Samuel Stroh

On Monday, I freed the rugged, drop-dead route El Corazon on El Capitan in just under 22 hours. This project has been on the forefront of my mind over the past 16 months, and there is a lot I want to share about the experience. This ascent is probably the most challenging thing I have done in my climbing, and it feels damn good to see it through. First, I need to thank my supportive friends that were an integral part of the process for me. Adrian, @a.vanoni , as always, was my second half during early recon missions. Our times up on El Cap together are some of my most memorable and cherishable. Victoria, @vickyvicti , joined us for a 4 day work trip to the top to shoot photos while we dialed in the upper cruxes. Without her hard work, I couldn’t share these banner photographs that show off how rad El Corazon is. Additionally, Will, @will.vidler , offered high-class belay support to the summit after Adrian and I simuled the freeblast. Our Lorde-heavy playlist kept morale high when I was firing a crux pitch or when Will was teaching himself to lower out. I couldn’t have had a better supporter, period. A highlight of the day was climbing past @babsizangerl and @laraneumeier during their ascent of Muir Blast/ El Corazon, as well as @miskaizakovicova and @timogreenwood_ during their Golden Gate pushes. Everyone was supportive and let me hang out and chat in their portaledges while I waited to try the next crux pitch. I won’t soon forget climbing the crux roof, pitch 25, with seven people cheering me on–dreamy. In the end, I sent the route with only one fall at the bottom of the Beak Flake (done the next try). To speak on inspiration, my climbing heroes, @tommycaldwell , @alexhonnold , and the late great Brad Gobright, had the vision and ability to climb this route in this style, so I was inspired to do the same. Arriving at the crescendo of climbing the 4 crux pitches at the top confidently and relaxed was one of the most satisfying moments in my climbing. I look forward to sharing more about the climb in the coming days. On a different note, I turn 23 today, and I’m spending the day with @taylor._shaffer in San Diego, reminding myself I suck at surfing. Best.

On a hard sport climb, the noise falls away. Your senses sharpen. All that matters is the next move. Our new spring rock-climbing collection is built for that moment, with lightweight layers, ultra-strong packs, and technical gear that bring the comfort and precision you need to stay focused on the send. 📸: Taylor Shaffer (@taylor._shaffer )

valley w/ Jim • @arcteryx

I’ve experienced climbing through many filters: fear (of injury or of failure), burnout, frustration, demoralization, as well as, joy, curiosity, and inspiration. It’s not always easy to notice these in the moment, let alone the factors and conditioning that bring them to pass. The folks over at @strongmind.climbing are keen on working with people on the complexities of fear, focus, and motivation in their climbing lives. I’m looking forward to the program launching on the 6th of January. Waitlist link in bio 🪩 Moody @iandzilenski images from a couple summers back on The Path; Canmore, Alberta. • @arcteryx 🖤

Over the last 5 years, I’ve been rather interested in what’s going on behind the eyes and between the ears. And I’ve consequently spent quite some time silently seated, observing passing sensations and thoughts. In short, I’ve found a lot of value in this type of practice, and, for me, it’s a great tool for recognizing certain inclinations of mind, preferable and not so. Although I’ve tried different ways of processing fear and negativity and others for cultivating focus and kindness, I haven’t merged these interest with my passion for climbing loads in the past. So when Strong Mind Climbing reached out to ask if I’d be interested in taking part in their program, I was happy to get involved and learn about how they merge mindfulness and climbing. I’ve noticed myself responding to some stimulus, stressful or still, in ways that aren’t always sustainable or enjoyable, and I’m excited to work with the team over at Strong Mind on this! If any of this sounds cool or relatable, consider hopping on the waitlist and seeing if the program is a good fit for you. I’ve put the link in my bio 🌫️ And, here are some beautiful @samm_pratt photos from Jim, Sam and I’s trip to the Petit Cloche du Portalet last summer. Good times. @strongmind.climbing • @arcteryx

Jim and I in the portaledge during our free ascent of Magic Mushroom this past November. • Most climbing days starting just before dawn and ending by late morning, stopping when the sun hit the wall, left us with a lot of time in the ledge. Much reading, scribbling, chatting, and mind losing took place. This is what it looked like some of the time. @arcteryx

Congrats to Arc’teryx athletes Jim Pope and Sam Stroh for nabbing the 5th and 6th free ascent of Magic Mushroom, 5.14a, on El Cap. After 31 pitches (10 pitches being 13a/7c+ or harder) and 12 days on the wall, the duo topped out on November 12th.   “It was my first El Cap route and first trip to the Valley, so I had a lot of uncertainty. How would I get on with the climbing style? How would my body fare with all of the work? Was I trying to run before I could walk? All the way up, it still felt like a far-fetched dream, even though we were slowly creeping closer to making it a reality.” - Jim   “I’m still processing the whole thing, but I do know how appreciative I am to have spent 12 days up on the wall with Jim. Grateful for the lows and the highs of our time up there, trying to free such a unique and inspiring line..” - Sam Photo/Video: @chrisnataliephoto   Additional Photo: @jimpopeonarope , @stroh.light #arcteryx

•Spirit of the West• Thanks @nicole.giampietro for capturing a few moments on this one. @arcteryx @lasportivana

September in Squamish Was happy to spend over a month in one place after lots of moving around this past spring/ summer. Already missing the special community and climbing scene up there <3 Was able to get up some memorable routes too: - Spirit of the West - Sea of Tranquility - The Opal - Teddy Bears Picnic - Brothers in Arms Photos: - alice&brohm - Paradise Valley mornings - many fulfilling skate sessions - @ethansalvo making his art - @rach_bal on Brothers in Arms - @ross.fulkerson and I on Sea of Tranquility - crafts w/ @arcteryx - @ross.fulkerson and I again - tricksters - gripped up on Sea of Tranquility - boulder; photo by @quinn.midori - @ross.fulkerson getting slabby - tags - up on the 0pal w/ @rach_bal - down the rabbit hole @arcteryx @lasportivana @physivantage

High above the town of Orsières, Le Portalet guards the entrance to the Swiss part of the Montblanc range. Its subsidiary summit, The Petit Clocher du Portalet, is well renowned for its needle shape with solid red granite, splitter cracks and clean arêtes. ‘L’Histoire sans fin’ takes the most striking line up the tower, and is considered the best granite multipitch of the grade in Europe.  In July, I spent three days on the route with Arc’teryx athletes @jimpopeonarope and @stroh.light with the aim of documenting their experience of trying it. The prospect of photographing the route itself was too good to turn down. I had seen articles from the first ascent with incredible images of the tower and in particular one of the crux pitches, which was possibly the most immaculate arêtes I’ve ever seen. This was the first time the pair had climbed together and, though coming from opposite sides of the world and having very different climbing backgrounds, their skills seemed to complement each other really well. As a photographer it felt important for me to follow this partnership both on and off the wall, as especially in environments like these, the relationship between you and your partner is incredibly important. Honestly, I had a field day; the moonrises, morning clouds that shrouded the tower, pristine rock. I was in heaven. On our last day and after two sessions of working the route, the guys made a push, freeing all pitches except the last crux. Both Sam and Jim hope to return soon to finish it up. 📸 / ✏️: @samm_pratt #arcteryx

A great time at the @arcteryxacademy in Chamonix Well grateful to have been apart of such a cool event where everyone involved showed up with the energy to connect, learn, and just enjoy. Thanks to all who came out for the clinics, presentations, climbing, and dancing 🖤 Looking forward to another one in Squamish next week! Hope y’all can make it out. @arcteryx

From the last day in the Peak District Millstone w/ Sam and Jim photographs by @samm_pratt