How To: Giant Gear-Ripping Whipper
I recently dusted off some terrabytes and found some old classics. In this new How To exclusive, Laban Swafford demonstrates the proper way to take a Giant Gear-Ripping Whipper. Step 1: Find a big, bad-ass route in North Carolina that has yet to be freed. (Wear your hard hat for safety of course) [...]
Storming Castles [part 2 - the sequel]
This is part 2. Check out part 1. See Rock and Ice Issue 195 for the full feature on Sierra adventures. It seems that for every backcountry objective ticked off in the Sierra, a dozen more pop up. The entire range is filled with unimaginable amounts of fresh granite beckoning the adventurous climber. The [...]
Rock & Ice Cover
Psyched to have the cover and a feature article in the current issue of Rock & Ice. That really is legit beta, folks. Summer in the Sierra is about as good as it gets. Pick up an issue at your local retailer.
storming castles
See Rock and Ice Issue 195 for the full feature on Sierra adventures. Two days into our supposed one day approach, near the summit of Mt. Whitney, things were getting grim. It wasn’t really one thing that was causing discomfort, but more of a combination of many minor and not so minor issues. The [...]
Backcountry Motivation
‘Tis (almost) the season for backcountry climbing. Warm air is slowly making its way into the mountains while thoughts of remote f.a.’s and the associated logistics slowly creep their way into my mind. The Sierra have so many options it seems the hardest part is narrowing it down to just one. Last year Josh Finkelstein [...]
Beach Bouldering in Florida?
If Tiger Woods was a rock climber, his estate on Jupiter Island would be basecamp for the only bouldering in Florida. 80 miles north of Miami lies a pocket of beach-front land saved from development by the hard working people of The Nature Conservancy. This land, Blowing Rocks Preserve, is also home to a great [...]
Storming Castles
Two days into a supposed one day approach, near the summit of Mt. Whitney, things were getting grim. It wasn’t really one thing that was causing discomfort, but more of a combination of many minor and not so minor issues. The 70 pound packs didn’t help. Nor did the 12 mile approach up and over [...]
New Online Catalog
The High Exposures image database is now online and fully searchable – no small feat. All images on the site are available electronically or as prints. The catalog contains many images not found in the regular portfolio section of the site, and more are consistently being added. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Get in [...]
T-Wall Guidebook
I’ve got a few shot’s in Rob Robinson new(ish) full color guidebook to the Tennessee Wall. The book was released earlier this year. Trad, sport, 5.5 or 5.12 – the T-Wall has it all… well, except for slabs. Get your copy at southernsandstonepublishing.com or at Vertical Ventures.
Stone Fort Guidebook – Just in time for Rocktober
I’m psyched to have the cover shot on THE most highly anticipated bouldering guidebook of the century. Andy at Greener Grass publishing has announced that copies of the Stone Fort Bouldering Guide will be available in October. The book looks great. You can pre-order yours for $19.99 at greenergrasspublishing.com, or better yet – support your [...]
Sierra Preview
What more can one want from California’s Sierra? Giant white castles, plentiful trout, easy travel and first ascent opportunities abound in this place. Below is just a preview of more good stuff to come. The ‘Range of Light’ does not disappoint…
One From Memorial Day
Got out to Egmont Key to shoot a sunset piece over the holiday weekend. Birds were everywhere, and the weather was even nice enough to build a few clouds for the shot.
Rain in the Desert aka The Experience of Being There…
We often hear about the latest 5.TEEN or V-TEEN crushed by some ‘hard person’ from a magical land full of the best rock, the best routes and the best climbers. Flip the page or click next and then you get to read about someone doing it FASTER or in less tries or with only one [...]
Tampa Area Buildering Guide
Are you a rock climber stuck in Florida? Are you in desperate need of vertical terrain to challenge your bluff scaling needs? Look no further because here’s your holy grail:
Vertical Ventures A.B.S. Competition
I shot over 4000 stills at Vertical Ventures‘ Halloween Bouldering Competition. Check the video below… Music: ‘Turn Me Loose’ by Madcon
Egmont Video
The crew headed to Egmont to enjoy the first cold front of the season. Video pieced together from over 800 stills.
Tampa Bay Area Online Buildering Guide
Much thanks to Ard over at buildering.net for pioneering the groundwork necessary for this online guide. Check it out: Bay Area Buildering Guide.
Paradise
Egmont Key – Fort Desoto’s hot sister, is home to not only thousands of nesting shore birds, but also some of Florida’s finest bouldering. Battery Bigelow at Fort Dade on Egmont Key was destroyed by hurricanes in 1932 leaving behind gently overhung walls right at the waters edge. While its no Virgin Gorda, the beach [...]
Storming the fort.
Climbing is where you find it. Some people have marvelous crags a mere stone’s throw from their homes, while others (namely us Floridians) may not be so fortunate. Those not blessed with the presence of rocks nearby have taken to the streets in search of human creations upon which to feed their hunger. Skyscrapers, freeway [...]
Incredible…
What more can be said about California’s Sierra range? The place has it all. From damn near perfect weather and solid granite to pristine wilderness and amazing light shows every morning and evening.
Luchador Escalado
Deep in the desert of the American Southwest, as late night campfires slowly dwindle to piles of glowing embers, legends are told of a mystical creature with bright plumage and strong claws. Few storytellers have encountered the creature, but they know well the amazing capabilities it possesses. Able to subsist on most any type of [...]
