to avoid dabbing the boulder behind you on the first few moves.

Must do boulder. Classic moves to a classic top-out.

Not really my style of boulder. Awkward traverse on sidepulls/underclings.

Great climb with multiple ways to get through the crux (dynamic and static).

Frustrating classic.

Now that I've watched a few videos there are some definite ways to cheat this boulder, which probably accounts for the people saying 'soft'. More fun to do it the proper way.

Supposed area classic. Very contrived, and the quality of the climbing doesn't make up for it. Wouldn't bother. The book claims 25ft, but that is misleading as there is a boulder to land on that makes it pretty safe.

Nice long roof traverse ending with high quality "Triple Slaps" problem. Guide book says V5, I'd agree.

2nd go. Committing heel hook/sloper sequence high off the deck. Took the fall from the crux and I was fine. Must do.

Great tall slab, good landing. Climbs very well.

Good test of roof technique.

Weird start followed by much easier climbing.

Good quality rock, but the climbing is not standout. Top out is the business.

This climb is a little different.

Huge perfect block. Climbs about as good as it looks.

Lots of climbing, but fall is protected nicely by a huge boulder. Perfect sloper climbing on the finish.

Doesn't really warrant it's status as a classic, in my opinion.

Love climbing these old school classics. Face climb on crimps, straight up.

Find the weird foot beta and its a piece of cake.

Excellent boulder problem combining technique and footwork with strength. Full disclosure: dabbed on my spotter during the ascent. I will go back to send it more cleanly when I can. Have not climbed enough of the grade to know, but I think it is most comparable to V9's I have climbed.

Very nice. Took the fall from the lip and then went back up for the send. There is less friction to the rock here compared to most Arkansas climbing.

Pure line, tons of moves and the top out doesn't give up. One of the best boulders around.

This thing spat me off for a while.

When you think it's over watch out for the thorn crux!

First go on my second session, send train with David first. Great day.

Name I heard was 'Hustle and Flow'

Avoiding the dab is the crux.

This thing just wouldn't let me send for the longest time. Felt easy when it all went right, but I guess that's how it goes.

Pretty much as good as it gets. Starts hard then moves get progressively easier as it goes on. Conditions on this one can be a problem. Sent in first session. New guidebook has this at V8, but this problem is not comparable to other V8's at HCR.

New guidebook has this upgraded to V8. I think it's probably V7. 2nd go.

This should get climbed more. One of the most unique boulders I've done.

This boulder climbs well and looks very interesting. Seems height dependent for crux moves.

Nice dyno. A few tries.

This thing is really nice because it seems so impossible, but if you do it right you just fly up to the break. Exactly what bouldering should be. 3rd go.

Climbs really well out the roof and onto the face with cool holds and footwork.

First legit V7 flash.

This one got me frustrated until we discovered the beta.

Excellent climb with an awesome sequence to work out and just the right amount of difficulty.

Felt stiff for the grade. Tough topout.

Doesn't look like it sees much traffic. A good place to boulder if you want to chase the shade.

This line is very fun to climb, definitely a pleasure to work and just throw yourself at.

Nice and tall. May be wet if it has rained recently.

If you climb up to the move right below the lip you might question why you got yourself into this for a second. Just grab it. Don't fall please. Feels easy for the grade.

Beautiful rippled stone.

The topout means business. 2nd go.

Jam

Bring a spotter