I’m pleased and honored to have one of my favorite photographs of Steph Davis chosen for the March 2013 cover of Climbing Magazine.  The photo shows Steph waltzing up a classic Steve Hong route “Glad To Be A Trad” (rated 5.13) in Utah’s Mineral Bottom just outside the boundary to Canyonlands National Park.  It was photographed for my book Women Who Dare, which features Steph along with nineteen other inspiring women climbers, and will be published this coming November by Falcon/Globe Pequot Press.

One of the coolest things about being a photographer is when a client picks the best image and uses it in a compelling way.  This spring I had the privilege of working with Steph Davis, one of the most talented climbers I know, and someone who is committed to excelling in her career as a professional athlete. Steph knew of a stunning Steve Hong route called “Glad to Be a Trad” located near Canyonlands National Park she thought would make great imagery.  She and her husband, world class B.A.S.E. jumper, Mario Richard, and I spent a morning rigging and working the route, but realized the sun was approaching too quickly to get the shot we really wanted.  So we came back at dawn the next day and nailed the image.  I’m delighted to see Evolv make such great use of our efforts.  They’re also producing a poster of the shot, so if you’re planning on attending the summer Outdoor Retailer show, stop by their booth, and pick one up.  If you’re lucky Steph will be there to sign it.

Simultaneously Japan’s Rock and Snow Magazine featured another of my photographs on their October cover.  This time it was the lovely and talented Sasha DiGiulian demonstrating “Climbing Joy” while swinging from a hold on “Golden Boy” (13b) at Kentucky’s Red River Gorge.  Rock and Snow liked this shot so much they also made a poster of it, and featured an entire gallery of my women rock climbing images inside the magazine.

There’s no doubt we’re going to see and hear lots more about Sasha in the coming years. Not long after these magazines went to press Sasha sent the hardest sport route ever climbed by an American women— a 14d in the Red River Gorge.  Read all about that ascent as well as Sasha’s other accomplishments in an upcoming issue of America’s Rock and Ice Magazine in a profile by Executive Editor Alison Osius.