Photos by rampage

Thin Ice (5.10b) is the vertical line that runs right up the middle of the east face of The Sorcerer. One of the best 5.10bs on the planet. Steep.

Patrick Murphy climbing the crux pitch on Airy Interlude (5.10a) at The Needles in California. Some of the best granite anywhere. Steep climbing in a beautiful setting.

Patrick Murphy climbing Exasperator (5.10c) on The Grand Wall Base on The Chief in Squamish, Canada.

Patrick Murphy climbing Sun Ribbon Arete on Temple Crag in the Palisades.

Patrick Murphy setting up a Tyrolean traverse on Sun Ribbon Arete on Temple Crag in the Palisades.

Patrick Murphy climbing Sun Ribbon Arete on Temple Crag in the Palisades.

Patrick Murphy climbing the Mithral Dihedral on Mt. Russell.

Patrick Murphy climbing Mithral Dihedral on Mt. Russell.

Patrick Murphy climbing the East Buttress of Mt. Whitney.

Patrick Murphy climbing the East Buttress of Mt. Whitney.

Dan Rampe climbing the Direct East Face on Seven Gables (IV, 5.9). For more photos, go to: http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?UV=736548223205_160741386605&collid=18092211405.723413956605.1216082539009&page=1&sort_order=0&navfolderid=0&folderid=0&ownerid=0

Hamid Aghdaee climbing the Direct East Face on Seven Gables (IV, 5.9). For more photos, go to: http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?UV=736548223205_160741386605&collid=18092211405.723413956605.1216082539009&page=1&sort_order=0&navfolderid=0&folderid=0&ownerid=0

Hamid Aghdaee climbing the North Buttress on Merriam Peak (IV, 5.10b). For more photos, go to: http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?UV=736548223205_160741386605&collid=18092211405.723413956605.1216082539009&page=1&sort_order=0&navfolderid=0&folderid=0&ownerid=0

Hamid Aghdaee climbing the North Buttress on Merriam Peak (IV, 5.10b). For more photos, go to: http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?UV=736548223205_160741386605&collid=18092211405.723413956605.1216082539009&page=1&sort_order=0&navfolderid=0&folderid=0&ownerid=0

An offwidth/chimney on the upper pitches of Picture Peak in the Sierra Nevada

Dan Rampe climbing the Beckey-Chouinard route on South Howser Tower in the Bugaboos in Canada. For more photos, go to: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=8b7mvnx.58c4o2bt&Uy=46dqc6&Ux=1

This is the east side rappel route on the Beckey-Chouinard route on South Howser Tower in the Bugaboos in Canada. The Beckey-Chouinard is rated TD+, 5.10, 20 - 22 pitches. The best guidebook to the area -- "The Bugaboos," by Chris Atkinson and Marc Piche--has this to say about Beckey-Chouinard: "The Beckey-Chouinard is the Bugaboo classic and one of the most esteemed alpine routes in North America. It is a graceful line on a beautiful peak overlooking a wild and remote valley." I agree. The best 48 hour mountain experience of my life. You'll learn a lot about yourself. For more photos, go to: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=8b7mvnx.58c4o2bt&Uy=46dqc6&Ux=1

Hamid Aghdaee climbing the Beckey-Chouinard route on South Howser Tower in the Bugaboos in Canada. Young, strong, enthusiastic. For more photos, go to: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=8b7mvnx.58c4o2bt&Uy=46dqc6&Ux=1

Dan Rampe climbing the Beckey-Chouinard route on South Howser Tower in the Bugaboos. The most fulfilling 48-hour mountain experience of my life. For more photos, go to: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=8b7mvnx.58c4o2bt&Uy=46dqc6&Ux=1

Dan Rampe and Adan Martinez climbed two of the "Fifty Classics of North America" -- Pingora, the large formation directly behind me and Wolf's Head behind it in this photo -- in the Wind Rivers in Wyoming. Beautiful backcountry climbing with the exception of the mosquitos.

Mattie showing how to do it hands free on Zodiac.

Dan Rampe looking tired after a day of climbing on Zodiac.

Mattie, an Australian climber who was in a party of three, following Dan and Ricardo up Zodiac. Looking a bit pensive while hanging out on a fixed head. It held.

Ricado climbing up; another climber -- Peter from the UK -- headed down on Zodiac. Peter later hooked up with two Australians and followed us up to the top.

Ridcardo Lagos climbing one of the lower pitches on Zodiac.

Richardo jugging one of the lower pitches on Zodiac. A great wall technician--meaning he has all his systems wired--with balls.

Hamid climbing the North Peak coulier. After topping out on this, we continued on the North Ridge of Mt. Conness.

Dan Krotz climbing Picture Peak in the Evolutions in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Warning: Have all your offwidth skills wired for the upper pitches.

Adan Martinez climbing the last technical pitch on Irene's Arete in the Tetons.

Adan Martinez climbing Pingora in the Wind Rivers in Wyoming. I love the American West. Makes you feel like there are still wild places.

Mattie, one of two Aussies and a Brit who were following Dan Rampe and Ricardo Lagos on Zodiac, May 2007. Following is a URL of a presentation my partner Ricardo put together on the climb: http://video.yahoo.com/video/profile?sid=804695

Peter attaching a rivet hanger on one of the upper pitches on Zodiac, May 2007. A good Brit. Met him in retreat. Saw him on the summit. Following is a URL that will take you to a presentation that my partner Ricardo put together on the climb: http://video.yahoo.com/video/profile?sid=804695

Ricardo Lagos leading the final pitch on Zodiac, May 2007. Following is a URL link that will take you to a presentation put together by my partner Ricardo: http://video.yahoo.com/video/profile?sid=804695

Dan Rampe leading the second pitch on Zodiac, May 2007. Traverse right. Fun and easy. Hard stuff up ahead. Following is a URL link that will take you to a presentation put together by my partner Ricardo: http://video.yahoo.com/video/profile?sid=804695

A hut dog in one of the Alp huts. What a playground. Do your climb and come down to the hospitality, warmth and comfort of a hut. Notice the avalanche coming down the couloir behind the dog.

Dan Rampe climbing the East Buttress of El Cap. Grade IV, 5.10b, old school climbing. It has it all: chimneys, offwidth, crack, face and a beautiful setting. For the common man, the best way to say hi to El Capitan. If you want to get to know El Cap better after this climb, get in your aiders.

Lenny Oliker climbing the fourth pitch arete on the East Buttess of El Cap. I fell on this pitch once with Dan Krotz. A green Alien saved me. I love them.

The North Buttress makes for one of the best car-to-car in a day climbs in the Sierra Nevada. The route has it all -- five-mile approach hike, 200 foot glacier crossing to get on the buttress, face climbing, chimneys, cracks, mellow downclimb off the back side. Bring the crampons and ice axe so that you don't get shut down. I didn't bring them the first time and was forced to turn around. It was a nice hike.

Dan Krotz on the crux pitch of Mt. Goode. The pitch is well protected and involves stemming and finger cracks.

Dan Krotz on the crux pitch of Mt. Goode. The pitch is well protected and involves stemming and finger cracks.

Jonny Kwong climbing the Mithral Dihedral on Mt. Russell. Again, another cold day on Mt. Russell.

Dan Rampe following one of the upper pitches on The Nose route on El Cap. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Dan Rampe leading the Pancake Flake pitch above the Great Roof on The Nose route on El Cap. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Dan Rampe lowering from the top of the Boot Flake to do the King Swing on The Nose. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Adan Martinez climbing one of the many chimney pitches on Epinephrine. Good training for offwidths and chimneys.

Dan Rampe on top of Higher Cathedral Spire with El Capitan in the background. I looked over at El Cap and said "I have to do that route someday." I did the next year.

Mickey "Siddhartha" Shah after completing Higher Cathedral Spire in Yosemite. Lower Cathedral Spire is in the background. Strong climber. Needs to push his potential.

Lynsey Parker highlighting the Texas Flake and Boot Flake on The Nose route on El Cap. We stopped at El Cap meadow on our way home to look at the route that had been our home for several days. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Lynsey Parker smiling on top of El Cap after completing The Nose route. Quite simply, Lynsey is one of the most positive people I've ever met or climbed with. Her enthusiasm helped make the climbing fun. Thanks. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Sunrises and sunsets on The Nose were particularly appealing. Here, El Cap casts its long shadow on the Valley floor. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1