Discovering Remote Alpine Trad in U.S.A.
Brittany Goris talks about climbing in the Wind River Range, being the only woman among a group of male climbers and about committing big wall free routes
Brittany Goris recently visited Mount Hooker in Wyoming’s Wind River Range to climb established gear routes. The area is one of America’s best backcountry alpine zones with a climbing history that goes back decades. Goris, who has climbed 5.13+ mand 5.14- cracks, had never visited such a remote climbing area. To reach the Wind River Range requires a long approach and the routes are rarely climbed. Like the Tonquin Valley in Jasper National Park, a trip to the Winds is an adventure.
During her visit, Goris got on several climbs, including The Optimist, a 12-pitch 5.12, and Gamblin’ in the Winds, a 14-pitch 5.12R. Adam McClatchie has made a short film about Goris’s trip through Mile High Media House, which you can watch below.
“This short film tells the story of an adventure that captured everything that matters most to me in climbing,” said Goris. “It’s about honouring the legacy of those that came before me, and hopefully leaving something of my own to hopefully inspire those that follow. It’s about overcoming my own doubts and fears about belonging in the mountains, and above all it’s about passionately chasing a dream in the company of the best of friends. If any of this resonates, we’d always love your help sharing the video”
Goris grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, and began climbing at age nine when her mother, Lorraine, took her to Inner Strength climbing gym. She went on to become a competition climber and podiumed at a number of comps, including a Canadian Tour de Bloc. Over the past few years, she’s climbed some of the U.S.A.’s hardest trad routes, including East Coast Fist Bump 5.14a, Stingray 5.13d, and Salathé Wall VI 5.13b on El Capitan.
Hooked on the Winds
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