We began technical rock climbing in 2005 by completing the Basic, Anchors, and Lead Climbing classes through the Arizona Mountaineering Club.  We have since assisted in teaching these classes and are taking over as lead instructors for the Anchors class.  As approved outing leaders for the club, we currently volunteer to lead groups of people on climbing adventures around Arizona.  We have enjoyed hundreds of climbs in at least 17 different locations around Arizona, Colorado, and California, and continue to explore new places every weekend.

An obsession?  We like to think of it as a passion. J

In addition, we have entered the amazing world of ice climbing, both single pitch and multi-pitch routes.  Last but not least, we have been certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.

Justin has some additional backpacking and mountaineering experience under his belt (or harness, as it may be).  Over the past 6 years, he has backpacked over 1700 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail, 200 miles in Nepal, 100 miles in the Grand Canyon, as well as smaller trips in Arizona, Colorado, Arkansas, Iowa, Utah, and South Dakota.  He has been lucky enough to climb Mount Rainier, Adams, Hood, and various 14ers in Colorado.

Now insert a trip with YOU here!

"The best climber in the world is the one who's having the most fun."
Alex Lowe

About the "J-Team"

Jason:

Why do I climb?  There are a variety of reasons.  I am an ex-college athlete that is looking for new challenges, and found it in rock climbing.  There is the challenge of pushing yourself harder and further.  Through climbing, I continually test my endurance, physical and mental strength, problem solving and overcoming fears.  Yet, I climb for other reasons as well.  It is a continual learning experience that gets to be shared with friends and new acquaintances.  It teaches one to learn to trust others because your life is in the hands of someone else.  There is also the joy and excitement of seeing new places and reaching new summits.  The sense of peace that one achieves through accomplishment and through wandering to places where not many others go; striving to be one with nature and enjoying the tranquility and peacefulness of it all.  Being away from the city and enjoying the sunset, sunrise and seeing the stars at night.  There is also the joy of teaching others this skill and seeing the excitement on their face as they reach the top of a climb and realize what they just did.  Can you ask for much more?

"Disobey. Defy. Take your own time. Fly."
Anne Clark

Justin:
Climbing has become more than just a physical activity with an adrenaline rush…for me it is an experience that encompasses many realms of my being.  I consider myself extremely fortunate to express the freedom of my body and spirit through climbing…to have the opportunity to stand on remote summits, surrounded by silent beauty, and yell at the top of my lungs…to take on adventures of endless variety and location, each providing a new experience, challenge, sight, lesson…to forge amazing friendships as I give up control and trust my life in the hands of my partner…to respect the fragility of life, thus enhancing my appreciation…to quiet my mind, achieve focus, and be completely in the moment.  When I reach a summit, my mental and physical resources are tapped – the slate wiped clean – allowing room for positive, centering energy.  The adventure is life; our stage is the world, and climbing the outlet. 

"You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know."