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RKM > Pictures of history and friends - 54 years of climbing!

History Photos
1968: Don Decker - who taught me to love climbing. <br> <br> English Lit professor at Ricks College in Rexburg, ID. <br> <br> Summit of the Grand Teton. <br> <br> Don was later killed third classing in the Tetons - leaving a wife and nine children.
1968: Don Decker - who taught me to love climb…
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1969 Just out of high school - learning to climb. <br> <br> What's funny about this picture and the hip belay is that Yvon Chouinard is on the other end of the rope.<br> <br> Yeah, paid him $15.00 for a day of climbing and teaching. Got the boat ride across Jenny's Lake as part of the deal.
1969 Just out of high school - learning to clim…
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1969 Arnold Woodruff Miller (dad) - age 55. Belaying on the Exum Ridge. Between the ages of 55 and 65 he climbed most of the Teton Peaks.
1969 Arnold Woodruff Miller (dad) - age 55. Be…
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1974 First Grade IV with Larry Conrad. South Buttress Direct of Moran. <br> <br> Next day was the Snaz
1974 First Grade IV with Larry Conrad. South B…
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1976 Leslie Miller near the summit of Sassolungo (Langkofel). Dolomites<br> <br> Summer in Europe.
1976 Leslie Miller near the summit of Sassolung…
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1976 RKM and Leslie Miller. Summit of Matterhorn - Zermatt in the background. <br> <br> Summer in Europe<br> <br>
1976 RKM and Leslie Miller. Summit of Matterho…
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1976 All the right gear for an ascent of the Hornli Ridge - Matterhorn.<br> <br> We (I) had a little encounter with one of the local Zermatt guides when he thought my wife was climbing to fast. <br> <br> Apparently, they think the Hornli ridge is their's. No problem, happy to mix it up on the slopes above the North Face!
1976 All the right gear for an ascent of the Ho…
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Leslie Miller - Hornli Ridge in '76. Mismatched gloves repurposed from a garbage can in Zermatt.
Leslie Miller - Hornli Ridge in '76. Mismatche…
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Summit of Matterhorn. About 9:00 am. Celebration with a $5.00 ('76 price) can of coke.<br> <br> August 8th, 1976
Summit of Matterhorn. About 9:00 am. Celebrat…
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Topless beach at Nice, France. 1976
Topless beach at Nice, France. 1976
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Where we spent 90% of the nights. Student Eurail Passes. 1976
Where we spent 90% of the nights. Student Eura…
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Marshall Woodruff Miller - age 9 or 10. Top of Castleton Tower.<br> <br> One of many ascents of Castleton.
Marshall Woodruff Miller - age 9 or 10. Top of…
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Steve Bowen, base of Wheat Thin after following Waverly Wafer. Late 70's.<br> <br> We told him to 'tape up'!
Steve Bowen, base of Wheat Thin after following…
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Steve Bowen. Top of Louise Falls, Canada. 1984.<br> <br> First and pretty much last ice climb for poor Steve.
Steve Bowen. Top of Louise Falls, Canada. 198…
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Blair Rich - El Cap (Salathe’ Wall) attempt. Mid 80's
Blair Rich - El Cap (Salathe’ Wall) attempt. M…
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An early ascent of Moses North Face. Late 70's. Long before it was called Pale Fire.<br> <br> RKM, Blair Rich, Steve Bowen
An early ascent of Moses North Face. Late 70'…
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1982 Last pitch of Shiprock. Totally camouflaged to avoid detection.
1982 Last pitch of Shiprock. Totally camoufla…
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Top out on the Nose with wives and friends - June '75
Top out on the Nose with wives and friends - Ju…
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El Cap Tower in June '75. Swami belt and Levis!<br> <br> With the late Floyd 'Tex' Bossier.
El Cap Tower in June '75. Swami belt and L…
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Black Ice Couloir, Summer of '82?<br> <br> Three ice tools total, one Salewa screw, one wired stopper and one piton, 8mm rope. Perfect rack!<br> <br> Bret Olson wearing shorts and Super Gaiters.<br> <br> One day trip from Rexburg, even after I spent a few hours in jail in Jackson while Bret came up with the $80 cash to pay the speeding ticket. Jackson Cops - bad boys, bad boys, what ya gonna do!
Black Ice Couloir, Summer of '82? Three ice…
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The old A5 pitch on the West Face of Sentinel Rock - Yosemite, '95 ?<br> <br> Small TCU's make it easy.
The old A5 pitch on the West Face of Sentinel R…
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West Face of El Cap. Fast and free (except one move on the first pitch in the dark).<br> <br> Team Bitter/Miller. Maybe '90/91
West Face of El Cap. Fast and free (except one…
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1997 Polar Circus - Canada.<br> <br> Photo by Bret Ruckman
1997 Polar Circus - Canada. Photo by Bret R…
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Top of the Chouinard Herbert on Sentinal. Fast and free.<br> <br> Team Bitter/Miller '93?
Top of the Chouinard Herbert on Sentinal. Fast…
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The great Jeff Lowe pondering avalanche danger in Ouray (Camp Bird Mine Road). <br> <br> 1984.<br> <br> Above his head is what would become Bird Brain Boulevard the next year.
The great Jeff Lowe pondering avalanche danger…
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1981 After Travelers Buttress - the Leap.<br> <br> With ultra runner and climber Bryce Thatcher. <br> <br> Bryce held the speed record on the Grand Teton round trip for 29 years. He set it two times, once when he was 18 and three years later when he was 21. <br> <br> His fastest time was 3:06. The current record is 2:53
1981 After Travelers Buttress - the Leap. W…
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A three day weekend trip from Rexburg to the Bugs. Climbed both Bugaboo and Snowpatch.<br> <br> August '81 (part of the "50 classics" road trip years) Climbed one of the "50" almost every other weekend that summer.<br> <br> With Bryce Thatcher
A three day weekend trip from Rexburg to the Bu…
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1974 Kim Miller, Grant Moedl and Larry Conrad. First Grade VI, NW Face of Half Dome.<br> <br> Skipped the Grade V, had never used Jumars, only aided on telephone pools, had never hauled, drug up Kelty Packs with external frames, lots of beef jerkey, hardly any water - a real learning experience.
1974 Kim Miller, Grant Moedl and Larry Conrad.…
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Steve Bowen - Sentinel Rock.<br> <br> Part time climber, part time rodeo clown, full time cowboy and street fighter.
Steve Bowen - Sentinel Rock. Part time climb…
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An early and illegal ascent of Bridalveil Falls in Telluride.<br> <br> Probably '77.<br> <br> Wooden handle North Wall hammers, old style screws.<br> <br> Helmuts Smelmuts<br> <br> Photo by Jim Knight
An early and illegal ascent of Bridalveil Falls…
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Son Marshall and daughter Sue. Ancient Art. Probably 2004/5. <br> <br> Marshall 'base jumped' from Ancient Art in the fall of '11 and several times after up to 2013. Video below.<br> <br> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVcV9ItdZ8w
Son Marshall and daughter Sue. Ancient Art. Pro…
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Daddy-daughter date - Ancient Art
Daddy-daughter date - Ancient Art
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One of the many trips up 'Dream of Wild Turkeys' - Red Rocks. <br> <br> Surely one of the finest rock climbs on the planet. <br> <br> With Cowboy Steve Bowen.
One of the many trips up 'Dream of Wild Turkeys…
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Wild weather on the North Face of Athabasca - Canadian Rockies.<br> <br> Avalanches roaring all around us. Go up, go down, stand still????<br> <br> With Bryce Thatcher.
Wild weather on the North Face of Athabasca - C…
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2009 Top of 'Space Boyz' - El Potrero Chico, Mexico<br> <br> Photo by Bret Ruckman
2009 Top of 'Space Boyz' - El Potrero Chico, M…
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Brian Smoot cleaning, Merrill Bitter jugging - a long way out from the wall. <br> <br> West Face - Leaning Tower - Yosemite 2002 <br> <br> Just walked up in the morning, did the climb and were back to the car long before dark.
Brian Smoot cleaning, Merrill Bitter jugging -…
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Joanne Urioste - Red Rocks. <br> <br> Been climbing with her forever. And yeah, we're the same age.
Joanne Urioste - Red Rocks. Been climbing wi…
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After five days on the Nose! 1975 <br> <br> The late 'Tex' Bossier, the late Grant Moedl, and RKM <br> <br> Tex wore a Willians , Grant had some homemade job and I stuck with the simple three wrap Swami.
After five days on the Nose! 1975 The late…
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Just how I remember the Tetons as a kid.<br> <br> Garnet Canyon Meadows.
Just how I remember the Tetons as a kid. Gar…
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An early attempt on the Coffin Roof.<br> <br> Jonathan Smoot belaying.
An early attempt on the Coffin Roof. Jonatha…
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Sunrise on Mammoth Terraces - El Cap.<br> <br> During one of the two failed attempts on the Salathe'.<br> <br> Also, looks like I forgot to tie in for the night.
Sunrise on Mammoth Terraces - El Cap. During…
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1979 gas crisis? - no problem, just strap 15 gallons to the back of your car and head to Yosemite.<br> <br> Leslie Miller and the late Mark Ward.
1979 gas crisis? - no problem, just strap 15 ga…
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Here's how Moonlight Buttress used to be in the early 70's. A full on A3 third pitch with RURP's in sandstone. Pic by Dave Smith <br> <br> Look at that rack of pins!
Here's how Moonlight Buttress used to be in the…
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Wow! My very own book of climbing pictures for my 60th birthday. <br>
Wow! My very own book of climbing pictures for…
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1974. Some kids headed for the NW Face of Half Dome - with no clue what they were getting into.<br> <br> I wore those Chouinard Knickers for years. I loved them.
1974. Some kids headed for the NW Face of Half…
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On the third day of Half Dome - just below Big Sandy Ledge. <br> <br> We made it off that night - barely.
On the third day of Half Dome - just below Big…
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1971, I found time for other interests when I was 19. <br> <br> The 17 year old future Mrs. Miller
1971, I found time for other interests when I…
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1980 Just lead 'Death and Transfiguration' - 11b, Boulder area.<br> <br> RKM, Pat Ament and Cam ? Photo - Mark Ward.
1980 Just lead 'Death and Transfiguration' - 1…
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Top out on Lunar Ecstasy - Zion's. November 1997<br> <br> A fairly early ascent of this beautiful route.<br> <br> Photo - Brian Smoot
Top out on Lunar Ecstasy - Zion's. November 19…
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Yikes! Steep Canadian Ice.<br> <br> Pilsner Pillar - mid '90's. Yoho National Park, BC.<br> <br> Photo by Bret Ruckman
Yikes! Steep Canadian Ice. Pilsner Pillar -…
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Tighten up the right one a little, I plan on 'sending' this baby on site!<br> <br> City of Rocks, Sept 2013 with Joe.
Tighten up the right one a little, I plan on 's…
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Joanne Urioste following the crux pitch on a very early ascent of Levitation 29.<br> <br> Early 80's. State of the art gear and shoes.
Joanne Urioste following the crux pitch on a ve…
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Early snow in Castle Valley.
Early snow in Castle Valley.
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Chasing the sun on the last lap at Breadloaves. Sept 2013.<br> <br> Can you spot the approach shoes (Crocs).
Chasing the sun on the last lap at Breadloaves.…
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Old school ice climbing. Jim Knight with a rack of antique screws, a prototype Snarg (given to him by Jeff Lowe) and even a Wart Hog (Google that).<br> <br> '76 or '77
Old school ice climbing. Jim Knight with a rac…
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Bridalveil Falls, Telluride in 1977.<br> <br> Drove from Rexburg, Idaho twice within a month to get this done. We believed at the time it was within the first 10 or so ascents. Pretty lean conditions.<br> <br> It was hard, really hard - and scary. Jim Knight lead the difficult stuff.<br> <br> Jim was an excellent ice climber back in the day. Probably still is.
Bridalveil Falls, Telluride in 1977. Drove…
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Bridalveil Falls, Telluride. 2002.<br> <br> Fat and nice. Another party of three on the main line (right side) told us to stay away. <br> <br> We climbed the complete left side to the top, walked off, and were probably in Grand Junction by the time the other party topped out.<br> <br> Climbed with Jason Jones on my 50th Birthday!
Bridalveil Falls, Telluride. 2002. Fat and…
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1968. On top of Disappointment Peak with my dad. The Grand Teton in the background.<br> <br> Photo by my older brother - Wood Jr.
1968. On top of Disappointment Peak with my da…
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1969 - Devils Tower. At that time, you had to write ahead and ask for permission to climb, have a letter or two of recommendation, a list of previous climbs, have the ranger check your gear at Park Headquarters, etc., etc.<br> <br> You also had to have helmets - thus a few construction hats and one motorcycle helmet in the picture. Snowed most of the day but we had driven way to far (Rexburg, Id) to not summit in any way possible.<br> <br> Steve Henderson, Val Price, Kim Miller (with the Millermitts and hammer). Photo taken by John Ricks - whose parents let us take their Cadillac.
1969 - Devils Tower. At that time, you had to…
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Probably '75. Top of Castleton Tower via the Kor route. This was pre "50 Classic Climbs" era, so we were the 19th ascent of the tower. <br> <br> Did it the next year and we were in the 50's, a couple of years later, in the 200 range, and then into the thousands of ascents before the summit register disappeared. <br> <br> I got part way up this beauty a year earlier by myself, having a 'desert solitaire' day.
Probably '75. Top of Castleton Tower via the K…
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Ah! the desert in '74. Snowing, blizzard conditions, a rack of pitons, friends that had never climbed before (or ever would again). <br> <br> What could ever go wrong??
Ah! the desert in '74. Snowing, blizzard c…
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Three generations, on the rocks! <br> <br> Backyard Boulders - Castle Rock State Park, Idaho 2013 <br> <br> Parker, Marshall and Grandpa
Three generations, on the rocks! Backyard Bo…
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Bret and Judy Ruckman - road tripping, July 1989. City of Rocks, Idaho <br> <br> Some of my best friends. I've climbed with Bret for 40 something years - from Valdez to the Gunks to Canadian Rockies to El Potrero, Mexico
Bret and Judy Ruckman - road tripping, July 198…
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You ever lead something 'back in the day' and think you were really cool - only to figure out later that you were really stupid?<br> <br> And, damn lucky!<br> <br> Automatic Control Theory - Santaquin Canyon, Utah
You ever lead something 'back in the day&#3…
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Bret Ruckman always had the latest, greatest tools. I was always a generation or two behind.<br> <br> Whiteman Falls - Canada, mid '90's
Bret Ruckman always had the latest, greatest to…
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One of the first few ascents of Swoop Gimp or Be Dust in Zion's. Still plenty of pins at that time.<br> <br> Mid '90's with Jason Jones
One of the first few ascents of Swoop Gimp or B…
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Blair 'Charlie' Rich on Spaceshot, Zion's, Oct '98. <br> <br> We've climbed together since '68 in high school.<br> <br> Back then, we were rock and roll stars with our band; Stark Naked and The Car Thieves.<br> <br> Not sure where the pink shirt came from . . . or why?
Blair 'Charlie' Rich on Spaceshot, Zion's, Oct…
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Jason Jones on an ascent of Sheer Lunacy in Zion's - May '97<br> <br> This route is so good, I did it twice.
Jason Jones on an ascent of Sheer Lunacy in Zio…
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Brian Smoot after an early ascent of Desert Shield in Zion's.<br> <br> I've climbed hundreds of routes with Brian over the years. He and I make a great partnership and continue to climb with each other often.
Brian Smoot after an early ascent of Desert Shi…
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Bill Boyle on Lovelace in Zion's. Early '90's. <br> <br> The independent Fang Spire behind him.
Bill Boyle on Lovelace in Zion's. Early '90's.…
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Bret Ruckman and I about to climb South Crack on the Maiden. Boulder 1986 <br> <br> Photo by Judy Ruckman
Bret Ruckman and I about to climb South Crack o…
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Lost Angel on Angels Landing. One of the first few ascents of this route in 2001. The route is between Prodigal Son and Ball and Chain and goes up the blank bulging wall via beak cracks.<br> <br> We had 18 beaks/peckers/rurps and used most of them on two continuous pitches.<br> <br> Climbers below my right are starting up Prodigal Son.<br> <br> Photo by Brian Smoot
Lost Angel on Angels Landing. One of the first…
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'I can't believe it's raining'.<br> <br> Flew from SLC to Seattle, rented a car and drove through Vancouver to Squamish, spent the night and woke up to a drizzle. Oh well, we have to climb it regardless. We have a flight to catch.<br> <br> The Grand Wall . . . in less than perfect conditions. With Jason Jones
'I can't believe it's raining'. Flew from SL…
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The famous Mount Cook - New Zealand - from the Hermitage Lodge.<br> <br> February 2014 with my little buddy.
The famous Mount Cook - New Zealand - from the…
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Seventy-seven year old George Urioste, June, 2014. Castle Rocks State Park.
Seventy-seven year old George Urioste, June, 20…
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Marshall Miller, Lone Peak summit, July, 2014.
Marshall Miller, Lone Peak summit, July, 2014.
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Seriously, is there any better single pitch climb than Skyline?<br> <br> Drone shot - Oct 2014
Seriously, is there any better single pitch cli…
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September 1982: Just lead the Tulgey Wood on Devils Tower with one #9 and one #10 hexes. A little under racked for the 160' 3rd pitch!
September 1982: Just lead the Tulgey Wood on D…
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June 1974: Northwest Face Half Dome. A poor picture, but an amazing spot that is no longer there. The ledge and chimney on pitch 11 of the regular NW face of Half Dome completely fell off.
June 1974: Northwest Face Half Dome. A poor p…
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This 'stuff' just gets harder and harder - but I can't quit. At my age (63 in photo), I pay a price for any of the physical routes I tangle with.<br> <br> After getting spanked on an 11c.
This 'stuff' just gets harder and harde…
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Talk about some history and friends. Urioste's, June 2016 City of Rocks.
Talk about some history and friends. Urioste&#…
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Duane Ackerman:<br> <br> This guy has been flying under the radar for years, but is a prolific climber and creator of dozens of fun new routes in COR and Castle Rocks Idaho.
Duane Ackerman: This guy has been flying und…
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September 2016 climbing at City of Rocks with Andy Cairns (and little Joe)<br> <br> Dave Vaughan Photo
September 2016 climbing at City of Rocks with A…
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November 1994 - Prodigal Sun. The start of a decade of big walling in Zion. Love this place, did 20 plus walls. Always fixed and fired and spent the nights in Springdale hotels and dinners at the Pizza Noodle or Bit and Spur.
November 1994 - Prodigal Sun. The start of a d…
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Joseph Henry Miller - but we call him 'Pete' <br> <br> Castle Rock Parking Lot.
Joseph Henry Miller - but we call him 'Pete'…
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Seventy-two year old Martin Bennett from England saying: "he doesn't think he will need much of the rack for the next pitch"!
Seventy-two year old Martin Bennett from Englan…
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Miller Clan: behind Castle Rock on a rainy spring day
Miller Clan: behind Castle Rock on a rainy spri…
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Senior Games - The 66 to 73 year old club.
Senior Games - The 66 to 73 year old club.
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Bryce Thatcher: Started climbing with me when he was 13 in 1975. Set the record for the round trip Grand Teton when he was 18, set a new record 3 years later at 21. His record run/climb stood for 29 years at 3:06. Still climbing in Snow Canyon today.
Bryce Thatcher: Started climbing with me when…
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Son Marshall (in between BASE jumps) and the 'old man' on top of Falzarago Grande
Son Marshall (in between BASE jumps) and the 'o…
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The Alvera Route on Mount Averau (Dolomites). So good I did it twice on the same day a year apart. Can't wait to do it again. <br> <br> Photo by Marshall Miller
The Alvera Route on Mount Averau (Dolomites).…
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Happy 83rd birthday Jorge, and celebrating ON TOP OF Office Party, Lime Kiln Canyon
Happy 83rd birthday Jorge, and celebrating ON T…
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Rob McDonald on 'Hero'', Snow Canyon. Photo by Marshall Miller.
Rob McDonald on 'Hero'', Snow Canyon. Photo by…
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Hey, lets go climbing. It'll be a blast! Blair Rich sporting a new rack.
Hey, lets go climbing. It'll be a blast! Blai…
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