The mate man himself, Wes Walker. Wes is the dude you arbitrarily stumble upon during an afternoon bouldering sess..by the time evening rolls around, you'd swear you've known the guy for years. Fueled by the nougatocity of Snickers, yerba mate brewed via Jet Boil french press, American Spirits, and some cali tree, Wes exhibits a constant state of psyche incomparable to the acclaimed "lifestyle climbers" I've met. In the deep, indefinite religion that is climbing , Wes Walker is the prophet of meniacal, try-hard night sessioning. With the limitations associated with springtime temps, a petzl headlamp and propane-fueled lantern may be the necessary means to getting the job done. Late one Sunday night in mid-March, Wes texted me at 3am. The text confirmed that he had just made it to the top of his long term project (Fresh Water V10, Rumbling Bald, NC). For Wes, being emotionally invested is a healthy part of the process, rather than creating anxiety or jeopardizing aspects of the "real world". Despite the tedious drive home to Charleston, SC and having work in the early morn, Wes remained ecstatic about his efforts. It appears that climbing hard and exhibiting a sense of multi-dimension can be achieved..with the expense of a good night's sleep and some hard earned gas money.
Wes Walker..legend, mentor, and friend
(No he's not dead, I just won't have the chance to see him for a while) |
