For nearly a decade now, climbing has been a critical component of my life. It has taken me to far-away places, and I have met so many unique and driven individuals through it. Like many sports, it is the physical challenge and the mental discipline that first enamored me, but the comradery and close-knit community has kept me coming back.
Jack trying to clip the crux move on a 5.13 in the Wild Iris, Wyoming. He got oh-so-close…
Yessie sneaks her way up The Crescent’s slab section in Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Arkansas.
Jackson receives fistbumps from the crew after sending Warbonnet for the first time, at Horseshoe Canyon, Arkansas.
Michaela twists into the first move of DDD in Hueco Tanks, El Paso.
Jack tries to match up climbs to the guidebook at The Monastery in Colorado. In the background, the slab for Tabula Rasa (5.10C) rises over the valley.
A lone man looks up at Half Dome at sunset in Yosemite, California.
Carson rests his eyes after a tiring trek up to the top of El Cap, with our destination - Half Dome - still in the distance, in Yosemite, California.
The crew feels out the moves to Off the Rails in Cowell, Arkansas.
A girl reads her route before climbing in the JCCA Youth Rope competition in Plano, Texas.
A girl is hugged by her teammates after failing to top her last rope route during a JCCA Youth competition in Plano, Texas.
Trent entertains the crew with kickflips while waiting at the break of dawn to get access to North Mountain at Hueco Tanks in El Paso, Texas.
Noah secures a surprise send of Grand Dragon in Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Arkansas.
Logan eyes the final move to the top of Free Willy in Hueco, El Paso. The sunglasses weren’t just for style - the sun was directly above the finish hold.
Racing the sun to get off of North Mountain at Hueco Tanks before sunset.
Nathaniel Coleman finds the stacked knee-bar finish on Men’s #3 in the boulder finals of the 2023 U.S. National Climbing team tryouts in Austin.
Sean Bailey smiles after controlling the start to Men’s #4 with a sneaky toe-hook beta, in the boulder finals of the U.S. National Climbing team tryouts
Zach Galla climbs the Men’s Finals sport route during the 2023 USA National Climbing team tryouts in Austin.
Members of the Risen Rock youth climbing team warm-up together before the second session of the JCCA Finals bouldering competition in Carrollton, in 2023.
A young girl watches a young boy climb during the JCCA Youth Finals bouldering competition in Carrollton in 2023.
A young girl eyes the next hold during the JCCA Youth Finals bouldering competition in Carrollton in 2023.
A young girl moves off the start hold of a climb during the JCCA Youth Finals bouldering competition in Carrollton in 2023.
A young boy grimaces in effort as he sticks the move out of the crux sequence on a climb during the JCCA Youth Finals bouldering competition in Carrollton in 2023.
Two young competitors go over beta for a route during a JCCA Youth rope climbing competition in Dallas, 2022.
Spectators watch as a young girl chalks up, halfway up her route, during the JCCA Youth rope competition in Plano in 2022.
A young girl dynos to a hold during the JCCA Youth bouldering competition in Carrollton in 2022.
Young competitors watch as a boy reaches for the final hold of a route during the JCCA Youth Finals bouldering competition in Carrollton, in 2023.
A young girl carefully maneuvers across volumes on a climb during the JCCA Youth Finals bouldering competition in Carrollton in 2023.
Jack eyes the next hold on Grand Dragon in HCR, Arkansas in 2022.
Noah checks his mirrors as the crew departs from North Mountain in Hueco Tanks, El Paso in 2023.
Logan grimaces as he moves into the crux section of Off the Rails in Cowell, Arkansas.
Megan works the tricky heel-hook start to Animal Acts on West Mountain in Hueco Tanks, El Paso in 2023.
The crew compares battle scars. Shredded skin, blood blisters, and flappers are all just part of the experience.
The secret to sending double digits: sugar, and lots of it
Departing North Mountain in Hueco Tanks, El Paso in 2023.