Have you ever tried rock climbing?
I’ve been Bouldering (a type of rock climbing with no ropes and shorter climbs) for the last year, and I absolutely love it. In fact I recently did an interview with my climbing instructor, Guillaume Raymond. We talked about climbing for newbies; newbie mistakes, best practices… that sort of thing.
Now, that’s good and well, but if there’s one thing I’ve noticed after years of writing, it’s that sometimes pictures do a much better job at inspiring people. So with that in mind, I’m starting a new column here at Unfinished Man called, well… you can read the title. In it I’ll include a photo from wherever Guillaume is currently climbing, along with a little write-up about the place. You’ll get to see a bunch of crazy travel spots AND awesome climbing photos. Win.
Enter Guillaume…
Bishop, California. Home to one of the most unique landscapes in North America.
The arid and dry of the desert meets the Sierra’s with their snowy peaks. It creates a pretty unique landscape. The climbing there is pretty unique as well. GIANT eggs litter the field under mount Toms. These eggs provide a pretty unique climbing style to the Buttermilks, the name of the area. Even if some of those eggs are almost 55 feet tall, the rule here is to climb them with no rope. Only the security of your crash pad.
Needless to say it’s a pretty unique experience. I’m returning to the Buttermilk with one very specific goal this year: to climb the 12 scariest climbs the buttermilks have to offer. Stay tuned for more pictures!
If you have any questions for Guillaume, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. He’ll be keeping an eye on this page!
Guillaume Raymond is a North Face athlete and is also sponsored by Climbing Hold Review, L’Ecurie, Revolution and Project holds.
