Tommy Caldwell: Good Yosemite Season has Shifted

Tommy Caldwell has spent hundreds, if not thousands, of days in Yosemite Valley, so if anyone has witnessed the changing of the seasons it’s him.

He recently took to social media to share his thoughts about the shifting of the good climbing season, the lack of snow and increased wild fires.

Caldwell wrote on Instagram, “I still consider Yosemite valley one of the most beautiful places in earth. But the effects of climate change here are shocking. In a few short years beetle kill has changed parts of the valley from a dense pine forest to a more open oak landscape.” Continue reading below.

I still consider Yosemite valley one of the most beautiful places in earth. But the effects of climate change here are shocking. In a few short years beetle kill has changed parts of the valley from a dense pine forest to a more open oak landscape. The Furgson Fire burned 96000 acres completely surrounding the community used to live in. The good climbing season has shifted by at least a month and snow rarely blankets the valley floor any more. It’s hard to find anyone these days who hasn’t experienced some “highly unusual” weather event. It doesn’t take much research to understand that symptoms like this at home are only the start. I used to consider humanitarian work more noble than environmental. Now I see them as one in the same. We need a healthy planet to thrive and right now our home is undeniably sick. I often ponder what it was about the Dawn Wall that moved so many people. It certainly wasn’t about the climbing. Maybe it was because the story was one of human compassion and dedicated pursuit of a dream. Everyone wants to find something to care deeply about. Maybe we should consider letting the threats to the survival of our planet and our fellow humans bring us to life.

A post shared by Tommy Caldwell (@tommycaldwell) on Dec 9, 2018 at 12:40am PST

Seven Caldwell Yosemite Sends

2003: West Buttress (FFA) VI 5.13c on El Cap
2004: Dihedral Wall (FFA) VI 5.14a on El Cap
2005: The Nose VI 5.14a on El Cap
2008: Magic Mushroom (FFA) VI 5.14a with Justen Sjong on El Cap
2012: Yosemite Triple Crown 5.13 with Alex Honnold
2015: Dawn Wall (FFA) 5.14d with Kevin Jorgeson on El Cap
2018: The Nose 5.9 C2 sub-two-hour record with Alex Honnold

The Dawn Wall is the number 1 doc on iTunes! And You can download it today!

A post shared by Tommy Caldwell (@tommycaldwell) on Nov 20, 2018 at 7:57pm PST