Author Archives: mallorie estenson

Yosemite

For years, I told myself that I wasn’t going to visit Yosemite until I was a solid 5.11 climber. That was dumb.

The Picket Range

“Because of the rugged terrain, the Picket Range has remained the wildest and most unexplored region in the North Cascades. It is not an area for the wilderness novice; its isolated bushy valleys and jagged ridges are a test for the most seasoned mountaineers. The length of climbs, combined with steep mixed terrain and variable conditions demands all-around competence and fitness.”

Welcome to Alaska (aka Crevasse Whip)

The fall stopped just as quickly as it had started and I found myself slumped over, hanging in my harness deep inside a crevasse. I thought to myself: that’s quite the welcome to Alaska.

The Birthday Tour: Washington Pass

Hey world, it’s me again. Today, I asked folks on Instagram what they wanted to read in a blog post and the results are suggesting that folks want more trip reports, some climbing stories, a few skiing stories and lots of pretty pictures. My goal here is to write stuff you actually want to read.Continue reading “The Birthday Tour: Washington Pass”

Utah: A travel blog about 26 hours of Greyhound hell

The Climbing Part After five years of climbing, I finally made it to Indian Creek. The first day, I ran along the base of Supercrack Buttress and put my hand or fingers into every crack within reach. I noticed that as I pulled down, it felt like the sandstone pushed back. Everything felt incredibly climbable.Continue reading “Utah: A travel blog about 26 hours of Greyhound hell”

Gusher

You could say I’m exuberant when I get to talk about climbing. And you’d be right. This weekend, I basically exploded my love of climbing and eagerness to pursue guiding all over a colleague at Mountain Madness. My social-awareness filter tried to flicker on a few times during that conversation, but my enormous stoke overpoweredContinue reading “Gusher”

Awakening

In my mind, I stand at a stony precipice looking down into inky blackness. Above me, the stars shine brightly, beautifully. All is quiet and well up there. I feel a gurgling inertia in my chest. I wish to slip into the darkness, sound into sleep, but the untamed faucet of my thoughts pounds myContinue reading “Awakening”

Thanks, Guys

SATURDAY One after another, I watch the guys throw big tricks off an improvised jump. I often volunteer to film them partially to support them, but mostly because I’m in awe of what they can do. Before I get into position and pull my phone out, they tell me that I have to hit theContinue reading “Thanks, Guys”