20 years in the past I used to be doing precisely what I’m doing now. Planning for an enormous mission within the mountains. Again then, I’m positive I by no means imagined I’d spend the subsequent 20 years doing very comparable issues. At the moment, Janine and I had been residing in our VW van, milking our $62 checking account, and making an attempt to determine tips on how to be skilled mountain sport photographers.
Then, Rock & Ice Journal took an concept we pitched to climb all of California’s Sierra Nevada 14ers by technical routes. It was our first massive project. On the similar time, Patagonia’s Picture Editor, the extremely influential Jane Sievert, took us beneath her wing serving to us produce iconic Patagonia fashion photos.
Because the snow left the Sierra, we moved in. One after the other we ticked off all of the 14ers. Many, like Mt. Russell and Whitney, we did by quite a few routes, bivvying on the base of the partitions and working laps. We additionally climbed nearly each Sierra traditional and solely actually left the excessive nation to maneuver to the subsequent trailhead.
2001 repeated itself numerous instances, a continuing cycle of organizing journeys to mountains all over the world to make photographs of what we do with buddies.
Someplace alongside the best way we moved to the Alps and our lives within the Sierra turned referenced with, “Again within the day.” With the years, life turned extra secure, cozy, and cozy.
Residing free and wild felt regular in my 20’s, however I dreamt of extra. Now, in my 50’s and having fulfilled lots of these goals, I ponder what I’ll discover if I am going again.
I’m excited that present planning places us within the Sierra for the majority of the yr engaged on yet one more massive mission and discovering what has and has not modified in 20 years. In the event you observe us on social, anticipate to see lots of mountain working, some climbing, and possibly greater than a bit re-living, “Again within the day,” whereas we develop one thing particular for the Sierra path working neighborhood.
By Dan Patitucci
A HUGE because of the manufacturers we’re celebrating a Platinum Anniversary with:
And naturally the by no means ending love & assist from these fantastic buddies (though not fairly at 20 years, but):
