Grade: V16/8C+ (also suggested as: V15/8C)
Location: Rocklands, South Africa
First Ascent: Nalle Hukkataival (August 5, 2009)
Height: 8 meters (25 feet) – 24 moves
Table of Contents
The Moves
Livin’ Large is an iconic highball boulder problem towering at 8 meters in the Champagne sector of Rocklands, South Africa. The line follows a proud, featureless sandstone arête, where climbers navigate through 24 intricate moves. The climb demands precision, power, and nerve, especially in the crux sections.
The crux begins midway through the boulder with insecure, technical moves that lead to a dead-point reach—a committing move requiring a leap of faith toward the final jug. Success relies on perfectly dialed beta and an ability to maintain composure under the pressure of the highball’s height. As Nalle Hukkataival described, the complexity of the movement sets Livin’ Large apart from other boulders of similar difficulty.
Conquering Livin’ Large
First Ascent
In 2008, Nalle Hukkataival discovered Livin’ Large during a visit to the Champagne sector, but it wasn’t until the following year that he began projecting the intimidating arête. Given the climb’s height and difficulty, Hukkataival, who preferred not to use ropes for boulders, resorted to top-roping the problem to work out the beta for its 24 moves.
After five days of rehearsing on a rope, he switched to ground-up attempts with pads. Over several days, his progress climbed higher until he fell just shy of the top—first from two-thirds up the wall, then from the final move multiple times. These falls left him frustrated but determined, and he described the redpoint crux of the problem as one of the most testing of his career.
On the 12th day of his efforts, perfect conditions aligned. Despite a reduced number of pads and some fatigue, Nalle launched into the climb. After a challenging start and overcoming the crux, he stuck the final jug and completed the project, naming it Livin’ Large. He later reflected on its significance: “By far the hardest thing I’ve ever climbed… [It] took me more days than Jade took me tries.”
Second Ascent
For six years, Livin’ Large remained unrepeated, deterring even elite climbers like Adam Ondra. In 2015, Jimmy Webb set his sights on the problem and began rehearsing it on top rope with support from Hukkataival and Daniel Woods. Near the end of his trip, with limited time remaining, Webb made his final attempt in ideal early morning conditions. After flawlessly executing the lower and middle sections, he reached the final jug, claiming the problem’s long-awaited second ascent. Webb called Livin’ Large one of the hardest and most impressive climbs he had ever attempted.
Third Ascent
Shawn Raboutou made the third ascent, adding Livin’ Large to his growing list of accomplishments. At the time, Raboutou described it as the most difficult climb he had completed. This ascent further cemented Livin’ Large as a benchmark in highball bouldering and a testament to Hukkataival’s vision.
FAQs
Why is Livin’ Large considered so difficult?
The problem features 24 complex and insecure moves, including a dead-point crux near the top. The combination of technical precision and the intimidating height of 8 meters makes Livin’ Large a true test of skill and mental fortitude.
How high is Livin’ Large?
Livin’ Large is an 8-meter (25-foot) highball, adding a significant psychological challenge to its already difficult moves.
Who has climbed Livin’ Large?
The first ascent was made by Nalle Hukkataival in 2009, followed by Jimmy Webb in 2015 and Shawn Raboutou. All three climbers have described it as one of their hardest and most iconic climbs.