Photos by vstiefel

VLS contently relaxing after the penultimate 5.9 R traverse pitch. The breathtaking view to the North includes Daff Dome in the foreground, Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River, and the Yosemite Wilderness. Photo by HHH.

The old man assessing the situation after successfully surmounting the most difficult section on the crux (5th) pitch of Mr. Kamps. Photo by HHH from the belay anchors.

VLS focuses on foot work just past a hanging belay at the top of the 5th pitch underneath a large roof. Photo by HHH.

Blame it on Rio is another high quality climb on the basalt columns in the Upper Gorge. Clay Cahoon successfully powers through the 11+ roof after mastering the technical 5.12 crux on the lower wall.

Embryonic (11d) is another fine sport climb by J. "Frizmo" Frizzell. Determined to send, vDiablo grimaces while making the crux clip. Photo by Albert W.

The megaclassic Powerline ascends thin edges and pockets on solid tuff for close to 40 m. El diablo is nearing the final 12 - crux between the last two bolts. Photo by Tara.

Vern S. intently focusing on the large incut above the first bolt on Closet Nazi, an excellent route on the Berlin Wall at Broughton Bluff.

Brian making the long reach to a jug on Sideshow, the only moderate face climb on the Earwax Wall with fixed pro. Very engaging climb!

Mark Anderson jamming through the final crux section on No Brain, No Pain (10d), a jagged splitter on the west side of the Smith Rock Group. The well traveled Oregon Trail, errr, Wherever I May Roam is clearly visible in the background.

The crux pitch of No Pain, No Gain is high on the west face of the Smith Rock Group. Mark Anderson is working through the strenuous moves on the overhanging crack just below the bolted section.

Mike A. is nearing the end of the sustained and technical moves on Full Court Press (12a), another excellent sport route on the Catwalk Cliff in the Lower Gorge at Smith Rock SP.

Vern S. securely placing a #5 camalot in the overhanging offwidth (5.11) on the first pitch of Another Man's Car. Photo by Evan.

Missy and the Oz man watch with unassuming awe as the Honed Drone, Marco, emerges from the hive on "Beekeeper's Apprentice" near Bishop, CA in the Pollen Grain boulders. Photo by Morgan.

The Iron Maiden (11d), on the White Maiden's Apron of Tahquitz Rock, begins on a steep bolted slab (crux)before ascending two roof sections. The climb finishes on a lower angle slab. Suicide Rock looms in the distance. Photo by Holden Harris.

Quinlan, at 7 months, attentively belaying his dad at the base of the Scud Boulder in the Split Rocks area. Photo by Tara S.

Vern S. ascending The Last Stand (12a), an engaging sport climb on the 100 ft. high Arrowhead flake in The Valley of Kings; a remote and beautiful area in the North Wonderland of Rocks. Photo by Holden Harris.

Holden H. nears the 5.11 crux on the 2nd pitch of the burly Don Wall, another incredible line on the Sorcerer, while Vern S. removes slack out of the system from the belay anchors. The photo was taken by Tara S. near the ridge between the Sorcerer and Witch Needle.

Wailing Banshees is another stellar climb on the Sorcerer that begins below Scirocco. Cruxy face moves right off the ground lead to a huge dihedral that is climbed for almost three pitches. Another 5.11 crux move is encountered on the second pitch in a steep section of the dihedral. Vern S. nears the top of the third pitch as the sun wanes in the west. Photo was taken by Holden Harris from the ridge between the Sorcerer and the Witch Needle.

This very challenging and runout 3 pitch climb established by M. Lechlinski, R. McClenahan, R. Carson, A. Olobri, and M. Gingery (6/83)is on the west face of The Magician. Small to medium stoppers and cams protect discontinuous crack systems. Seven 1/4" bolts protect the face climbing sections. The first pitch (5.10+) begins in a right arching crack that ends 20' from the ground. One bolt protects moves to another crack that ends at the belay. The crux is a very difficult 6' traverse across a blank steep face to a corner near the end of the 2nd pitch. A bolt protects the inital moves. The third pitch is relatively easy (5.9+) and ends on a large ramp that leads to the fire lookout. The photo was taken by Tara Stiefel below and west of the fire lookout.