"Here's another shot of him...just before he ripped the pitch from the crux (still well above him in this photo) and nearly wiped out Lydia (aka the Pocket Russian) belaying at the base. Rick walked away."

"So here's the start of Rick's 40 foot tour, Lydia on belay. Note the Hammer of Justice t-shirt that seemed to be his trademark for some time...nice swami, too." Photo/Description by: Mini

The first lead attempt on Phd, 5.12a was made in 1988-89 by R. Piggot where he took a 40' ground fall after ripping some protection. He walked away from this screamer.

"From here is where he ripped the FIRST time, this time, setting up for drilling.

After taking a near 40' grounder and walking away R. Piggot, keeping to ground-up ethics, hung out on a hook to drill two bolts to protect the upper crux section. Photo/Title by: Mini

Most popularly top roped, a lead was attempted on this impressive flake/face in 1988/89. With L.Pankiher (aka "the pocket Russian") belaying below, R. Piggot blew off the crux high up on the route, ripping out his gear and grounding, nearly taking out his belayer! Rick miraculouly walked away from this fall and was soon back up on the route hanging off hooks to drill two bolts for the upper section. Story and Photo: BVB collection / L.Pankiher

An incredible Woodson offwidth roof! BVB..."That be me, burning my one and only solo lap on that thing. Scaaaaary. To my knowledge, Tom Lindner and Piggot are the only two guys who've done it straight-in as an offwidth. That is to say, they're the only two guys who've lead it. If you undercling it, you're either tr'ing or soloing..... Photo: Brian Bailychrome

In 1986 BVB, in a determined effort to climb all of Woodson's testpieces, meticulously recreates each problem including move by move sequences and key hand and foot placements.

Description: Another legendary California mystery hardman from the 70's and 80's, Rick's gig was soloing Woodson 5.12's and El Cap spook routes. Here's Rick leading the massive Undertow Roof at Mt. Woodson, circa mid 80's. Like many Woodson rarities and obscurities, it's likely this route has not seen a chalk mark in 15 years.

Anonymous hardman (aka bvb), in full mid-70's hairfarmer mode, hiking an obscure V6 Woodson highball, circa 1978. But enough about the route and the burly skill clearly in evidence...let's check out those threads! for today's bouldering outfit, our hero, clearly willing to take the most outrageous fashion risks, will be sporting a pair of Haines long underwear, neatly paired with a "tighty whitey" wifebeater tank top and cleverly accesorized with a pair of dainty powder blue corduroy shorts. grey sweat socks provide a firm anchor for the loose cuffs of the long undies, ensuring they don't ride up on those big woodson high step moves -- an often feared fashion faux pas to be avoided at all costs. rounding out today's sporting ensemble will be a length of green 2" tubular webbing, cleverly color coordinated with bob's green RR's (at the time, one of the few available alternatives to eb's) and a home-made chalkbag supported by a $2.35 cent eiger oval beaner looped through the webbing. yes ladies and gentlemen, fashion-forward style sense like this comes along once in a generation...thank god...

This deceivingly difficult seam splits another Woodson "miniature".

A must do on Mt. Woodson's crack circuit!

"...just got my new scanner working....here's a few chestnuts for ya'll...my move topo for vice principles office, plus the notes from that days' climbing..." (BVB, supertopo.com)

Look for a trail that branches left (west), immediately off the trail that drops down on the left side of the Phd boulder. Descend and traverse back west along the slope following the least path of resistance. This will drop you on top of the Undertow boulder. A two bolt anchor is visible.

Greg climbing Out of Sight Crack