Yep, for reals, no jokes. We've been saying it for years, but I think laying out in this post makes it more obvious.
For a long time, a bunch of backwoods no-namers have fairly quietly gone about developing one of North America's bouldering Meccas. An incredible community of hard-working, supportive, and strong boulderers have spent over a decade tirelessly developing boulder problems, trails, landings, campsites, the community, etc. No BS, some friendly competition, a fairly consistent vision of development, positivity, support, and just plain climbing has fueled local boulderers, and the climbing scene has benefited as a result. At this point, The Boulderfields now holds one of the largest concentrations of hard bouldering in this part of North America.
Over the years, local boulderers have gotten stronger, bit by bit, and have continued to push the limit of the difficulty of boulder problems in the Okanagan. During this time, developers have been putting up lines in a "development bubble", where almost their entire season has been spent climbing in the Okanagan. This has undoubtedly affected the grading of problems over the years. With local boulderers not being completely hung up on grades, mostly climbing near home, and under the belief that they would likely never reach the V13/14 level, we've had the problem of unintentional sandbagging. A perfect case in point is No More Mr. Gneiss Guy, originally graded V12, now likely V14.
Ivan Luo taking a crack at Soul Polisher (V10/11)
With much more frequent visits from Canada's top boulderers and very experienced, strong climbers from around the world over the last few seasons, we're starting to get some consensus and suggestions about grades in the Okanagan, specifically The Boulderfields. The Fields is comprised of highly featured gneiss, with tons of steep angles and incredible holds made for climbing. This lends beautifully to hard bouldering, and many suggestions from travelling boulderers state that a fair bit of the hard bouldering could use a bit of an upgrade.
Braden McCrea working the crux of No More Mr. Gneiss Guy (V14)
So, without further adieu, I'm going to suggest the following: over 70 double digit lines in The Boulderfields at this point (listed below), more to come this season, and well over 100 double digit lines in the Okanagan Valley. Oh yeah, also don't forget the tons of projects we have yet to complete or the ones that we aren't strong enough to do! Here we go...
V14
No More Gneiss Guy
Where’s Wildo?
Men at Arms
Slipperier When Wet
V13
Asclepius
Slippery When Wet
The Deficit
Old Man Power
Boats ‘n Toes
Livin’ on the Edge
Wiggle Direct
The Booch
Detour Direct
Braden McCrea on the Tringulation Project
V12
Sons of Boreus
Nerf Roof
Press Conference
Bohemian Backwardsy
Brewtality
Magnet Man
The Sherpa
V11
Slashed and Torn
A Touch of Evil
Tried, Measured, Found Wanting
Serenity E
Serenity F
Driven
The Currency
Grape Smuggler Low
Dangleau
Distillery
Copper Show Stopper
Ninjay
SPH Low
The Larch
Building a Bro
Cereal Killer
Moist Cereal
Lonesome Jubilee
V10/11
Soul Polisher
What Lies Further Beneath
Low Speed Dirt
Braden McCrea on the FA of Carouser (V10)
V10
Thor Chinchilla
Apfelstrudel Low
Carouser
SPH
Headless Horseman
What Lies Beneath
Selene
Sherpa Lite
Will Power 2
Count Chocula
Cherries Jubilee
Fraser Island
Le Chub
Feet of Clay Low
Nerfin’ but Sunshine
From Africa with Love
Bigger Drummer Boy
Chaos Amidst the Serenity
Detour
The Wiggle Low
Room with a View
Eat Soap Die Young
Serenity A
Serenity B
Just Go Climb
The Grape Smuggler
The Hideout Left
The Hideout Right
Ethanol
Intricate Simplicity
Chutes and Ladders
Billy Goats Gruff