2006 I was living out of my Toyta Camry and surviving off my first tiny bit of sponsorship cash. Landing a spot on the @thenorthface_climb team had come at a fortuitous time as I’d just been Forcibly Retired from Yosemite Search and Rescue after a 5 year stint! Sad to leave my precious YOSAR Tent Cabin behind, I channeled my angst into an obsession with sending “the Excellent Adventure,” an enduro mega pitch of hard dihedral roof and finger crack that splits the rostrum Headwall. I had smuggled @renan_ozturk into the valley to help me achieve the dream. It was a dicey game because it was imperative that he was not seen by a ranger because he was “persona non grata”!! (Long story,) … but…We started calling Renan “Renanymous.” My valley nickname was “Mr. Magoo” because I climbed blindly into adversity and often came out unscathed..and I wore glasses 😜. The nickname would eventually get iterations and a lot of folks knew me as Goo, or Gooey, … the nickname stuck.. because I hated it. 😜🤗…anyways…Renanymous and I hid at the top of el cap and the rostrum that season working on the Excellent Adventure and Freerider. Sending Excellent was an and excellent feeling, following in the footsteps of my climbing hero and the first free ascentionist @peter_b_croft … after scrapping up Excellent, I ended that season with an in a day no falls free ascent of The Freerider with @nick_bartino completing a somewhat rare at that time free in a day ascent of El cap. What an awesome season!
My longtime friend @cedarwright has founded the Dirtbag Fund (@thedirtbagfund ) - he’s giving small grants to dirtbag climbers who are living their dream. You can apply or donate at thedirtbagfund.com.
Cedar and I have had tons of adventures around the world (photos range from big walls in Antarctica to Mexico to bike tours in CA and the desert southwest) and he’s no stranger to living in the dirt. It’s great to see him paying it forward and helping the next generation of scrappy climbers have their own adventures. Check it out!
Pretty Girls with Long Knives. One of the best 12b trad routes in Vedauwoo, Wy, or anywhere really! Probably not getting downrated 💪I almost onsighted minus 5 hangs 😂 but then I held on for the ride next go, barely pulling it off, which is one of the best feelings in climbing. Cameo from my all time favourite climbing partner @nmilfeld@thenorthface_climb
Chossmaxxing with @lincolnclimbs “It’s My Swamp” a 3 pitch, 5.8 , negative three stars🌟, on the Witches Tower, boulder canyon. Really Lichen this route!
The footage of sufferpup went viral so here is the more complete story. During the “sufferfest” enchainmemt of 45 desert towers by bike with @alexhonnold we found an abandoned puppy in a ditch in the middle of the desert and adopted him for the next two weeks as we completed our mission. Me and Our Camera crew of @liteprogear and @samuelcrossley took turns snuggling w sufferpup at night… sufferpup may or may not have peed in my sleeping bag 😂! When the epic climbing adventure was done, I asked around and found a home for sufferpup on the front range of Colorado. As sufferpup grew up, they realized that this pup was actually a bear, and now he lives in the zoo….. just kidding….But certainly one of the most bear cub looking puppies to ever live!!😉 🫶❤️. Also if you want to watch the entire film, the link is in my profile. It’s called “Sufferfest 2 aka 34 pieces of Choss and 5 horrendous life experience.” 😜🫡❤️
Meet crusher @thedirtbagfund 2025 grantee @walkergenevive !!! 2026 grants are open! Go to the dirtbagfund.com to apply …In Genevieve’s own words “Climbing changed my life long before I ever thought about guiding, hosting events, or building community spaces around it. What started as a search for belonging slowly turned into creating spaces where others — especially folks who haven’t always felt represented in climbing — could experience that same sense of connection, confidence, and joy.
Through my Climb & Camp events, I get to bring people together to learn, adventure, rest, and build community outside. From first-timers to experienced climbers, these gatherings are about so much more than climbing — they’re about access, mentorship, friendship, and creating spaces where people feel seen.
That work takes support, and that’s why organizations like The Dirtbag Fund matter so deeply. Their support helps make these experiences more sustainable and more accessible for the communities I care about serving.
Really grateful to be taking over the page today and sharing a little bit of the heart behind my work.”
Climbing Psycho Tower with my buddy @jjyosh ! “Psycho-Path” is an unlikely corkscrewing natural passageway up of one of Colorado’s wildest sandstone towers! It was fun to throw JJ in the deep end and see that he could swim! Also a blast to collaborate with his team of filmmakers @lyndonthearchitect and @stiebeling.media and most importantly to take a moment to collect ourselves in the quiet beauty of the desert! 🏜️ ❤️
“I’m 51… and I still have the hunger.”
While most athletes dial it back, Cedar Wright says he still needs the edge.
Not reckless. Not trying to die.
But without those intense, alive moments? He’d be miserable.
For anyone in their 40s or 50s wondering if it’s time to shut it down — this one hits.
One of my favorite podcast conversations yet. Search for 'Ageless Athlete - Cedar Wright'
#CedarWright #AgingAthlete #ActiveOver50 #MastersAthlete #Longevity #RockClimbing #StillHungry #MidlifeAthlete #HealthyAging #PodcastClip
Free Money for Dirtbags!!! Applications are open!! Go to TheDirtbagFund.com to apply! @thedirtbagfund wants to hear your craziest climbing dreams!! 3k grants!!! These photos are of our 2025 grantee, the legendary @tradprincess who we supported in her historic ascent of Century Crack, becoming the first woman to climb 5.14 Offwidth!! 🫡💪😈❤️
From the archives—December 2017.
High on Ulvetanna in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica, @jimmychin and @conrad_anker share the rope on a first ascent, where experience, commitment, and partnership are inseparable. When the stakes are highest, trust is the strongest gear you can carry.
Featured in the film “Queen Maud Land” by @cedarwright . Watch it on demand now at the link in bio.
