Photos by bvb

steep, pocketed, and on some of the best rock on the planet, this five-star problem, located high in the mountains northeastern utah, sees very few repeats...

Poor little crag gremmie bvb, having been sandbagged by some ruthless locals, about to hit hard after pitching off the crux sloper mantle on intersection boulder's V3 center route, winter of 1973. Note the advanced "spotting" technique being employed by the ground team, who were all busy trying to get out of the way! As for the natty threads...hey, this was '73, when you could still wear wool knickers with a perfectly straight face and get away with it...

Jocelyn warming up on a cold, crisp, bone dry day in Font, January 1990. Perfect conditions, and with the exception of a couple of really freindly locals we didn't see any other climbers all week. I hate to say it, but those were the days...

Here's one for the history books -- March 1985 -- Brooke Sandahl and Mike Paul making the first attempts on Stingray, later TR'd by Mike to become JTree's hardest crack. On this freezing March day, good progress ws made, but man did the fingers get COLD!

Once upon a time, epi ruled the scene when it came to long, knee-knocking runouts and steep boulder problems that demanded flexibility and raw, unfettered power. Here's Greg in his prime, circa 1985, showing us how it's done on his shamelessly sandbagged B1 "Epicenter", Mt. Woodson.

Jocelyn starts to air it out on the Whiffle Ball, one of many superb highball boulder problems at Big Rocks, an area loaded with off-the-deck moderates. The problem Jocelyn's on in this photo is a 30' V2 heavily pocketed jug haul with the crux down low, and a must-do for those visiting the area. Look for full beta on Big Rocks in the soon-to-be-released Russo/Baldwin/Beck Utah Bouldering Guide.

Joceyln Van Belle enjoys the spectacular setting at Big Rocks, near Capitol Reef National Park and located on the northern edge of the 9,000 foot Awapa Plateau. The lush Rabbit Valley lies in the background, with 11,600 foot Thousand Lake Mountain looming behind.

Typical of Big Rocks bouldering is this long, powerful sit down roof. After travelling miles of horizontal, relief is granted when you finally hit the big huecos at the lip. But it ain't over till it's over -- a burly topout now awaits the fully pumped pebble wrestler!

a very young bvb styles the splitter on a typical trad ascent, circa 1975. Notice the grace, poise, and ethical purity cherished by those of a bygone era. Nothing tainted about this ascent of Stone Groove! This is the way it was done, back when giants roamed the earth...