Gunsmoke Traverse, Joshua Tree National Park

36" x 24" print.
 
When I worked for Patagonia retail, I really got into climbing, and J-Tree was a place I visited frequently with friends and store customers. Gabe would come into the Santa Barbara store a lot. Lots of climbers did, not coincidentally, right when the new Climbing magazines dropped, so they could sit down in the book section, read the magazine, talk about climbing gear/trips and drink coffee. I love how retail stores can be a part of the community in this way.
 
So this is a photo of Gabe bouldering a classic traverse, Gunsmoke, an 85-foot, V3 route. It started snowing, and he loved the cold air because he could grip the sandpaper-like granite better. He must have traversed it 5-6 times. He was a beautifully gifted climber and I loved watching him as much as I loved watching Ron Kauk, Michael Jordan or Rudolph Nureyev in person.
 
You can tell when someone was born to do something they love and it's pure joy watching them do it. Here's a nice video (not mine) of another climber flashing the route, in case you're curious.
 
Ten percent of proceeds go to The Access Fund for the important work they do to protect the sport and outdoor places we love.