Stories

City of Rocks National Reserve

In between lots of field work in Alaska, the Winds, and City of Rocks in Idaho this summer I managed to sneak a few climbs in. Here are some stories:

Cirque of the Towers Traverse

“This knowledge isn’t coming from a sense of invincibility or delusion, but a sharp and clear rationality born from extreme stress. You know that without any doubt that given your body position and the forces at play, that you will not fall. And you move from one of these positions to the next, testing and confirming that each new hand or foot feels this way before releasing the other.”

Cirque of the Towers from Block Tower

Black Ice Couloir

“And the sensation, the all-consuming feeling, isn’t fear or anxiety or pain or exhilaration or anything at all, really. It’s just focus. There isn’t space in your brain for anything else.”

Mid-route on the Black Ice Couloir

Heading to Patagonia for some NOLS work and climbing in a few days — peace!


2 responses to “Stories”

  1. Jonathan Jones Avatar
    Jonathan Jones

    I’ just normal, but you’re getting there.

  2. Beth Gipson Avatar
    Beth Gipson

    You are string and amazing riley. Love you sweet cousin

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