Heather Weidner (43) does I am the Walrus (8b+)

Heather Weidner, who did her first and only 8c back in 2014, has done I am the Walrus (8b+) in Flatirons. This was the 43-year-old third 8b or harder since she became a mom 18 months ago. (c) James Lucas

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
I am extremely grateful to be the mom of Dallas and still be able to get out three days a week to pursue climbing. I love pushing myself in the sport, physically and mentally. It allows me to have balance and come back to our little guy refreshed and ready to be the best mom I can be.

I am the Walrus, 5.14a, is in our backyard in the Flatirons of Boulder, CO. It had the hardest crux I’ve ever done on a route. The crux for most climbers is the upper boulder problem 30 meters up, but for me, about 1/3 of the way up the route there’s a huge move to the tufa from a terrible left-hand pinch that barely goes with my 5’5” (163 cm) height and span. I did a severe dropknee that made the move possible. I started working on this climb last fall for a half-dozen days then spent the past 6 weeks consistently working it. The first time I got through the lower tufa crux from the ground, I was able to keep it together mentally and clip the chains.