Following her ascent of Raven Tors legendary testpiece route Mecca (8b+) [Note: for a report and Nick Browns excellent photos see Climb Issue 93 out on October 11th) Mina Leslie-Wujastyk has returned to the boulders with avengence. On a tour of the States she returned to the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado scene of her previous hardest boulder Mind Matters (8A+). This time she set he sights on Tetris, a prow climbed by compression moves established earlier this year by Dave Graham in the Wild Basin area and given 8B (subsequent ascentionists have suggested hard 8A+). 

Mina Leslie-Wujastyk on Tetris. Copyright Jackie Hueftle

Despite twisting an ankle early in her trip, and slipping repeatedly from the huge reaches of Tetriss top moves Mina eventually managed her hardest boulder to date and the first female ascent. Her boyfriend David Mason who also climbed the prow commented "It was an amazing effort, Tetris is a power endurance compression beast, not your average "girl" problem!"

We caught up with Mina to ask her a couple of quick questions about her ascent.

You twisted your ankle recently - is it still painful and did it effect how you climbed tetris?

My ankle is still pretty sore but the swelling has gone down a lot, leaving some bruising. It didnt change how I climbed Tetris except that I climbed with it taped for support and with a good spot. I have injured my ankle numerous times in the past so I am quite good at carrying on! It is good enough to walk on with only some discomfort so it isnt that bad.

Tetris was originally given 8B, what was your thought on the grade, is it your hardest so far?

Tetris is a fairly new problem and, as is often the case with new lines, there is some disparity regarding the grade. It was originally given 8B by David Graham with some subsequent climbers suggesting 8A+ and some agreeing with 8B. I dont have much experience at this grade, but in my opinion, based on the experience I do have, I would suggest hard 8A+ as opposed to 8B. I also climbed the problem with a different sequence to Dave Graham, perhaps I found a path of less resistance? This is definitely my hardest problem so far :)

Where are you headed next?

We have a cold weekend ahead in RMNP and then, weather dependent, we will head to Joes Valley sometime next week.

Look out for a full interview with Mina in issue 95 of Climb. In the mean time you can see David Masons video of her ascent here.

Mina is sponsored by Arcteryx, Five Ten Optimum Nutrition, The BMC, Eliment Chiropratic Clinic and Beta Climbing Designs.