David Fitzgerald has made the third ascent of Big Z, 8C+, in Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada Mountains, USA.

The boulder was first climbed by Shawn Raboutou in 2020, and demands a series of technical bicycles from the climbers feet, whilst providing little more than thin seams for their fingers.

The line traverses from left to right across a steep overhanging face, passing narrowly above a boulder that is too close to pad without risking interference with the climb, before reaching an arete and heading up easier ground.

It took more than three years for the boulder to receive a repeat, with Matt Fultz the somewhat unlikely second ascensionist, climbing the boulder just over two months ago after more than thirty sessions, having initially begun projecting the boulder specifically because it allowed him to work his weaknesses.

Upon completing it, he referred to it as 'the hardest problem I have ever done without a doubt', saying 'this is the first time I truly understand the concept of a problem being bigger and more meaningful than just the number attached to it'.

Whilst Big Z was Raboutou's third boulder at the grade, and Fultz' eighth, it is Fitzgerald's first ascent at the grade. Fitzgerald first climbed 8C in 2022, and made a rare ascent of Lucid Dreaming (V15) earlier this year. 

Speaking about the ascent on social media, Fitzgerald said:

'Finding it hard to wrap my head around this one. An intricate sequence that feels levels above anything I've strung together before'.

'I first tried back in 2021 and although I took many long breaks away from the boulder, the spells of effort I gave over the years were intense. By far my longest chapter to-date. A chapter that sparked so much drive and reason to improve, that closing it now feels both surreal and bittersweet in a way'.

'Thinking back fondly on all the days I drove up there, either to meet up with good friends or just to be alone with my own evolving thoughts, in all seasons and all types of weather. The same birds chirping, the same mice visiting. A mission that truly gave back as much energy as it took'.

'I'll miss the ritual and headspace this one gave me, but also feeling fueled up to carry the lessons and new perspectives forward. The ceiling just feels that little bit higher after all of this'.

'Thank you for the inspiration Shawn Raboutou, and grateful to everyone I shared sessions with and who offered encouragement over the years!'

Check out the video below to see Raboutou's first ascent of the boulder, as well as some of the finest spotting around from Jimmy Webb.