Billy Ridal ticks The Big Island (8C) - Updated

Billy Ridal, with seven 8B+’ under his belt, has completed The Big Island (8C) in Fontainebleau. ”17 sessions since 2021, two dedicated seasons and multiple leg injuries. The first boulder that has kept me hooked for such a sustained period. A big fight even on the send, such a joy to battle through those slopes. Made up.”

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
The experience with this boulder has been new ground for me. Success, distraction or defeat tends to come within just a few sessions, so to find a boulder that perfectly rode the line of possibility, in a style that continued to captivate me, has been really special.

17 sessions since 2021 and the last two seasons dedicated towards it makes this comfortably my biggest effort on a boulder. It broke me last year, both physically from the intense heel hooks, and mentally as pressure from the weather, my leg and my own head began to hamstring performance.

I tried to learn from that this year, having spaced out sessions and trying to emphasise the joy of climbing, rather than the outcome. I’m not sure I’ve ever really reached that kind of mindset, I’m always looking forward to the next goal. But I think I had some success in a conscious effort to combat my default.

It was clear this year that I could do it, with a high point on my second session, beyond the point that I thought it likely I’d fall. It took another 3 sessions after that, with several falls at the end. More than enough time for doubt to creep in. In hindsight I’m glad It made me fight for it again. Doing it quickly, whilst satisfying, wasn’t the experience I came for. Bettering oneself is what makes a project special, and the changes this boulder forced me to make certainly did that.

I didn’t get the perfect go, things felt off through the beginning, and my feet were sliding around in the top. Despite that, the feedback on my right hand was good and I kept tension hitting the lip allowing a moment to take a breath and squeeze for the cut. It was just enough. I thought it might click and feel easy in the end, it didn’t, and I’m happy with that, I wanted it to be hard.