Phat Club 9a by Joe Kinder (41)

Joe Kinder has done Phat Club 9a in Rifle, where he previously has done four 9a's and a 9a+ FA from last month. "Took a considerable amount of effort. Pure endurance 9a climbing. I really enjoyed the time on that pathway out of the Wicked Cave... now it's case closed on that section of wall. Combo of the best 14+ rigs in Rifle."
(c) Paul Gajda

Could you please describe the route and further potentials in Rifle?
Phat Club is a combo of my routes Fat Camp (my favorite route in Rifle) and Bad Girls Club, both considered 9a. The nature of Phat Club is pure endurance, long streams of hard climbing all the way to the top. It's brilliant and takes the straightest pathway up the wall.

I have two more undone projects in Rifle that will be in the 9a+ or more range and that is likely it. I hate to say it, but development in Rifle is pretty done. Sure, there's fill-ins, connections and extensions, but I don't think that's the most productive way to invest my time. I believe it's time to start expanding out as there are some incredible cliffs in the zone with LOTS of potential. Rifle will always be a place I visit, but for growth and expanding the sport (which is very important to me) it's time to start paying attention to the other spots.

Right now all I can think about is my project called Mammajama (pronounced ma'am-uh-jam-uh) in Southern Utah.... I'm obsessed!!! My wife rolls her eyes as I've always got some sort of climbing obsession HA! I love it... LOVE IT!!!!! I'm hoping I can keep the stream of good form going!