Tyler Thompson ticks another two 9a’s

Tyler Thompson, who has climbed ten routes graded 9a and above in the past two years, recently sent Moonshine (9a) at The Remuda. Just four days later, he followed it up with an ascent of Mutation (9a) at Wild Iris Main Wall.

Can you tell us more about your latest two 9a’s?
I had been climbing for a few weeks at Wolf point but, as the season got warmer, the decent days there have been harder to come by. Wild iris is over 1000 feet higher and good on warm days so I started trying Moonshine around two weeks ago. I made steady progress and on my fourth session I fell 5 times in a row on the crux dyno. The next climbing day I sent on my third try.

A few days later, after sending Sheep Eye at Wolf point, I went back to the rodeo wave to check out the ending section of Mutation, which climbs Genetic Drifter into an 8b+ route. I did the 8b+ right away after checking the moves and making sure I had good beta. I decided to try from the bottom, which is a bit complicated because it involves a rope and belay swap due to the huge traverse. My first try I fell in the last few moves of genetic and managed to get through that section on the second try. I rested well before the 8b+ and desperately pulled through the redpoint crux at the very end, much to the dismay of myself and my belayer(s)!