By Dylan Jones

Yes, we’re aware. It’s dark when you go to work and it’s dark when you leave. That’s why winter is the best time to come get your crush on at ASCEND. And while the days may be getting shorter, November marks the beginning of bouldering season: chilly temps and dry air mean high friction on your outdoor projects! 

Speaking of projects, there’s plenty of pro-level bouldering action going on this month down at the New River Boulder Bounty. This cutthroat, Wild West-style competition, which began at midnight on November 1, was organized by the New River Alliance of Climbers (NRAC) and sponsored by some of the biggest companies and best gyms in the climbing universe. From the folks who brought us the deep-water soloing spectacle of PsicoRoc last year on Summersville Lake, the New River Boulder Bounty is yet another epic in a continued line of groundbreaking climbing competitions.

Here’s how it works: sponsors ponied up cash for first ascents on eight mega-hard New River Gorge (NRG) bouldering projects, ranging from projected grades of V11 to V14. Bounty hunters register to compete, and have to post on social media that they’re working a project (by the way, you should be following #newriverboulderbounty on Instagram). Competitors must have complete, uncut video footage of the ascent to collect a reward. At the end of November, the bounties of any unclimbed projects are donated to NRAC for maintenance of climbing access, replacing fixed hardware, and advocating for the advancement of the New River climbing community.

So far, the Boulder Bounty has been dominated by the powerhouse mutant who goes by the human name of Jimmy Webb. By keeping cool on heart-stopping top outs and flying through the air to connect on one-in-a-thousand-chance dynamic moves, Webb has nabbed first ascents on five of the eight sponsored projects, resulting in a purse of around five grand in cold, hard cash. Just think of how many crash pads you could buy with that wad! 

ASCEND Pittsburgh teamed up with Organic Climbing to sponsor the true highball of the comp—a nearly 30-foot stand-alone bloc aptly dubbed The Tower, located at the Carnage Crag along the spectacular setting of the New River Dries. While other projects as hard as V13 have gone down at the hands of Webb, the ASCEND / Organic project—which is estimated to be around V11—has thwarted all attempts to collect the $1,000 bounty. Perhaps it’s the razor-sharp crimps half-way up; perhaps it’s the V7 finish which includes an insecure topout move. Perhaps it’s the pure realization that this boulder blends the line between highball and free solo. Whatever the case, there are just a few weeks left for the bravest of the bounty hunters to cash in on this towering rogue.

Now that Daniel Woods is in town, as well as a few other up-and-coming crushers, we’ll see if anyone can muster up the vigilante strength needed to bring these remaining rogues to justice. One thing’s for sure: someone will eventually climb The Tower, but it may be with the security of a rope and good belay. Stay tuned to our blog and Highland Outdoors for more coverage.

Photo Credit: Dylan Jones | Highland Outdoors [www.djonesmedia.com | www.highland-outdoors.com]