The landing is flat pea gravel, for the crux, then you join into some part of the stand start off the adjacent pedestal boulder on the left. The setting is phenomenal: only boulder in the field, with a wild meadow backdrop. And the rock itself is hard, colorful, overhanging stone. With a quality, non-contrived line that goes right out the roof and to the top of the boulder. Stunning.
An obvious sit start under the right hand side, from the lowest, reasonable holds is a great right hand sidepull, a reasonable left hand undercling (sort of pinch). Traverse left through a matchable crimp before the obvious crux getting left into the good holds in the V2, then finish it.
There is crumbly moderate climbing to the left of the V2, which could be utilized for a poorer, but independent topout. While addng some challenge, it would not increase the rating or quality of the line.
Location
Take the Bear Canyon trail toward Seal Rock. After leaving the stream, and in the middle of a massive switchback, the Bongo Boulder sits in the middle of the field. The problem line is impossible to miss.
Protection
The landing when missing the crux move, or any move before, is safe even without a pad. Although pads would be nice. After the crux, you join the V2 from where falling is less recommended but not deadly.
I think it's time to start adding my $.02 to first ascent information at least as far as the bouldering around Boulder, Colorado goes. In my recent book Bouldering Colorado I left out first ascent notation, I could only imagine the response, had I added some of the history to a few of these, so called, new areas. In past books I tried to get and accurate historical perspective by reporting FA info. In more contemporary times, many new problems have been going in all over the state, and it can be difficult to keep up with the new wave. Routes I've heard of, and or have seen in other reports such as web guides, magazines or other guides seemed to have overlooked other past sources. Anyways the problems referred to here, on the Bongo Boulder I put up in the mid 1980s as well as a few other routes on its left side. I called it the Bongo Boulder after discovering it one winter while looking for cover when tromping through deep snow dumping that day, the south overhang, roof was completely dry and great cover from the elements. We used to call tromping through the snow, with your Sorels, or whatever boots, "Bongo Booting" hence the boulders name.
Why not enter this route as V7, the way Horan rated it? It can always be downgraded if you climb it and decide it's easier. I think it's V7 for sure. Also, check out the comments on the "Bongo V?" section for more stuff on ratings.
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