zoom_in Click to enlarge

Checkerboard

▲ ▼

description Checkerboard Overview

Checkerboard is a tall V7 or V8 boulder problem in California's Buttermilks, first climbed by Chris Sharma on the Checkerboard Boulder.

help Checkerboard FAQ

What grade is Checkerboard in the Buttermilks?

Checkerboard is commonly listed around V7 or V8. The grade can vary between guidebooks and climbers because boulder grades are partly based on local comparison and conditions.

Who first climbed Checkerboard?

Chris Sharma made the first ascent. The problem is located on the Checkerboard Boulder in California's Buttermilks.

Is Checkerboard a roped climbing route?

No. It is a tall boulder problem, so climbers normally use crash pads and spotters rather than climbing ropes and traditional protection. Its height makes the landing setup especially important.

Why do climbers describe Checkerboard as a serious boulder problem?

Its combination of height, difficulty around V7 or V8, and the exposed setting makes it more committing than a low boulder. The problem's location in the Buttermilks also places it within one of California's best-known bouldering areas.

swap_horiz

Looking for Checkerboard alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward