100 Best Bolders

[Lox]

Well... I initially though the same thing - why are there so many weird, obscure and hard problems mentioned. Then I see that it is the "best bolders" and not best problems. I can certainly see how some unrated, unrepeated Jason Kehl sickness would get a shoutout as "best boulder" instead of "most classic" or "best problem."

Whatevs.

If it really was "best bolder" the clear winner would be the mushroom bolder, for level of climbs and classicness of all climbs on the bolder itself. But... isn't that place closed so are they leaving closed areas off the list?

This list raises more questions than it answers. I tend to agree with Criz, seems like a big fan of certain areas wrote this with no collaboration with other climbers.

[evil temptress]

I could see his comment if a majority of the problems picked were in Bishop, but there are about an equal number of problem from Bishop and Hueco (along with all of Colorado, NE and SE).

I agree that calling the article "best bolder" is stupid.

[Lox]

Maybe... Best Pandering to Our Readership then?

[skav]

BOOM!

How many slabs on that list?

[Lox]

1/2?

The top of Shiver Me Timbers...

[Mr. Natural]

Is this list available on the interweb? or do you have to buy the mag? when i click on the link i get only the first ten problems. it goes without saying that if the inclusion of ML was debated and total consensus was not reached, the list is a dabfest.

[skav]

http://www.urbanclimbermag.com/road_wor ... index.html

[Lox]

Yeh... on my original link you have to click back to page 1 to see the article.

DAB~!!!11

[evil temptress]

operator error

[Lox]

PEBKAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111111

[actionhero]

What about all the sick v16++ problems at The Spot?

[malachi]

never gonna satisfy anyone with a list like this.

my meaningless thoughts (focusing only on the problems I've actually done in this case)...

Prime Rib - love it. Really glad it made the list as it doesn't get widespread appreciation.
Try Again - absolutely. Lovely line.
Hammerhead - meh. So many better problems in the Valley.
Zig Zag - really? Yeah... it *looks* great but doesn't climb for shit IMHO.
The Rail - definitely. A must tick.
Suzie A - really? Another one where I can't help but say "so many more deserving problems in that area"
Wills Afire - absolutely. Love it.
King Cobra - very very much so. Makes me smile to think of the Urban Climber readers trying this one...
Robinson Rubber Tester - my first NFW response. Absolutely not deserving.
High Plains Drifter - as one of my candidates for "best problem anywhere" - yes.
Power of Silence - tough one. So much competition in Hueco but I guess I'd say yes.
Shiver Me Timbers - yes. See King Cobra above.
French Tickler - as with Power of Silence, so much competition. In this case I'd have to say it's not deserving.
Full Service - for historical reasons alone, yes (but should at least acknowledge the true given name from the FA - Serves You Right)
Moonshine Roof - of course. A given.
Soul Slinger - no. Not even die-hard Bishop locals are gonna argue for this one.
Once Upon a Time - no. Too much good rock in the Valley to give this one a nod.
Checkerboard - yes. a Thousand Times yes.
Bruce Lee - borderline.
Jedi Mind Tricks - yes. Everything you look for.
Saigon - no. As with Soul Slinger - even locals will pass on it. Just 'cause it's popular doesn't mean it's good.
Heavenly Path - yes yes yes. Again, so glad this problem is getting some recognition.
Ghetto Simulator - I don't understand how this is a contendor for "the most famous problem in Hueco" but that doesn't mean it's not great. Deserving.
The Maiden - no. I mean, come on. So many better problems in the park.
GFA - oh yes indeed!
Ride the Lightning - I guess this was added to up the NE representation? Would have been better to have looked a little further south towards CT.
The Ruckus (aka 7 Spanish blah blah) - Absolutely. No argument here.


To me the big oversights are:
- Thriller (Yosemite Valley)
- Strength in Numbers (Bishop)
- Pinch Route (Horsetooth)
- Planet X (Joshua Tree)

And then, of course, there are the closed problems / areas. That list probably is much of my "top problems of all time" list and includes a whole crap-load of stuff from Hueco (like 3 Star Arete, Bucket Roof, 45 degree wall, left and center el murray) as well as various stuff in CT and MA.

[efff]

a second vote for the "stuff in CT" that is illegal, don't think I have climbed a less than 2 star problem there...

[ScreamingMedic]

while the washington boldrz mentioned are all good problems it definitely seems like they just chose out ones that get the most 'play' on the interwebs

except for the sleeping lady

that thing is fucking spectacular

[skav]

Centerpiece @ Buffalo Park is way better than Zig Zag and one of the best problems for the grade I've ever done.

[600#gorilla]

of course the list is stoopid.

it doesn't include Tequila Sunset sit in the White Pine area.

i sent that shit on Saturday - oow-whoo-hoo!

[jlane]

Interesting list, a broad enough spectrum of areas and grades that most people reading the list can say they have done at least a few of the problems. Having spent a fair amount of time in both states I'm a little surprised that Washington with Index, Gold Bar and Levenworth have more problems on the list than Arizona. Criminal that CRSP has nothing on the list. Good to see some a couple of stemming problems thrown in, but could use some more slabs as well as crack problems.

[Ikefromla]

Yeah, forget about this stuff

http://blackmountainbouldering.blogspot.com/2010/09/once-upon-time.html

http://blackmountainbouldering.blogspot.com/2009/11/four-stars.html

[KIX]

#1 = what did you climb today.

[malachi]

Centerpiece @ Buffalo Park is way better than Zig Zag and one of the best problems for the grade I've ever done.

Agreed.