The Spires of Yosemite

Higher and Lower Cathedral Spires aren't well known to non climbers. They are positioned in a canyon obscured by their large neighbor Middle Cathedral Rock, shown on the right side of the picture. Furthermore, El Capitan is positioned opposite these features and generally commands more attention. Most mountains have a back side that can be walked up while spires must be climbed to reach their summits. This inspired Bestor Robinson, Richard Leonard and Jules Eichorn to make the first ascent back in 1934. If you find yourself on the summit of Higher Cathedral Spire, you will be treated to a truly unique and beautiful view of Yosemite Valley in a place where no flatlander has travelled.

The Decent Off South Howser Tower

These unknown climbers are returning from climbing the Beckey Chouinard route on South Howser Tower. It took us a flight to Seattle, a 14 hour drive to the Bugaboos, a 5 hour hike through bear country to base camp, an challenging ascent up a steep col, and hours of glacier traversing just to get to the point where the picture was taken. From this location it would take an additional two hours to reach the base of the route, about 10 hours to climb the route and 2 hours to get back to the point where the photo is taken. Canada is a great big country with great big climbs that require great effort just to get to!

The North East Ridge of Bugaboo Spire

Kaare Iverson is pictured here traversing the breathtaking ridge line of Bugaboo Spire located in The Bugaboos, Canada. This spectacular route is considered one of the 50 best climbs in North America and for good reason. It is truly incredible from start to finish.

Eichhorn’s Pinnacle

Many times climbs will get more stars attached to their rating to denote their “classicness". This typically means the climb is sustained, has poor protection possibilities, is otherwise unique or some combination of the three. For me the day that this shot was taken was a five star day. The climb was not that challenging nor hard to protect. However, I did have a once in a lifetime opportunity to share a multi pitch climbing area with nine of my close friends. The pinnacle is named after Jules Eichorn who first climbed it in 1931. It remains a classic to this day.

Sunset Over the Evolution Valley

This adventure was hatched in honor of a friend come and gone who asked if I would join the expedition team in tackling the hardest ridge traverse in the Sierras, the Evolution Traverse. Though honored to be asked to join the team, I didn't feel that I was strong enough for the mission. A week after asking me to join the climb, my friend perished in a climbing accident. I took it upon myself to take on the mission in my friend’s honor. It took much planning, a full day of hiking in and two days of climbing to reach the point of where this shot was taken. My climbing partner and I had gone days with minimal water on the ridge line and made it to Mt. Darwin before being forced off through foul weather and sheer exhaustion. Through luck we found a relatively quick way down to the valley. This shot symbolizes the incredible beauty and power to be found deep in the mountains of California.