Lily Gurdison ticks Killer C (8c)

Lily Gurdison, who did her first 8b one year ago, has completed Killer Z (8c) in Hurricave. ”Insanity with Amity! Pulled it out after I thought the season was over. Goes on this route gave me insane unrelenting pump that one time left my forearms toasted for a week straight. No knees🫨”

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
Clipping the chains on "Killer Z" was a total surprise and an absolute delight! I had been trying the route for the past 2.5 months, the name of the game being endurance and power endurance. It starts as a pumpy 8b, into a 7c+ section, and then you have a 7a+ boulder crux at the top, which spat me off multiple times this season. When giving redpoint attempts on this route, I have gotten the most pumped I have ever been in my life probably 3 or 4 times!

Amity Warme invited me out yesterday for a nice weather window, before that I had previously accepted that the season was over. To my utter suprise, I was able to hold it together through the pumpy steep climbing and vicious boulder at the top! It was a great day and a great first 8c!

What is your climbing background?
I've been climbing for 12 years! Most of my climbing years have been spent as a competitor in US youth and elite competitions, and now my focus has been on the outdoors for the past 2 years! I am lucky to live in Las Vegas, NV where there is so much access to outdoor climbing all year round.