Nina Williams first woman to climb Too Big to Flail highball at Bishop

American climber Nina Williams is garnering a reputation for nerves of steel and hard highballs. Two years after making the first female ascent Ambrosia, the famous highball at the Buttermilks put up by Kevin Jorgeson in 2009, Williams now checks in with the first female ascent of the tallest highball of all, Too Big to Flail.

The 50-foot boulder problem in the Beehive area was established in 2012 by the ever-cool, calm and collected Alex Honnold and boasts a V10 crux at circa half-height. Williams unlocked the sequence last year on toprope, as per usual, and walked the line on March 18th. Hers is only the seventh ascent after Honnold, Lonnie Kauk (2013), Steven Roth (2014), Ethan Pringle (2014), Fabian Buhl (2017) and Nick Muehlhausen (2018).

View this post on Instagram

In 2012, @alexhonnold did the first ascent of a 50ft boulder in the Beehive area of the Buttermilks. @lonniekkauk did the second ascent in 2013 followed by @ethan_pringle and @_steven_roth in 2014, @fabi_buhl in 2017, and @rockninja_8a in 2018. Two days ago, on March 18th 2019, I climbed the lucky 7th ascent of Too Big To Flail (V10/5.13d). . I’m still processing the experience and will share a more complete story later. For now I am simply, joyously grateful. . @james_lucas, @oceangoingmonkey, and @simoore: you guys hiked out SO many pads and helped maintain the serene atmosphere I wanted for this climb. It wouldn’t have come together without your help. . To the Bishop locals who donated pads: @andyliu84, @hostelcaliforniabishop, @katielambert, @benjaminditto, and the Zoo. You guys rock. I thankfully didn’t end up needing them but they sure were nice . And shoutout to @climberchica for the belay on last years’ trip when all the beta fell into place. It was a highlight of this whole journey. . The endeavor of working and climbing Too Big really does take a village, and I appreciate everyone’s help from the bottom of my heart Thank you thank you thank you. . @oceangoingmonkey and @simoore #climbing #bouldering ? #highball #payahuunadü #Buttermilks

A post shared by Nina Williams (@sheneenagins) on Mar 20, 2019 at 9:47am PDT