Ascension

Sebastian Schreiber on 'Close to the Edge' (5.11+), in Cascade Canyon, Durango.

.

Jaden McCleery Brown scaling 'Ancient Art' in Moab (5.10+),

and a rappel off of nearby Wilson Arch.

“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains. To behold this alone is worth the pains of any excursion a thousand times over.”

- John Muir

One of the camps on Mt. Shuksan, Washington, photographed the evening before Wade Hall and Sebastian Schreiber push for the summit via the Fischer Chimneys.

Just as photography is not about any one photo so much as it is about the struggle towards one, climbing for me has very little to do with any particular peaks or grades. I discovered the sport, which sometimes presents itself more as a life form, only a few years ago, but it is quite easy to see why so many people have dedicated their very existence to it. This classification of people, deemed a wide array of labels from ‘professional’ to ‘dirtbag,’ is one that I have often dreamt of joining someday.

Climbing connects us with the raw power of the natural world. Climbing forces us to not only endure hardship, but to thrive in it. Climbing teaches us how easy it can be to stop existing and start living. It is constant opportunity for connection, teamwork, and growth. It is a call to action, for things bigger than us. And it keeps me sane.

Texas crags are often overlooked by climbers out-of-state, but can certainly provide an engaging day out. The roof pictured above belongs to 'Pay at the Pump' (12d), an Austin classic. Pictured to the right is 'Ding Dongs and Taco Sauce' (11c/d), one of several granite roof cracks in Enchnated Rock State Park. Below are two images from 'Liposuction,' a limestone 12a located at Reimer's Ranch.

Luke Stockall is right at home jamming and locking into the granite splitters of Squamish, pictured here on 'Rainy Day Dream Away,' 5.10c.

.

Jessica Lucia approaching the Grand Teton, and Sebastian Schreiber descending from its summit.

.

The massively overhanging Namaste Walls of Kolab Canyon in Zion National Park are a great place to find cooler weather and longer runouts on a hot summer day.

.

Right: Noah Wyse clibing on the Vancouver sea cliffs.

Below: Adam Mortensen on final ridge traverse of Mt. Ogden's 'Gray Slabs.'

Jaden McCleery Brown takes a break from the Tour de Mont Blanc to hop on Frison-Rouche, a popular Chamonix multi-pitch.

.

Below Left: Sebastian Schreiber climbing Turtle Wall's 12a king line in St. George, Utah.

Below Right: Halie Schreiber celebrates her TR onsight of a sport route in Lamb's Knoll, Utah.

.

.

Above: Luke Stockall on a winter ascent of 'Star Chek,' British Columbia.

Right: Jaden McCleery Brown on a hard opening sequence in the Italian Alps.

Adam Mortensen climbing in Moab. On the left, a long exposure of his 'Campground Crack' ascent. On the right, a photo of him top-roping a random boulder flake, in front of the La Sal mountain range.