Lynn Hill Blogs : A Rock Climber Blogs

A lot has happened since I have last posted. We have had three amazing climbing camps in Moab, UT, Eldorado, CO and Vedauwoo, WY. (and I participated in a 10-day rock instructor course with the AMGA)

The participants were amazing and will provide memories to last until Owen can climb 5.11a (which won’t be long judging by his current climbing prowess). I will be blogging and posting pictures on the NEW SITE(!) about 3 times a week.

Some upcoming events if you want to catch me in person:

August 13

Saturday 1-3pm. Book signing at the Outdoor Retailer Show at the Patagonia booth.

September 1

10am-Arizona Parks and Recreation. azpra.org 602-335-1962 Talk (multi-media presentation) about climbing walls in (public) parks (and …) the roll of climbing in parks and recreation).

September 8-11 (Sept. 8th-10th)

Sierra Summit Program in San Francisco. Contact Lisa Grayson Zygmunt lgrayson@rdinc.net for more info.

Vedauwoo, what can I say?

The Vedauwoo Climbing Camp was just completed. We had some great participants, good weather, great food and an all around good time.

Want to see some pictures? We have a few shots (21) for your viewing pleasure.

Vedauwoo Camp Photo Gallery

I especially like this picture of a participant on the right.

Stay tuned for a great story about the leaning tower climb with Katie Brown.

Some of you are really talking about this trip and want to know some more details.

The post should be up here by the 28th.

There is a new photo gallery over at the climbing camps section. It is from our Eldorado Climbing Camp.

Lynn Hill Climbing Camp Photo Gallery

Here is a peak of the gallery, with Brad preparing one of his great meals:

Today I’ve poasted photos from our first camp in Bishop, Ca. We had a blast despite some freezing night-time temps and a couple of snowy mornings. There were a few inovative plans hatched to keep us all warm…note the picture of kim swinging at a pinada with an 18-inch Big-Bro!

Pictures from Bishop are here http://lynnhillclimbs.com/photo.htm#bishop

We are busy as can be getting things in order for the Moab camp (may16-20), and still have a few spots on that trip. Brad is crunching away on a video of the camp to send out to the guests by friday, as well as a small promotional video for the Telluride Mountain Film festival.

Tomorrow I am giving a show at Neptune Mountaineering Here in Boulder, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the video will be ready by then.

All before leaving on Saturday to scout Hueco Tanks for a possible future location!

Responsibility has been on my mind a lot lately. Not only because of the fact that I am about to enter that vulnerable realm of liability exposure in connection with my climbing camps, but because of a few recent accidents that have occurred with clients in the outdoor industry. I used to be a rock guide in the Shawangunks of NY, long before there were any restrictions, permits or insurance companies to deal with. Fortunately I never had any accidents, but over the years since then I have resisted pursuing any kind of business venture that involved potential liability lawsuits. I was afraid of losing everything that I’ve worked so hard to create over the years because of this issue of taking responsibility (and consequently, liability) for others. Climbing has always been one of the few activities in which I am directly responsible for my own choices and actions. It is difficult to justify putting so much on the line when our legal system encourages behavior that is contrary to the fundamental principles of climbing. Now days it has become the norm to sue whoever has the deepest pockets whenever there is an unfortunate accident -whether it was due to one’s own negligence or not.

However, another contributing factor to our sue-crazy society has to do with the fact it still costs a lot of money to pay all the medical expenses, even with a good health insurance plan. Since our health care system in the US is so expensive, suing often becomes the only viable means to get those expenses covered. In the end, no matter whether we choose to take part in so-called risky activities or not, life is full of unexpected accidents and no amount of money or denial of one’s own personal or moral responsibility can stop them from happening. Shit happens.

The sad irony of the situation is that what our culture needs now more than ever is to engage in activities like climbing that require us to take direct responsibility for ourselves. This year, I’ve decided that despite the legal burden of potential liability suits, I’m going to pursue those risky endeavors that I’ve resisted for so many years. Like everything else I have done in life, if my intent is good and I am motivated for the right reasons, it usually turns out to be the right thing to do. The activities that give me the most satisfaction in life are the ones that involve the biggest risks!

Lynn Hill,
Boulder, Co., April 2005

Owen turned two last week, and we managed to find time to throw quite a party! Brad was thrilled that Dean and Steph (Potter-Davis) were able to come over from Moab…Dean and Owen share the same April 14th Birthday, as well as a few rather wild traits!

Here is a copy of my press release with a little more informatiom about the camps.

February 9th, 2005

Lynn Hill announces a series of climbing workshops in 2005.

Spring 2005 -This spring, Lynn Hill will launch the first of six comprehensive climbing camps. The Camps will celebrate the climbing lifestyle and help participants achieve a new level in their own climbing. During a five-day course, at premier climbing locations across America, Lynn will coach participants, demonstrate various types of climbing techniques, explain the process of problem solving, mental strategies, as well as give individual feedback through the use of video analysis.

Guests will enjoy all-organic meals prepared by a professional chef. Camping, logistics, and supplies will be handled to provide a seamless, safari-style experience. In addition to Lynn’s mentorship, guests will benefit from the guidance of author and venerated off-width specialist, Craig Luebben. Rounding out Lynn’s expert the team is noted boulderer and former British National Champion, Naomi Guy. Lynn’s friendships are legendary in the climbing community. Surprise appearances by other noted climbers will spice up the evening campfire scene with slide shows, slack-lining, and camaraderie.

The camps take place at these locations:

Bishop, CA April 4th – 8th
Moab, UT May 16th – 20th
Eldorado Canyon, CO June 6th – 10th
Vedauwoo, WY July 11th – 15th
New River Gorge, WV October 10th – 14th
Smith Rock, OR October 31sr – Nov 4th

Lynn has been on the leading edge of climbing for nearly three decades. She has won over thirty international climbing competitions, red-pointed 5.14, on-sighted 5.13c, and established numerous first ascents and big-wall climbs on four continents. Back on her home turf in 1993, Lynn’s visionary first free ascent of El Capitan’s Nose route set a new standard for modern free climbing. She returned the following year to free the route again in a day. Over a decade has passed and this benchmark ascent remains unrepeated!

In recent years Lynn has continued to push standards in climbing as well as other areas of her life: She has authored a book about her life as a climber, became a mother with the birth of her son, Owen, and returned to her roots to work as an ambassador for Patagonia.

Lynn has dreamed of running camps for many years. Quoting from the last paragraph of her book, Climbing Free, “What started out as a simple outing on a rocky outcrop in southern California twenty-six years ago has become a vehicle for evolving as a person, learning about the world, and sharing those experiences with others”, it’s clear that Lynn’s intent is to climb on with others through her camps.

I am very excited to offer a series of instructional climbing camps beginning in the spring of 2005. So far the idea has been received with lots of enthusiasm by the climbing community, and the camps are filling fast! For more informaton, or to reserve a spot, visit Lynn Hill Climbing Camps (www.lynnhillclimbs.com).