HIPPYTREE / FIRST ASCENT OF YAYALI

HIPPYTREE / FIRST ASCENT OF YAYALI drops you into California’s Cosumnes River Gorge—“Yosemite’s little sister”—as Jimmy Webb hunts down a striking riverside arete with a rare gift for bouldering: a perfect landing beneath an intimidating line. Over a few focused days, the project sharpens from curiosity into obsession, culminating in the first ascent of Yayali (V14), named after a mythical beast from the Miwok people who first called this region home. It’s worth watching for the pure, distilled arc of a hard send: the scouting, the incremental progress, the tension between power and precision, and the quiet moments where the gorge’s water and stone set the rhythm. Kevin Takashi Smith’s filming and editing keep it tight and immersive, letting you feel the scale of the feature and the razor-thin margins at the limit—an ideal quick hit of high-end bouldering that leaves you wanting one more attempt.

HippyTree · 3:01

Cosumnes River Gorge is sometimes referred to as Yosemite’s little sister. Tribesman Jimmy Webb recently took a trip to the watery basin and discovered a stunning arete towering over the Cosumnes River with a perfect landing. After a few days of attempts, Jimmy successfully completed the first ascent of Yayali (V14). The climb was named Yayali who was considered a mythical beast to the Miwok people who originally inhabited the region. Filmed and edited by Kevin Takashi Smith.