Back in 2020, sickness gripped the world with vengeance, snuffing out hopes and dreams, including the revival of the Master’s Series. A teeny, tiny, invisible little virus reduced The Boulder Field to an empty warehouse, full of dusty holds and vacant walls. Even a modest gathering of climbers within closed quarters would have almost certainly guaranteed a superspreader. So, we waited.

Two years later on January 21, 2023, the Greatest Flasher, the first competition of the Master’s Series, came back and did not disappoint. Hundreds of climbers rallied, arriving in droves that pushed long lines out the door as staff struggled to keep up with their incessant flow.

The morning and afternoon came and went with lots of sends and smiles. It was great to see the diversity of participants, with climbers of all ages and abilities coming out to show their skills. Having a format that emphasizes the first try made for a unique and challenging experience for all competitors.

Amidst the free-for-all, a longtime member, Duo, came up to me. He only ever comes over if he has something meaningful to say, so I paid attention. He told me that the format was like nothing he had ever experienced. He told me that he needed to engage, flip the switch, and focus inward in the same way that one might channel that high octane energy during an onsight attempt outside or a final go on their most cherished project. He realized that this format served as a type of training for engaging the engine that drives us all to the top. 

With the conclusion of the citizen’s round, we turned the lights out and the spotlights on. Cheers and jeers and a smattering of beer and pizza wafted through the building and around the yet to be climbed finals problems as the pros warmed up their spring loaded muscles and tendons on the spray wall. 

Within the women’s final round, Brooke Raboutou put on quite a show while the rest of the women, Ashley Fisher, Lily Gurdison, and Moxie Hovorka, climbed incredibly well, tried hard, and added another layer of experience under the limelight. 

Within the men’s final round, Ross Fulkerson climbed with authority, but couldn’t quite keep it together in the final minutes of the round.

“Only having a single attempt per boulder fully illuminated my comp processes and completely reinforced how important it is to stay present for each and every move. Ended up ticking off 18 of the 20 total boulders, but two momentary lapses in finals cost me the win,” wrote Fulkerson. 

Joe took the victory with two quick, seemingly effortless, floaty sends and flashed his signature flex to the crowd, the infallible king of Sactown once again. 

“The comp was winding down, but I still had two routes to go and only five minutes left on the clock. So I had to go fast,” Diaz wrote. “Everything I climbed had super fun, unique and exciting movement, exactly what I look for in a good competition!”

And so it goes, just as quickly as the walls were stripped, they were reset for the masses, and then stripped again, back into the shadows of the holds room to be washed and released anew for the young and the old, and for those somewhere in the middle still striving to infinity. 

Yes, comps can be stressful. Time constraints. Rules. Judges. Pressure. Crowds. Eyes always watching, watching, watching. But for those that decide to slay that mighty beast ensnared by failure and fear, the prize is much more than a crash pad or a chalk bag, it’s a deeper, everlasting understanding of movement and oneself as a climber. And it’s fun! 

by Dave Wetmore