Your window into the stories, history, and ongoing work to preserve Yosemite’s climbing legacy.

A Note from the Editor

Fires erupted in California this week. On Sept. 4, ABC News reported:

Wildfires rage in the West from lightning, extreme heat fueling the flames

California fire officials report that nearly 17,000 lightning strikes hit the state within a 24 hour period, igniting wildfires in parts of the West Coast.

Also on Sept. 4, The Weather Channel reported:

California Wildfire Burns Homes In Historic Gold Rush Town… The fire, which remains fully uncontained, had burned nearly 11 square miles as of Wednesday night. The entire town of Chinese Camp, as well as numerous other surrounding areas, is under evacuation orders.

On Sept. 3, CAL Fire reported:

This series of fires within CAL FIRE/Tuloumne-Calaveras Unit contains 22 distinct fires that occurred around the time of a lightning storm that passed through the area

1-2 Fire: 20 acres
2-2 Fire: 3,463 acres / Visit the 2-2 Fire information page
2-3 Fire: 150 acres / Copper Cove Ct at Obyrnes Ferry Rd, Copperopolis
2-5 Fire: 5 acres
2-6 Fire: 5 acres
2-7 Fire: 458 acres / Visit the 2-7 Fire information page
2-8 Fire: 499 acres / Visit the 2-8 Fire information page
4-5 Fire: 3.25 acres / McCormick Meadows, South of Arnold
5-2 Fire: 15 acres / Lyons Bald Mountain Rd, Sonora
6-2 Fire: 884 acres / Old Don Pedro Rd, West of Jamestown
6-3 Fire: 5 acres
6-5 Fire: 6,473 acres / Visit the 6-5 Fire information page

In an email, Yosemite Mariposa Tourism Bureau wrote:

Highway 120 is closed between the Junction of SR 108 and the north Junction of SR 49 due to active wildfire activity. This closure impacts access to Yosemite National Park via Buck Meadows.

For visitors who planned on accessing lodging or businesses on Highway 120 in Buck Meadows or the Greely Hill or Foresta area, Highway 132 through Coulterville is a viable option.

Also in the news, on August 30, Leqi Zhong at The Sacramento Bee wrote, “Trump Administration Grant Funds Major Repairs at Yosemite National Park.” Zhong reports:

As the grant’s fifth fiscal year comes to a close, Yosemite National Park was allocated a total of nearly $447 million in grants, making it the second-largest beneficiary after Yellowstone National Park.

Some of the projects that received funding first have been completed or are nearing completion, such as the water system restoration project at Bridalveil Creek Campground in Yosemite and the repair of the road to Glacier Point. Meanwhile, several projects have recently been added to the park’s list, including the $239 million replacement of the El Portal Wastewater Treatment Plant, which just began the procurement process this summer.

In climbing news, this week, Lucie Rathbun, from the marketing and PR firm Backbone, shared a new film by Black Diamond called “Pirates Code.” She writes:

It tells the story of a line in Tuolumne that Mason Earle and Ben Ditto first opened up years ago, with the thought that it could become one of the hardest rigs in California. When Mason fell victim to chronic illness, his plans for the route hit a standstill, and he gave his blessing for the first ascent to young crusher Connor Herson. Connor nabbed the send in 2022 [calling it 5.14+], dedicating it to Mason as a way to carry on his legacy and carry out his vision.

Watch the video here and read more at Gripped.com.

Also in climbing media, Deadline reports:

Walton Goggins & Lewis Pullman Join Jessica Biel As Leads In ‘Batso’ About Trailblazing Climbers Who Took On El Capitan Peak … The film is based on the true story of Warren ‘Batso’ Harding and Dean Caldwell’s attempt to conquer ‘The Wall of Early Morning Light’.

This week brings not just one, but two feature stories, both in Q&A format. One was written by YCA Board Secretary Alison Waliszewski, who interviewed Emily Harrington about the new IMAX film in which she stars, Girl Climber. I also conducted a Q&A with New York Times climate correspondent David Gelles about his latest book on Yvon Chouinard, Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away. It’s #1 on Amazon’s New Releases in Environmental Economics.

Chris Van Leuven

Editor, Yosemite Climbing Association News Brief

YosemiteClimbing.Org

New York Times reporter and bestselling author David Gelles reveals how Patagonia became a global leader in doing well by doing good and how other companies are adopting its principles.

For Dirtbag Billionaire, why this story, why now?

This is a timeless story, but also one that has real resonance right now. People are hungry for good news stories, and this is a narrative that proves that there’s another way to run a company and another way to be a billionaire.

What was the process like?

I’ve known Yvon for more than a decade, and have covered Patagonia for almost as long. I broke the news that the Chouinards were giving away the company in 2022, and after that, I began work on the book. I traveled to Argentina, Chile, Peru, as well as Wyoming, Minnesota, Montana, and California, and I interviewed more than 100 people.

What was the hardest part about putting the book together?

Some books are hard to report. This one was honestly a joy. It was a ton of work, and I did lots of archival research. But none of it was particularly grueling.

Do you have a few favorite sections you’d like to share?

Definitely check out the early stories from Chouinard’s climbing days, and the chapter about his decision to give it all away. I also love the last section of the book when I go fishing with him in Patagonia.

Where can readers find it?

Available everywhere books are sold! Support your local bookstore!

PRESS RELEASE

Girl Climber | Emily Harrington Interview

September 1, 2025 – via email correspondence | Questions by YCA Board Secretary Alison Waliszewski

Q1. Your IMAX premiere just happened. What was it like to finally see your story on the big screen?

Honestly, it was a bit surreal and nerve-wracking. For some reason, the idea of people all over the country seeing it on the same day felt intimidating. In the end, though, it was very exciting, and I’m just super proud of everyone involved in making the film. They should all be so proud.

Q2. Golden Gate is a 41-pitch route on El Capitan. Looking back nearly five years later, what does that climb mean to you now?

I think I’m more proud of it now than I was then. After I did it, I actually hit a bit of a low point. Spending so long on a project and finally seeing it through can bring a comedown, and I definitely experienced that. Now, after becoming a parent and having some distance from the climb, I feel more proud and excited about what I accomplished than I did at the time.

Q3. The film shows both triumph and vulnerability. What do you hope audiences connect with most in your story?

I hope they connect with the idea that trying hard things—and being passionate and vulnerable about the things we care about—is a valuable and worthy endeavor. We don’t always get it right, and none of us is perfect, but if we keep trying, we might gain more than we thought possible and learn about ourselves in ways that are hard to access when we stay within our comfort zones.

Q4. As the movie expands beyond IMAX and into wider release, what do you hope new audiences—especially those outside the climbing world—will take away from it?

I’d say the same as before. I hope viewers are inspired to find their passions, try hard things, lean on their partners for support, sit with discomfort, failure, and struggle—and ultimately learn about themselves in the process.

Q5. What’s next for you…either on the wall or beyond climbing?

I’m still climbing a lot! At the same time, I’m balancing family, marriage, and career. We continue to push ourselves in all of those areas while still keeping it fun. :)