The late Dean Potter was recognized for his daring free-solos, arduous rock climbs and highlines, however he was additionally top-of-the-line Yosemite boulderers throughout his time.
In a brand new video from Fusis Movies, Ross Fulkerson repeats Potter’s most well-known highball downside often known as King Air V10. We’ve included the video of Fulkerson and the primary ascent video of Potter under. Right here’s what Potter stated in regards to the route shortly after the primary ascent over 15 years in the past.
The Le Conte boulder, also referred to as the Home Preserving boulder [now called King Tut boulder], is in Yosemite Valley, California. For greater than a decade, I’d been making an attempt to determine the proudest, tallest line on the block, with no luck. Someday, I used to be taking part in with my sister Jenny’s youngsters, Cyrus and Dahlia, within the forest amongst the rocks. They have been performing all whacky, wild and uninhibited, leaping and bouncing round from rock to rock and scampering up bushes. I had been making an attempt this sick line on the boulder however by no means found out the crux transfer in all of the years earlier than. One way or the other the children, ‘something is feasible’ vitality drifted into me. I stood earlier than the beginning bucket guffawing. I used to be unfastened and moved my physique otherwise than ever earlier than. To my amazement, I caught the crux with my nine-year-old nephew and my 7-year-old niece recognizing me. I jumped down, cautious to not squish them and eventually believed I’d ship this lifetime venture inside my subsequent few efforts.
King Air is among the most blatant boulder issues round. For years I attempted the issue alone, one way or the other preserving it utterly secret. My bro, Ivo Ninov and I labored on it collectively. We stored our efforts stealth by washing off the chalk with water earlier than leaving for the evening. For years, I doubt anybody else ever severely regarded on the daring line because it was too excessive and there wasn’t any chalk to steer them. Ivos enthusiasm actually lifted me increased and better. On each severe try he noticed me, ensuring that at the very least I wouldn’t break up my melon. That is the proudest highball boulder downside I do know of within the Valley. The enterprise scales over 30 toes to the ultimate bucket. It’s on the verge of being a free solo. Once I fell my toes traveled 20 toes earlier than impacting the pads. I used to be fortunate to not shatter bones. My quads have been very sore and I limped round for the following few days. King Air is essentially the most lovely boulder downside I’ve ever performed. You’d be arduous pressed to search out any line, extra aesthetic.
King Air 2024
King Air FA
