The Mandala

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For other uses, see Mandala (disambiguation).
The Mandala
Map showing the location of The Mandala
Map showing the location of The Mandala
Location of the route
LocationBishop, California
Coordinates37°17′40″N 118°36′36″W / 37.29444°N 118.61000°W / 37.29444; -118.61000[1]
Climbing AreaThe Buttermilks
Route TypeBouldering
Vertical Gain6-metre (20 ft)[1][2]
GradeV12 (8A+)[1][2]
First ascentChris Sharma, 2000

In the sport of rock climbing, The Mandala is a 6-metre (20 ft) high bouldering problem (a difficult but short climb completed without a rope) in the Buttermilks, a popular bouldering area near Bishop, California. It is one of the most widely known boulder problems in the world, and is graded V12 (8A+).[3][4][5]

History[]

The problem climbs a steep overhanging prow on a large granite boulder that for many decades was considered too difficult and futuristic to solve.[6] In 2008, Climbing magazine recounted a story from the 1970s where John Bachar and Ron Kauk reportedly joked the line would one day fall to John Gill's grandchildren, and describing it as a boulder that "to this day remains one of the most coveted and storied problems in American bouldering".[6]

It was first climbed by Chris Sharma in February 2000.[4][7] Sharma's ascent received much acclaim in the climbing community, however he did not assign a grade the problem.[8] The boulder was repeated by other climbers several months later in quick succession, the first being Dave Graham,[4] secondly by Jared Roth, and thirdly by international boulderer Fred Nicole,[9] and with subsequent ascents by others the grade was consolidated at V12 (8A+).[4] Since the first ascent, several holds have broken including one of the crux holds.[9][2] In 2002, Tony Lamiche completed the first flash of the route.[4] In January 2008, Lisa Rands made the first female ascent,[4][6] and in 2011, Alex Johnson made the second female ascent.[10] Contemporary ascents are still covered in the climbing media.[11][12]

Variations[]

In 2002, a sit-down-start (SDS) was added by Tony Lamiche, which is graded at V14 (8B+),[13] and is somtimes referred to as The Mandaloin, or The Mandala SDS.[8] In 2007, Jeff Silcox added a more intimidating direct finish (avoiding the left escape near the top of the prow), to create The Mandala Direct, still graded V12 (8A+).[8] Later in 2007, Paul Robinson, added the sit-down-start to Silcox's route, making the first ascent of The Mandala Direct Assis, graded V14 (8B+).[8]

Filmography[]

  • Chris Sharma's first ascent: Lowell, Josh (director) (11 February 2012). Dosage Volume I (Motion picture). Big UP Productions. ASIN B000NOK288. Retrieved 25 December 2021.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "The Mandala V12". thecrag. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "The Mandala V12". MountainProject. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Rock Stars: 10 of the Most Famous Boulder Problems in the World". 21 July 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Buttermilks Mandala boulder climbed by Lisa Rands". PlanetMountain.com. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  5. ^ Beal, Peter (30 April 2021). "The Classic 25: America's Best Boulder Problems". Outside. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Justin Roth (14 March 2008). "Lisa Rands on The Mandala". Climbing Magazine. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  7. ^ Nogin, Monica (11 November 2014). "Alex Megox sends Mandala Sit Start V13/14". Rock & Ice. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d "Video: Paul Robinson Mandala Direct Assis (V14) First Ascent". ClimbingArc. 3 December 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Sachi Amma Crushing in Bishop". Gripped.com. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Alex Johnson Sends The Mandala". ClimbingArc. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  11. ^ "Israeli Sender Alex Khazanov Flashes Mandala V12". Gripped.com. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Kai Lightner Storms Bishop, Hikes The Mandala (V12)". Rock & Ice. 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  13. ^ McDonald, Dougald (21 January 2008). "Lisa Rands Boulders Mandala (V12)". Climbing. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
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