The Mandala
Encyclopedia
The Mandala is a boulder problem (a sequence of hand and foot holds constituting an ascension route) in The Buttermilks
, which is a popular bouldering
area near Bishop, California
.
The problem climbs a steep prow on a large granite boulder and was considered a great project for many years before it was first climbed by Chris Sharma
in early 2000. This ascent received much acclaim in the climbing community. Although Sharma did not rate the problem (jokingly, he stated that if he had to, it would have been V16), it was thought by many to be hard V14 in the bouldering grading system
.
Over time, however, the grade was consolidated at V11 or V12. Since the first ascent, several holds have broken including one of the crux holds. The problem is now thought to be soft V12.
It was given a sit-start by Tony Lamiche in 2002. The sit-start is about V14/8B+. The Mandala is one of the most widely known boulder problems in the world.
Later in 2007 Paul Robinson
, who climbed it in one day together with The Swarm 8B/8B+, made the first ascent of The Mandala Direct Assis (variation of the current one), which he claimed to be much harder than the regular mandala, but gave the same 8B+ grade.
The Mandala saw its first ascent by a woman in January of 2008 by Lisa Rands
.
The Buttermilks
The Buttermilks, or Buttermilk Country, is a well known bouldering destination. It comprises the western edge of the Owens Valley near Bishop, California, in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada.The Buttermilks are located in Inyo County at...
, which is a popular bouldering
Bouldering
Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas...
area near Bishop, California
Bishop, California
Bishop is a city in Inyo County, California, United States. Though Bishop is the only city and the largest populated place in Inyo County, the county seat is Independence. Bishop is located near the northern end of the Owens Valley, at an elevation of 4147 feet . The population was 3,879 at the...
.
The problem climbs a steep prow on a large granite boulder and was considered a great project for many years before it was first climbed by Chris Sharma
Chris Sharma
Chris Omprakash Sharma is an American rock climber.-History:Chris Omprakash Sharma was raised in Santa Cruz, California, son of Gita Jahn and Bob Sharma. He started rock climbing when he was 12 at the Pacific Edge climbing gym...
in early 2000. This ascent received much acclaim in the climbing community. Although Sharma did not rate the problem (jokingly, he stated that if he had to, it would have been V16), it was thought by many to be hard V14 in the bouldering grading system
Grade (bouldering)
In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are often distinct from those used in roped climbing. Bouldering grade systems in wide use include the Hueco "V" grades , Fontainebleau technical grades, route colors, Peak District...
.
Over time, however, the grade was consolidated at V11 or V12. Since the first ascent, several holds have broken including one of the crux holds. The problem is now thought to be soft V12.
It was given a sit-start by Tony Lamiche in 2002. The sit-start is about V14/8B+. The Mandala is one of the most widely known boulder problems in the world.
Later in 2007 Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson (climber)
Paul David Robinson is a professional rock climber known for his national and World Cup competition results and outdoor bouldering ascents. He currently runs a personal blog and website and writes a pro blog for Dead Point Magazine...
, who climbed it in one day together with The Swarm 8B/8B+, made the first ascent of The Mandala Direct Assis (variation of the current one), which he claimed to be much harder than the regular mandala, but gave the same 8B+ grade.
The Mandala saw its first ascent by a woman in January of 2008 by Lisa Rands
Lisa Rands
Lisa Rands is an American rock climber born in 1975. She is known for her bouldering, competition wins, and ascents of gritstone routes. She was first introduced to climbing while studying for her geology degree. In her early climbing years she aspired to every kind of climbing from bouldering to...
.