Biography

I've spent my life in the wilderness. Whether hunting with my dad, finishing with my grandma or walking our ancestral trails in remembrance of traditions lost. But over the years, nothing drove me back into the hands of our mother as often as bouldering. It's raw, it's powerful, it's delicate, it's scary, it's pure. After years of sampling the best Bishop had to offer and not really finding a comfortable space in the climbing community, I turned to the vast fortress of unclimbed stone that remained in Payahuunadu to keep the fire stoked. After developing hundreds of boulders, it seemed like publishing a guidebook was the next step, a task I would pursue for 2 seasons. Yet, in 2015, a decision was made to halt further work due to the boom of bouldering and its detrimental affect on the critical environments and cultural resources that define our home. Moving on from the guidebook left a void in my accomplishments and contributions as a climber, I needed a renewed purpose. At this time I became increasingly involved in tribal politics as my nation was in great turmoil and it became clear that my contributions would no longer solely belong to the climbing community or culture, but also to my own. From this realization, and much hard work from my family and allies at the Payahuunadu alliance, my climbing and culture program (Sacred Sight) arose and flourished in the coming years.

ATHLETE MENTORSHIP INITATIVE