#grahamzimmerman

[thedirtbagdad]

Backcountry PSA #2. @grahamzimmerman notes that these conditions calling for high awareness in the backcountry also applies to ice climbers and alpinists. #Repost @grahamzimmerman ・・・ Team - I grabbed this image from @steepskiing. Backcountry conditions in Colorado are treacherous, and while much of the communication is focused on skiing - this is a reminder that ascending many ice climbs in the Rockies involves spending time on these same slopes. Keep it sharp out there, and don’t push it. 🤘 https://www.instagram.com/p/CnYZNogLVXCh8B8pwiCBV9GA6uGyHJUHMvNe7Y0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[forestwoodward]

'If exploration is curiosity in action, the seduction of adventure is how we test ourselves to discover our edges, pressing on them to see if and how they expand. This issue of Sidetracked pulses with questions and answers that deepen our understanding of what fuels our motivations, obsessions, and search for meaning.' – @kimfrankwriter from the foreword for @sidetrackedmag Volume 16⁣ ⁣ Graham and Shannon shared more great thoughts and insights from the Aniakchak trip last summer- along with some stills from one of my cameras which was at some point transformed to a water-logged-paper-weight thanks to the varied wonders and persistence of Alaskan precipitation⁣ ⁣ High fives to the grizzly bear that didn’t eat Tommy and to the awesome crew who helped pull this trip and resultant film together @grahamzimmerman @shanmcd8 @tommypenick @jimaikman @laurakottlowski @rei @nrsweb https://www.instagram.com/p/B3c7xxpHcEr/?igshid=g150ooqiiaph

[wilddirt]

With all the cold snowy weather impacting the north it reminded us to share how important it is to Protect Our Winters. The economy and recreation that are tied to traditional winter weather is something we take for granted. Last year before everything shut down because of the pandemic we attended the @michiganicefest and were able to see @pow_action_fund host “Climb For Climate”, a moderated discussion focused on the distinct role climbers can take in protecting and preserving the places they love from climate change. You and can see @conrad_anker in his vibrant @thenorthface_snow hat on stage. His words as well as the words of @grahamzimmerman, @carolinegleich and @nerd_in_nature were very inspiring to us at @wilddirt and we hope to inspire you to take action to protect the places you love. #snowpocalypse #winter #pow #protectourwinters #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #snow #climbforclimate #iceclimbing #climbing #iceclimbers #climbforclimatechange (at Munising, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKwhcDjD6Lg/?igshid=14p0t240mfog1

[cairnme]

Thanks to all the friends, family, beta testers, and others who joined us at the launch party last week.  Cairn was born out of frustration with lack of cell coverage and trying to link up with friends on a backpacking trip deep in the Cascades of WA State.  We are passionate about staying connected and safe in the wilderness.  Here’s a picture of Graham inspiring us with his talk on the last expedition blazing routes in the Karakoram.

[forestwoodward]

“Aniakchak: a wild love story” - new film online this weekend for your viewing pleasures⁣ ⁣ ⁣ A tale from a time when our knees were full of cartilage, our hearts full of curiosity, and our heads were full of...well, who knows what our heads were full of. Silly ideas apparently⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Over the course of our traverse of the Alaska Peninsula and the making of this film we collectively (along with the help of seventeen types of rain) broke five cameras, popped a boat, ran out of pudding, got mildly lost in the least visited monument in the US park system, capsized a boat, got stalked by a skinny griz, saw a sea eagle, smoked one cigarette, still were out of pudding, started a book club, broke multiple tents, took turns using limbs as tent poles, did not starve to death, and did not ruin our friendships, graham and Shannon’s marriage, or each other’s lives entirely⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Big thanks to dear pals Shannon and Graham for trusting us with their story and letting us go off road thirdwheeling with them in such a spectacular setting @shanmcd8 @grahamzimmerman⁣ ⁣ ⁣ High fives to Tommy for nabbing the 100lb pack award and running safety boat while also doing camera wizardry, to Jim for the initial concept, direction and holding the vision in the edit, Laura for going above and beyond with the illustrations, and Luc for the beta @tommypenick @bedrockfilmworks @jimaikman @laurakottlowski @lucmehl⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Also worth noting our time on wild and scenic rivers is made possible in large part by the hard work of organizations like @americanrivers @americanwhitewater⁣ ⁣ ⁣ And a hearty thank you to @rei and @nrsweb for making this film possible - with additional support from @kokopellipackraft @outdoorresearch @goalzero @expedusa @trailbutter @msr_gear @wernerpaddles (at Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0tM6Ten5W0/?igshid=1660g65n7nqj7

[thedirtbagdad]

This evening! AAC Clubhouse hangout on Facebook: Thursday, April 23 at 6PM MDT. Join our community! Link in @americanalpine’s bio. . #Repost @americanalpine ・・・ Next up on Clubhouse Live: the Link Sar team! Last summer @grahamzimmerman, @steve.swenson54, @now_climbing and Mark Richey made the first ascent of Link Sar (7,041 meters) in the Central Pakistani Karakoram. Hear about the ascent Swenson calls “one of the most complex and difficult routes I've ever climbed” from the whole team this Thursday, April 23 at 6PM MDT. As always, this Clubhouse Live virtual event is totally free and open to all! #aacgram by AAC member @steve.swenson54 on the Link Sar climb. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VIl9vDlciNo-2THsfXz9Wa-jBZKs7VWrAj340/?igshid=11iq4h67exe2e

[forestwoodward]

@grahamzimmerman looking for a good spot to build a snowman

[forestwoodward]

"The plane lurches as she plows drunkenly through the thin scrim of grey that masks the frozen earth below. My chest tightens involuntarily, my feet cold now on the thin carpet of the aisle. I have long dreamed of this place. The North, the last frontier, the land of beyond. In my dreams it was not so big. Nor cold. In my dreams I could wake up and be warm. In my dreams, I was, most certainly a fool." - 3.31.17 AK Excerpt // Weather permitting we'll head into the Ruth Gorge today to spend the next two weeks camping out on the glacier and perhaps trundling up a mountain or two. Couldn't ask for better friends to head out there with, fellows whose skills in the hills are matched only by their patience and humor and genuine passion for shared adventures. @grahamzimmerman @brodyleven

[forestwoodward]

Leaning Towers // Final push. After a week of tentative peeks at the unclimbed Northeastern buttress of Block Tower we decided to go and have a proper look. With a leisurely start and full value finish - complete with unexpected roof passages, trundle daggers, and half cheek bivy ledges - we topped out the following day, dehydrated, hungry and happy. We named the route "pink rabbits" after the National album we were looping the morning of the climb, and figured it around ( 5.11 A2). I have spent a lot of time in the mountains, but it was a rare gift to get to quest into unknown territory with one of my dearest friends, mustachio marauder and mentor extraordinaire @grahamzimmerman. It was also fun to leave the big camera behind for once (these are all off the Leica M6/iPhone) and focus on climbing; immersing in the creative flow of upward progression through some of the most beautiful and untouched wilderness I have ever experienced.

[forestwoodward]

Leaning Towers XVI // @grahamzimmerman finding his way into a delightfully unexpected chicken head ladder which circumvents a final roof system on the upper pitches of Hall's East Buttress. #saladfingers

[forestwoodward]

"I remembered the sense of discovery as each pitch came together and allowed us access to the next. The sounds of upward progress: scraping picks digging through hard snow, sharp inhales of deep breaths in the cool air, the long awaited call of 'Off belay.'" // 📝 for @alpinistmag by friend, mentor, and billygoat gruff @grahamzimmerman. Graham and I spent a couple weeks in Southeast BC this fall with Alix Morris and @jabegg playing scrabble, snacking and haggling up some new rock lines // link in profile for Graham's tale of unplanned bivies and the joy of exploring the fringes with friends ✨🌄

[forestwoodward]

Did: kinda forget how to put on crampons. Did not: forget the screaming barfies. Psyched to be kicking and tickling icicles here in CO with @grahamzimmerman @brodyleven in prep for spring forays up North // 📷 Canadian Rockies January '13 //

[forestwoodward]

Yesterday my buddy Brody dropped some ice on his face while climbing this honky little ice line. He also dropped his first film ("Pedal To Peaks") on the internet. Brody's face is only mildly disfigured, he sent the climb, and the film is really great. All in all a splendid day for dropping things. If you feel like dropping what you're doing and watching Pedal to Peaks you will probably find yourself enjoying dropping things nearly as much as Brody does. #dropday #pedaltopeaks @brodyleven @joeyschusler @ktmillerphoto @grahamzimmerman @goalzero (at Ouray Ice Park)

[cairnme]

Top Climbing in the Northwest: Smith Rocks (#3)

Number three for top 10 rock climbing spots in the Northwest is Smith Rock State Park, OR.

This place is beautiful and the climbing is really good.

Smith Rock is situated in Eastern Oregon, just outside of Terrebonne, about 30 minutes north of Bend. It offers unique and fantastic sport and trad climbing on both tuff and basalt.  The weather is usually awesome, the routes are high quality, but cell service is spotty at most spots. To see more details, contact us for a private download of the Cairn app adventure@cairnme.com

Photo: grahamzimmerman / Instagram

[cairnme]

Top Climbing in the Northwest: Index Town Wall (#2)

#2 on our list of top 10 climbing areas in the Northwest is Lower & Upper Town Walls, Index, WA. Above the town of Index are a series of granite cliffs that offer some of the best free climbing in the country.  

The climbing style here is technical and physical. The rock couldn’t be higher quality and cell reception is actually quite good. Blue dots in the image above show where we got good coverage with Verizon. Ping us if you’re interested in helping map out wilderness cell spots with your carrier for Cairn.  adventure@cairnme.com

Photo: grahamzimmerman / Instagram

[cairnme]

Top Climbing in the Northwest: Frenchman Coulee (#1)

I like to stay connected while climbing for fun and safety.  Here’s the first part of 10 top places for climbing in the Northwest. Note that blue dots indicate coverage and gray/white no coverage spots.  Here’s the scoop on Verizon at Frenchman Coulee:

1. Frenchman Coulee is situated on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass and offers a great place to climb when the weather is crappy in Western Washington.  The climbing here is on basalt columns and while it’s not nearly as high as places like Index, it does offer great problems. If you want to climb moderate clips, go to the Feathers. For cracks, try out the middle east wall or sunny side, and if you want to climb hard go for the Powerhouse wall.

Cell coverage is somewhat lower in the canyon areas, and we didn’t get coverage at Powerhouse or Sunshine walls. But you can certainly get your text out if you hike around a bit, especially as you get higher up and in line of site with I-90.

Want to be a beta tester for Cairn?  Email us at adventure@cairnme.com.  Stay tuned for the next area... (Index).

Graham Zimmerman