There is nothing better than inspiration. My most magnificent memories are those in which I’ve found purpose, drive, motivation and challenge. When you’re inspired by a climb these elements come together on the present plane of mind and body, the now. Climbing is always progressing, always evolving, always meeting you at your exact challenge level. It inspires me, makes me a healthier person and drives me to become better.
I grew up on the shores of Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra Nevada mountains. My childhood was full of activity - ski racing, water skiing, running, hiking, soccer etc. I found my love for climbing at a very young age but had no source of knowledge beyond the aspen trees of my parents yard, and the boulders along the shoreline. In 2008 I moved to New Hampshire to attend boarding school where I joined the school climbing team, opening the doors to the world of climbing.
I moved to Granada, Spain at age 19 where I lived for a year before moving to Vancouver for University. Throughout University I focused my free time on developing trad climbing skills on the multi-pitch faces of the Squamish Chief. The exposure and technicalities of Squamish’s unique rock inspired me to make ascents of classic traditional lines such as The Shadow, 13a, and Edge of Pan, 13b R. I also have done various first ascents across BC, Patagonia, and California.
I also love the freedom of scrambling in the mountains which has led me to free solos such as Saint-Exupéry’s Chiaro Di Luna, 11a, 750m in Patagonia and Slesse Mountain’s 25 pitch North Rib, 5.9, 1,000 m.
Other noteworthy climbs:
The Muir Wall via The Shaft 13c VI (Free*) El [...]
Jeremy Jones is widely regarded as one of the best big mountain snowboarders in the world. Ten times voted “Best Big Mountain Rider of the Year” by Snowboarder Magazine and starring in over fifty snowboard movies worldwide, including the award winning 2012's "Further" 2010’s “Deeper”. Jeremy was featured in both The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times in 2013 as well as being a National Geographic "Adventurer of the Year" nominee. ESPN ranked him #12 in their "50 Most Influential People in Action Sports".
Jeremy is the founder and CEO of Jones Snowboards and also founded Protect Our Winters – a non-profit formed to unite the winter sports community against climate change.
Jeremy has appeared frequently in worldwide media including CNN, Outside Magazine and TV, Men's Journal, ESPN, Fox News, NBC, MTV and National Geographic.
FOLLOW ME DOWN (feature documentary) from Ross Cairns on Vimeo.
Heidi Wirtz, aka "Heidi Almighty", is one of the country’s few premier female adventure climbers. She has been climbing for over twenty years letting her passion for adventure and exploration lead her to places such as Nepal, Morocco, Jordan, Siberia, Tasmania, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Pakistan, South America, Canada (just to name a few) where she has pioneered new routes up unclimbed big walls and mountains and pushed the limits of female exploration. She is known in the United Sates as "Heidi Almighty" for her bold and technical climbing as well as for her speed ascents in Yosemite Valley.
Heidi is also well known for her philanthropic work as well as for her passion for yoga. She is co-founder of Girls Education International (GEI), an organization that helps bring education to women and girls in under served areas throughout the world. Heidi is also co-founder of Earth Play Retreat, an adventure/yoga retreat service that empowers people to find their true potential and build a deeper more meaningful relationship with nature and others.
To join Heidi on an adventure or to find out more about GEI visit: www.earthplayretreats.com & www.girlsed.org
Emily Harrington is a professional rock climber and adventurer who has been a prominent and leading figure in the climbing community since she was a teenager. Her early years were defined by her successes on the USA Climbing Team on the national and world competition circuit, including 5 US National Sport Climbing Championships and 2 North American Championships.
Emily’s true passion lies with outdoor climbing and exploring the mountains. Since shifting her focus from competition, Emily has completed numerous first female ascents of 5.14 sport routes, free climbed Yosemite’s iconic El Capitan, summited Everest, and has been on expeditions all over the world attempting big wall free climbs and high altitude peaks in Nepal, China, Myanmar, Crimea, and Morocco.
Emily currently resides in Squaw Valley, California where she focuses on training for climbing. She also strives to become a complete all-around mountain athlete through trail running and skiing.
Letting Go from Evolv Climbing on Vimeo.
Adrian Ballinger is a world class mountaineer, business leader, and professional speaker. As founder and head guide of the internationally acclaimed Alpenglow Expeditions, Adrian envisioned a more holistic climbing experience for his clients than the status quo. This vision, with a focus on small groups and client education, continues to change the way big mountains are climbed. What started in 2004 with three trips on one continent with one lead guide has grown into a thriving company running 30 trips annually on 5 continents with six lead guides. In 10 years, Alpenglow has helped more than 100 clients successfully summit Everest, Lhotse (the 4th tallest mountain in world), Manaslu (8th tallest), and Cho Oyu (6th tallest).
How was Alpenglow able to expand to 10 times its size in 10 years all while setting new industry standards and expectations? Adrian believes running a business is a lot like climbing a mountain and attributes his extensive mountaineering experiences to his company’s success. In his forthcoming book, “Why Everest Matters – Lessons Learned from the Roof of the World,” Adrian explains essential business concepts such as leadership, teamwork, and risk management from a climber’s perspective. Adrian’s inspiring stories from the amazing places he’s traveled embolden audiences to integrate these important concepts into their own lives and businesses.
As a professional athlete first and foremost, Adrian is the only American who has skied two 8,000 meter peaks, was the first person to ski Manaslu, the 8th tallest mountain in the world, and in 2011 became the first person to summit three 8,000 meter peaks in only 3 weeks (Everest twice and Lhotse once). He is the only American guide to have both AMGA/IFMGA guide’s certifications [...]
