Dominator | 8A+ Boulder problem at the Camp 4 Boulders

United States / California / Mariposa County

Quick Info

Grade 8A+
Type Boulder problem
Crag Camp 4 Boulders
Country United States šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø
Rock type Granite
History
First ascent Jerry Moffatt (1993)
Recorded repeats 8

Quick Info

Grade 8A+
Type Boulder problem
Crag Camp 4 Boulders
Country United States šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø
Rock type Granite
History
First ascent Jerry Moffatt (1993)
Recorded repeats 8
See also Dominated.

Originally climbed by pinching the right hand starting hold and making a powerful move to the first crimp and given 8B with this sequence. Subsequently the beta has improved and now involves guppying the starting right hand hold and using a left heel to make the first move static.

Contributors
65 contributions since 6th May 2021.
9 contributions since 2nd September 2025.
6 contributions since 12th May 2026.

Pics + Vids

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Ascents

9 successful ascents recorded.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
First ascent.

I went on a strict diet for about a week. Salads only. As a pure power problem, I didn’t need any stamina, so didn’t need any carbohydrates in my body at all. I could do it if I felt dizzy, so I cut out almost all food. This wasn’t hard. I was keen to lose the weight to give me the edge on that first move and I was so excited about doing it that I could hardly eat anyway. [1]

References

[1] Revelations (2010)

[2] https://www.facebook.com/climbing.in.the.80s/photos/a.270388289694020/421353737930807

Second ascent.

'I spent six hours on the one move, before finally realising it and yet I am still unaware of what I had done differently to all my previous attempts. Six hours over three days over three weeks. What really happened during this period?'(2)

References

[1] On The Edge Issue 99, page 73

[2] Ed Douglas, ā€˜Statement: The Ben Moon Story’, Vertebrate Publishing, 2015

Third ascent.

Controversially, Fred dabbed his spotter on his ascent.

Fourth ascent.

In June!

I can’t say the crux of The Dominator is the most difficult move I’ve ever done, but it’s certainly required the most patience. Sticking with the original method was a conscious decision made years ago in an effort to better appreciate an important step in the progression of bouldering. What Jerry accomplished in 1993, with this move, was a big step forward. I’ve given this move more attempts than any other in my nearly 20 years of climbing. Easily over 1000 tries. I could have switched to the newer heel hook method and been done in a day, but I resolved to take the long road. Now, having finally arrived on the other side of a long battle, I can honestly say that this move taught me more about how to move proficiently as a climber than anything else I’ve encountered. In the age of the ā€œquick sendā€ it’s important to find opportunities for abiding effort, especially when the result is modest on paper. Therein lies growth.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CJUI7cqMREY/

[2] https://youtu.be/RolMVOvwPmA?t=1521

First female ascent.