Originally established by Dave Graham as Jaws (5.14d), Jaws II climbs up a steeply overhanging schist wall in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The route became a project again when several important holds broke, significantly raising the difficulty of the climb. New Hampshire-based climber Vasya Vorotnikov made the first ascent in 2007, renaming it Jaws II and proposing a grade of 5.15a, the hardest yet given to any route in the eastern US.
Woods, 21, looked close to sending Jaws II during the Nor'easter pro rally, falling only two or three times on some attempts. He spent a total of three days working the route before successfully climbing it on Monday.
On his , Woods confirmed the route's grade as 5.15a and called it a “hard route to grade and very specialized.”
We recently caught up with Daniel Woods at the Nor'easter climbing festival and competition. Check out the interview .
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Photo Credit: Daniel Woods on Jaws II, Adam Roy