High Places

I just wanted to say thank you for being such a great role model for my daughter. It’s nice to have her be able to look up to someone who not only oozes physical fitness, but is also a vegan. And although she is still young, she asks to go climbing everyday, and the minute we walk into our gym she sees the poster of you on the wall, and can point you out. So again, I wanted to just drop a line and say thanks!!
Nick Knight

Hi Steph,
Congratulations for your beautiful climbing and life journey.
I am from Brazil but I`m in Lander,WY working in this summer as Outdoor Educator. As you, I love climbing and I find myself here because I`m happiest in the mountains. Continue Reading »

HELLO.MY NAME IS DIMOSTHENIS AND I AM FROM GREECE.YOU ARE A UNIQUE PERSON WHO IS GORGEOUS AND COURAGEOUS AT THE SAME TIME.CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE IN YOUR LIFE UNTIL NOW.

I ENCLOSE YOU 2 PHOTOS WITH SOME ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN GREECE THAT WE CALL IT METEORA.THEY ARE PERFECT FOR SOLOING.
HOPE TO SEE YOU IN GREECE SOMEDAY.
BEST REGARDS
DIMOSTHENIS-HELLAS(GREECE)

Dear Dimosthenis,
I am half Greek (on my mother’s side–family names of Zaphiriou and Kimpretis).
These amazing pictures make me want to visit Greece even more than before! Meteora is unbelievably beautiful.
I wonder if you can jump from those cliffs too?
Steph

Base jumping doesn’t have to be boring.

G Spot Jump, and the “i love me” cam from steph davis on Vimeo.

Hi Steph! I just finished reading your book and wanted to thank you for sharing your experiences, and opening up your journey to others. It was very inspirational for me, growing up in Bishop I have been exposed to climbing for years, but just recently got into the sport myself, now going into my sophomore year of college I am becoming very passionate about the sport. Although, being around athletes that have been climbing since they could walk gets discouraging, but reading your book brought me a new sense of hope, and something I could relate to. So, thank you for providing me with the inspiration. I hope you are having a wonderful summer and getting in some good climbing! =)
peace,
Alissa Klemencic

Thanks Alissa! I am having a great summer, and hope you are too. Those college summers can’t be beat
xxSteph

hey steph, not gonna lie feel really weird writing this. just wanted to say that i can’t explain in words the effect and change your book has had on my life. it’s the only book i’ve reread, and still find it inspiring every time. i was also wondering what you would recomend for improving grip strength? hope everything is well, thanks again for the book and awesome stories!
jon.
p.s. i’ve also been looking into getting a new stove and have been checking out the new msr’s and was wondering if you have any recomendations (primarily for ski tours backpacking and climbing trips)? which one are you using/favourite?
thanks again and good luck with everything in the future.

Dear Jon,
Thanks for writing to me! I probably do not have the best grip strength I have ever seen, but I have found that using a fingerboard will always give improvement. I wrote a post about the workout I like to do, and it definitely helps: Fingerboard Training 101. As far as stoves go, I love the MSR Pocketrocket with the titanium teakettle. I am a fanatic about weight. This set-up is so light, it just doesn’t matter if you bring it.
I’m glad you liked the book, and thanks again for the kind thoughts!
xx Steph

Hey Steph,
Since I can tell you’re a fellow vegan and climber, I’m hoping you can help. What are some recommendations for big wall vegan food? I’m doing my first multi-day climb and am hoping to pack more than just a bunch of peanut butter jelly sandwiches and granola bars. Thanks!
~Michele

Hi Michele, I hope you will have fun–you didn’t say what wall you are heading up on! I love my food bag when I pack for a long route, because it’s always very light. There is one problem, though, which is that your partner is guaranteed to want your food, even though you packed it especially for your vegan eating needs. So you have to bring extra.
Continue Reading »

Hi Steph–
Your recent blogging is really an inspiration.

I recently watched your Castleton/Diamond movie, and it was very honest about soloing and spending quality time in the mountains and the wilderness. Those must have been genuine learning experiences.
Thanks!
–Dave

Hi Dave They were incredible learning experiences, and I am lucky to have had them. Thank you for writing to me.
xxSteph

Hello Steph!
Ich heiße Bálint Izer von Hungary. Es ist eine kleine Land in Europe. Ich sehe immer ihre Leistungen. wow, es ist fantastisch. Und seine solo und hard climbing, wow. Du hast kene Angst?? Wie tranierst du, wenn es mir fragen darf?? Ich gartuliere noch einmal.
danke danke
Bálint izer

Ok, now all I need is someone to translate for me!
Anyone?
Steph

People sometimes ask me what climber inspires me, and who I look up to. When I first started climbing, I was totally inspired by the legendary climber, Layton Kor. Layton made cutting edge ascents in the Utah desert, the Diamond, Yosemite, the Black Canyon, and the Alps. He loved all the places I love, and in my opinion, stands out clearly as the most amazing, visionary, and unique climber of his generation. One of my favorite stories was about the time he decided to eat only cabbage on a climbing trip.

Every time I climb Castleton Tower and the Diamond, I think of him and Huntley Ingalls, and what amazing pioneers they were. Layton was a real soul climber, and very much ahead of his time, in every place around the world he visited. His copy “Beyond the Vertical” is out of print. I’m lucky enough to have a copy, and it is one of my most treasured possessions.

He needs some help right now, and I am thankful to Stewart Green and Ed Webster for this:

Layton Kor Signed Photos
By Stewart Green and Ed Webster / LaytonKorPhotos@gmail.com

Please help the iconic climbing legend — Layton Kor — by purchasing a signed desert climbing print for $50 plus $5 shipping and handling. ALL proceeds go towards Layton Kor’s growing medical expenses.

Kor needs a kidney transplant, which costs over $250,000, plus the costs of all the drugs and the cost of the drugs he takes now…. dialysis three times a week, and a substantial monthly insurance deductible. His insurance and Medicaid and Medicare simply do not cover all the costs.

He’s a proud man but he is very grateful for all the generous support and help that climbers have given him to help stay afloat.

To purchase a print please contact Stewart Green at: LaytonKorPhotos@gmail.com

The Black Dragon Wash has some beautiful rock paintings, and a really nice base jump. And, the dogs love it.

black dragon wash with slack and fletch from steph davis on Vimeo.