Life is too short for grief. Or regret. Or bullshit.

"Places: a cold, bleak, lonely day on the rim at Muley Point, Utah. And the heart-cracking loveliness of the blood-smeared, bitter, incomprehensible slaughterhouse of a world...."

[mu-neutrino-deactivated20200531]

Mason Earle on X-Factor (5.13+) Gozo, Malta, Photo: Andrew Burr

[coffeentrees]

Photo @ladzinski / The granite spires and domes of Colorado’s #SouthPlatte are a playground for rock climbers. @cedarwright seen here on thin and technical holds up the colorful lichen covered rocks. In 2002 this area was ravaged by the Hayman Fire, one of the largest fires in recorded Colorado history burning nearly 140,000 acres and destroying 133 homes. The area still remains a great place for recreation, and much of the beauty still remains. by natgeo

[indecentexposurephoto]

Crystal River, Crested Butte, CO

[btruono]

Red Coat

[gymbunnyamber]

[karl-shakur]

Monument Valley ▪️ Karl-Shakur  ▪️ Instagram

[mlimphoto]

On a hot day in November at the Chocolate Factory, both @tommycaldwell and @carlodenali put in burns on Golden Ticket (5.14d) during the @blackdiamond Rock Project. Pictured is Tommy giving a go on our last day before heading to DC. (at Red River Gorge)

[labella-instagram]

[mu-neutrino-deactivated20200531]

Sunset Strip, 5.10c, 12 pitches, Squamish.

[marcommarco]

Anna Stöhr on Southern Comfort (8b)  Ph Reinhard Fichtinger  [via La Sportiva]

[simontour]

die kunst des pirschens. #wachau #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #limestone #climbinglife #visitaustria #rockclimbing #climbing_lovers #niederösterreich http://ift.tt/2fHSAko

[scottfromcalifornia]

via Instagram’s @momentumclimbing www.epicbeta.net/blog/

[mu-neutrino-deactivated20200531]

just a great looking route in squamish.

[mu-neutrino-deactivated20200531]

“Being in this crack was surprisingly secure—when I was not moving,” says climbing guide John Furneaux of tackling Public Image, a 4-pitch route on the North Walls of the Stawamus Chief. “Whenever I tried to make upward progress it felt like I might be spit out into the abyss at any moment.”

[dsrt-rat]

What will the Trump administration mean for climbing?

Now that the election is behind us, many climbers are wondering what’s next for issues that are important to us. The election will certainly have implications

Any transfer of federally-managed public lands to state control could potentially impact access to many of the best climbing areas in the United States. This is especially a concern in Utah as the legislature there puts conservation and recreation interests FAR down on their priorities list, choosing instead to accept pay-to-play type incentives and swing their legislative decisions to benefit oil and gas lobbyists.  It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine large portions of Indian Creek, the San Rafael Swell, and areas around Moab sold off for tar sands and fracking speculation, effectively fencing out recreational, conservation, and agricultural interests.

Full disclosure: I actually work in the energy development industry and I will personally benefit financially if oil and gas infrastructure expands in the USA. However, I’m not keen on the idea of handing over the reins to the “market” on this issue. Trust me, with the way things operate now it won't work itself out in some magical Ayn Rand sort of way.  Some interests in this equation have much more leverage than others to tilt things in their favor, and many folks will be left with naught but fading memories of glorious landscapes either destroyed or inaccessible. 

I believe that conservation, recreation, energy and agriculture can (and must) co-exist in mutually beneficial ways in these areas, but we NEED smart regulation from political entities that give just consideration to all interested parties.   Whether that regulation comes from a state or federal level, it doesn't really matter, but regulation IS important.  As long as politicians are obsequiously kissing the rings of the highest bidders, the free-market doctrines that exalt profit above all else will NEVER work in JUST or KIND ways for less affluent interests or for fragile ecosystems. Voices need to be raised and resources devoted to increasing the visibility and influence of other user groups.  Advocacy organizations like Access Fund and the Outdoor Alliance need to build their support bases and bolster their influence potential in the halls of government.  Will you help them?

[mu-neutrino-deactivated20200531]

Sonnie Trotter on the FFA of Ewbank Route (5.12d) on Tasmania’s Totem Pole

[kamilsustiak]

From the vault … @dugmcc touching the void …