Editorial for the "Overcoming Boundaries" Edition
​Stefani Dawn, Editor-in-Chief

Sometimes I wonder about choosing the name Common Climber for this magazine. Everyday each of us strives, in some way, to step outside of the shadows and be seen.

​It’s a natural desire to escape the perception of boundaries that we place upon ourselves when we associate with being “common.” But being “common” does not mean we lose our unique place in this world, it means we personally recognize our own value even if it does not propel us to “fame” or whatever metric the outside world thrusts upon us.

​One commonality we all share is struggle, although each of our struggles is different. Every one of us is pushing, punching, clawing, or maybe even cleverly side-stepping, a boundary of some sort. That boundary may be physical, mental, emotional, or all of the above. It maybe placed upon us by ourselves, our family, or our society.

There is no comparing one person’s struggles to our own – by doing so it devalues both their experience and our own. But, there is supporting each other in our struggles and boundary pushing, saying things like “you got this,” “nice work,” or simply “I’m here for you.”
 
This October 2019 edition is about “pushing boundaries” and we have an amazing array of stories that illustrate how our individual struggles and boundary-pushing makes us both unique and beautifully common. ​

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Photographer
Brook Anderson
Portland, OR (Formerly Las Vegas, NV)

See that awesome image at the top of the page? As well as this photo to the left? Those are by Brook Anderson, formerly of Las Vegas, NV and recent transplant to Portland, OR. Brook has a great eye and a smart-ass sense of humor both of which show themselves in this interview. Explore some of Brook's other images and learn about some boundaries Brook has overcome in her climbing.  Here's a quote to get you started:
​"...in reality, everyone fucking sucks at climbing (except maybe Adam Ondra), and we are all struggling to send our projects and we’re all failing more than half the time, and it’s totally normal, and I needed to feel normal."

STORY:
The Tape Job 
By Jeff Smoot

Double amputee Hugh Herr experiences equipment malfunction while working on the First Free Ascent of the Leavenworth, WA roof crack "Early Morning Overhang/Flight of the Valkyries."

STORY:
Rock Type 1
By Susan Ramsey and Stephen Scott.

A rock-climbing family discovered their 7-year old son has type 1 diabetes. They learned to manage the disease while still engaging in rock and alpine climbing and they now share their knowledge and outdoors with others with type 1 diabetes through their non-profit Rock Type 1.  ​

BOOK REVIEW:
Hangdog Days: Conflict, Change, and the Race for 5.14 (Book by Jeff Smoot)
Review By: Stefani Dawn

I’m not sure why I got a wild hair and offered to do a book review... Occasionally, I attempt to read a book, but here’s what that looks like the majority of the time -- Chapter 1, page 10: I’m done... But, I’m guessing you know where this is headed. I actually finished the book. On top of that, I...

BOOK REVIEW:
Advanced Rock Climbing: Expert Skills and Techniques (Book by Topher Donahue)
Review By: Keith Bell

​Since the book is written with the intention of lifting your grade and improving your climbing it was refreshing to see that Topher does not suggest flinging yourself at climbs several grades above your current standard...

Louise Shepherd
Mt. Arapiles, Australia

Louise was one of the strongest female traditional climbers in the world in the 1980s, establishing numerous FAs and FFAs. Today, at 61, she still rock climbs and guides. ​​​

​Megan Banker
Portland, OR

Megan is a plus-sized climber who runs a "Plus-Size Rock Climbing Meetup" group to connect plus-sized climbers with each other and to experience the wonderful world of climbing. 

Shawn Axelrod
Boulder, CO

​Shawn has a congenital heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome which has progressed into congestive heart failure. Shawn has been climbing for over 30 years, but has had to make adjustments to his climbing over time because of his health. Shawn remains connected with his love of climbing through his eco-centered business called Climbing Addicts. ​