Photos by esallen

I'd Rather Be Climbing Her

One of the funnest problems at Joes.

Route is Director of Humor Affairs

Overhung with lots of jugs. Way fun

Everyone experiences the same jaw-dropping episode when the first enter Yosemite Valley and gaze on El Cap for the first time. I think this is especially so for climbers. Had great time climbing in the valley for a week last fall. Wish I could live there...hmmmmm...

Camp 4 boulders, Yosemite. Tommy Caldwell and Beth Rodden

Dec 30!

Nick took this picture of me on our first trip to Triassic bouldering area in Southern Utah. WOW is this place cool. It was a little chilly on Dec 30, but not too cold to climb.

Shamrock in The Land of a Thousand Boulders in Triassic.

Todd Parr on Baldwin's Alcyone at The Hideaway in American Fork Canyon, UT, Fall 2005.

Todd Parr on Alcyone at The Hideaway in American Fork Canyon, UT.

Here Lee J. Leads the 1st pitch on Touchtone which consists of a 14-bolt ladder and a short C1 crack. Christan B. and Christan K. belay/watch from below. Zions National Park (coolest place on earth), UT.

Here is Christian K. and Christian B. at Zions, UT belaying Lee J. up the first pitch of Touchtone consisting of a 14-bolt ladder and a C1 crack. Angels Landing is in the background.

Buckwack Crack in Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT.

Tristan and I made 3 double-rope rapps down the North Face to get off Castleton Tower this fall. Very cool route! The rapp gave us more time to take in the killer views. We got our rope stuck on a flake once, but luckily we got is unstuck in only a few minutes.

After reaching the top of Castleton Tower, taking in the views, snaping pictures, and signing the log, Tristan and I did inventory on our rack before rapping.

Here I'm leading the incredible pitch 1 on Castleon Tower, North Chimney Route 5.8+/9-. ***. The pitch is 130 feet and sooooooooo awesome. easy gear, good jamming, and frequent rests. Incredible views.

Neat shot at the base of Castleton Tower near Moab, UT. The route is even cooler than the view!

Tristan and I have really been enjoying Maple canyon this summer. . . I wish it were a little closer. . .

Tristan and I in Maple Canyon. Here we are in the left hand fork across from Petroglyph wall.

Looks like we are already at the top eh? Well actually the tower is behind Tristan who is taking the picture.

After about 3hrs of climbing, we reached the top of Castleton Tower. Got to be one of Utah's coolest desert spires!

Tristan on top of Castleton Tower about to start the first of 3 double-rope rapps. Killer view of The Rectory.

Tristan at 2nd belay station on Castleton Tower, UT. Glad to be there...

Tristan entering crux off-width on pitch 2 of castleton tower, UT

Tristan starting up pitch 2 of North Chimney on Castleton Tower. Crux is about 20ft above him in the off width. Easily protected by a 4.5 camalot and a very very old bolt.

Tristan Seconding P1 Castleton Tower, Castle Valley, UT. Often called "Castle Rock." Long fun pitch. Good rests, easy pro, and lots of jamming!

Here I'm looking down at Tristan from about half way up pitch 1 on North Chimney, Castleton Tower. The pitch is 130 feet.

Here is a pic looking at thte Tower's North face from the base. Castleton Tower, Castle Valley, UT.

View from the Castle Valley climber's parking area. Castleton tower is high center, The rectory can be seen to its left.

crux on Baghdad at Division Wall in American Fork Canyon, UT.

Tricky gear, but fun moves. I took a 15 footer onto my 00 metolius TCU.

Me in LLC at the Gate Bouldering area..................................................................

Nick brought his slackline over one sunday evening and trained me in the way of the Jedi.

Very cool little flake route. Me and Scott hit City of Rocks and Castle Rock this spring with UCC.

balancy lead. The pro is a little sketchy

Tristan is belaying me up Cranial Prophylactic, Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT. 5/14/05

Afters Tristan's exciting lead of the freaky pro lead, I got to balance my way up the thing on TR. I'll definately be back.

Tristan Leading the Green Adjective in Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT. The route follows a supper thin pin scar crack up about 70 ft or so. The only places for pro are also your only good holds.

cut my knee near the top.

Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT. 5/14/05.

The Zoo, Rock Canyon, UT. The finger pockets at the start were full of water and mud

This is The Bulge in Rock Canyon, UT.

Here is the famous newspaper rock of Southern Utah. Not nearly as cool an Indian Creek just 10min away. Took this on our creek trip spring 2005.

Here is Christian Knight leading Mantel Illness 11.d at Indain Creek this Spring (2005). the picture is decieveing, he is actually about 70ft up right here. I took this pic from the top of Wavy Gravy.