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Zion - USA Zion is a kingdom of sandstone crack climbing. It's alpine nature and beauty can't be described fully by words. One has to go there to experience firsthand the changing colors of the mountains as the sun sets, the California Condors soaring on thermals overhead . . .  I was super lucky to be with Chole Roux and Corbin Usinger. Together we climbed Monkey Finger, Shune's Buttress and Moonlight Buttress. I never would have been able to climb these routes without these two. Times like these make me thankful for how lucky I am to have crusher friends! Mark Ferguson on Lap Dance  Virgin River   Namaste Wall, Kolob Canyon    Moonlight Buttress  Moonlight  Moonlight  Corb laying the mack down Chloe crushin

Yosemite Valley - USA -  El Capitan - Bigger than you think  Indian Face Camp Ground Stoner's Highway - 5.10 R - Middle Cathedral This is a terrible butt shot but it was one of the most memorable days in the valley. Sharr started off by taking a 10-15 foot ground fall on the first pitch. His partner Alex courageously maneuvered to catch Sharr and break his fall. They both went crashing down onto the ground.  Sharr and Alex got up, dusted themselves off and climbed on. I also watched Alex take a fifteen footer while making the last moves before the belay half way up the route.It was an exciting day on a route with a lot of character.  Thankful for this life . . . Looking west from the base of the Sentinel  Ian Siadak on New Dimensions Havard following the slab face on Steck-Salathe. This was a great day on a classic climb.  Seb getting ready to send Freerider . . . Seb is another inspiring person to climb with. ...

Another trip to the Diamond! This time for two climbing days. D7 and Black Dagger: Every since reading issue 19 of Alpinist and seeing Timmy O'Neill awkwardly stemming his way up the chimney pitch of Black Dagger, I knew one day I wanted to climb this route. The chimney that forms the "black dagger" is practically visible from I-25. D7 was always very motivating because it is one of the most striking lines on the diamond, following a single crack from bottom to top. Here are some shots from the two day voyage:

Back in the valley for a visit to Spearhead, this time to try and climb a slightly more difficult route than last time. All too Obvious, 5.11 R is a beautiful line that goes more or less up the middle of the wall. The route weaves in and out of crack systems with technical face climbing, sometimes a little bit run-out but never dangerous. One could compare the style of the climbing to Middle Cathedral in Yosemite Valley, the route Stoner's Highway comes to mind. My partner Mark Ferguson and I planned on staying up at the bivouac site for two nights. A quick stop at the backcountry office at the park entrance to collect the permit and we are off on the 2+ hour trek it takes to reach the wall. Gorgeous weather welcomed us into the valley as we began our afternoon approach but as is common in the alpine the afternoon gave way to threatening clouds. Hiking into an area you must go into the experience with a "no expectations" attitude. Rain, lightning, altitude sickness are ...