Happy Boulders: Hulk [Ego Crush]

Happy Boulders: Hulk [Ego Crush]

Posted July 18, 2008 at 7:04 am · Comments { 4 } · Photo: Tim Kettering

To conclude this series of posts, let me recount one of my more unpleasant experiences during my trip to Bishop.  The experience pertains to one of the more well known moderate lines at the Happy Boulders, Hulk.  The Dr. Topo guide gave it V6, but I have seen it other places as low as V4.  Why is this important?  Because I got totally shutdown, that’s why.

Upon arriving at the outdoor gym known as the Hulk boulder, I thought I would have Hulk in the bag quickly and I would be on to crushing many other mid-grade testpieces in no time.  Hulk climbs straight out the steepest part of the roof so it pretty much should have been right in my wheelhouse.  I used my usual routine and threw down a flash attempt…after that failed I figured I would send in a few goes…and after those failed I then went into full project mode…only to admit defeat an hour later.  Brutal.  I could blame it on the sunny conditions, the polished holds or the awkward angle the crux move required me to place my wrist into…or I could just admit that I was too weak to send.  Check the last 4 photos in the sequence for what it looks like if you actually send the boulder…

So how hard did I think Hulk was?  About V12!  Strange game this bouldering thing is…

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  • http://www.rock-climbing-for-life.com Ryan

    We all have those problems that are below are grade abilities but we just can’t send them. Wouldn’t let it bother you too much

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  • http://www.straightouttabedlam.blogspot.com sock hands

    i think you should quit climbing and send me your digital SLR in time for tomorrow’s session since i do not yet have my battery carger in the mail and rubbing the battery on the carpet doesn’t seem to charge it at all, only me.

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  • http://www.blackcore.com tim

    i don’t care what anyone says.. its NOT a V4. V6 sounds right to me. but i think it can be all over the map for different people because there are so many different ways you can send ‘Hulk’. When I was living out there, I always saw people coming in and taking their shot at it.

    Only being there 3 months, I can think of at least 4 different ways to do the crux move from the two holds prior.

    1. dyno that mothafuker, and hope you dont swing off and land on your ass (or head).
    2. foot hook that hueco, and reach over with your right hand for the jug.
    3. step off the lower jug and the little jib directly below the jug and use left hand to hit the jug.
    4. being tall, strong enough, u can just grab the left side of the jug right off the bat.

    I’ve tried it many times. I can only do it with either #1 or #3. I’ve tried #2 so many times and end up pounding sand.

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  • http://www.scottygross.blogspot.com SG

    Dyno beta B! The only way it’s gone for me. Screw that right crimp, right hand all the way to the sloper, left to the other side, done.

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