Hardest Offwidth in the World?

Nov 16, 11:55 AM | Vedauwoo

Laramie climbing local Justin Edl has completed Monsters Incorporated, the latest in a long string of first ascents among the boulders at Vedauwoo. He has almost singlehandedly pushed the standards of offwidth bouldering in recent years at this Wyoming climbing area.

According to mountainproject.com, Monsters Incorporated is, “perhaps one of the hardest offwidths in the world.” First ascensionist Edl says, ”(it is a) perfect splitter (that) cracks the undulating underside of an immense boulder… (that) keeps switching between forty five and sixty degrees, and its offset keeps swithching back and forth from left to right.”

In the rarified world of offwidth bouldering, Edl has this to say, “I wouldn’t feel bad if news of it never went into any magazine. I just want the people who would care about such a thing to know about it. I would love it if people who adore OW’s stopped by to do it.”

He adds, “Though this thing doesn’t sport any moves as hard as Eight Ounces to Freedom (another Edl first and rated 5.13-, or V7), endurance over the distance proves the overall crux.”

Note, the V-grade and YDS number mean little to those who do not climb in Vedauwoo. Remember too, that the notoriously sandbagged grades at Vedauwoo will no doubt carry over to these creations. But don’t let that scare you away…