In a stunning display of technical mastery, American professional climber Keenan Takahashi has successfully sent The Dark Side, a V16 (8C+) testpiece in Yosemite National Park. This ascent solidifies the problem's status as one of North America’s premier hard boulders and marks another major milestone in Takahashi's career.
The Problem: "The Dark Side"
Located on the famous Thriller Boulder in the historic Camp 4, The Dark Side was established by Carlo Traversi in December 2023 after a seven-year battle. It is described as one of the most technical granite boulders in the world.
The line begins on a deceptive jug rail before transitioning immediately into a series of excruciatingly bad crimps and a distinctive "crystal" hold that splits fingertips. The crux involves a precise sequence of tension-dependent moves, leading into a technical sloper rail that Traversi famously compared to "hangboarding on a Beastmaker 45-degree sloper."
The Ascent
Keenan Takahashi’s success on the line makes him only the third person to top the boulder, following Traversi and British climber Aidan Roberts (who made the second ascent in January 2025). Notably, Takahashi's ascent was followed shortly by Katie Lamb, who made history by becoming the first woman to climb V16 with her fourth ascent of the line.
For Takahashi, this is his second boulder of the grade, following his ascent of Insomniac (V16) in Colorado in 2023. Known for his highball boldness and dynamic power, this climb required him to switch gears into pure, microscopic precision.
— Keenan Takahashi (immediately after topping out)
In the footage released by Mellow, an emotional Takahashi is seen in disbelief after latching the final hold, repeating "I climbed so well" as the realization of the achievement sinks in. It is a rare moment of vulnerability that highlights the immense mental pressure of projecting at the absolute limit.
Watch the Footage
The ascent was documented in the film "ANTIGRAV presents: Keenan Takahashi vs. The Dark Side," released in February 2026. The video offers a raw look at the process, featuring support from fellow crushers Aidan Roberts and Katie Lamb.
Note: While the video was released in February 2026, the actual ascent took place during the early 2025 season, fitting between the ascents of Aidan Roberts and Katie Lamb.
