August 1, 2019
Back in 2016 I started Common Climber to accomplish three things:
(1) Create an outlet for my own constant, bubbling desire to write about climbing;
(2) Provide a platform for other climbing-writers to share their experiences without having to maintain a website, or if they had a blog/website, provide another means of exposure for their other work; And,
(3) Have an alternative, positive resource focused on crushing 5.fun. Since plenty of other magazines focus on the hard-core crushing, Common Climber is a place to talk about “other stuff.”
I have been dedicated to Common Climber for over 3 years now, personally paying for its expenses and posting new material, written by me and many others, each month.
Back in 2016 I started Common Climber to accomplish three things:
(1) Create an outlet for my own constant, bubbling desire to write about climbing;
(2) Provide a platform for other climbing-writers to share their experiences without having to maintain a website, or if they had a blog/website, provide another means of exposure for their other work; And,
(3) Have an alternative, positive resource focused on crushing 5.fun. Since plenty of other magazines focus on the hard-core crushing, Common Climber is a place to talk about “other stuff.”
I have been dedicated to Common Climber for over 3 years now, personally paying for its expenses and posting new material, written by me and many others, each month.
Stefani Dawn, the creator and Editor-in-Chief of Common Climber, getting ready to climb at her home crag, Red Rock Canyon, NV.
Photo Credit: Lady Lockoff
Although Common Climber is and has been a passion, it has also been a side-project. I own another climbing business, Climb-On Maps, which takes my time and mental “business” energy. Common Climber was my climbing creative outlet. When I started Common Climber, I approached it very simply. I haven’t paid for advertising. I haven’t “optimized SEO.” I haven’t chased links and shout-outs. Even though Common Climber also has social media accounts, I haven’t really utilized those either. I had a limited personal bandwidth and, as a result, I refused to do anything with Common Climber that didn't bring me joy. If Common Climber grew, then it grew. Over time, I am grateful to say, Common Climber has grown a strong and steady audience in a very organic fashion – slowly, with people stumbling across our articles via web searches. Even though I’ve known I could do more with Common Climber, I have been content with the status quo. Then came Dave Barnes - a long-time Aussie climber and writer who submitted some wonderfully creative work to Common Climber. |
Dave at Mount Wellington, Tasmania, Australia, home.
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But Dave didn’t just share amazing and entertaining writing, he shared ideas for how Common Climber can engage with more of the climbing community. He also expressed his enthusiasm for Common Climber and what it represents. He said, “"I respect Common Climber as Stef has worked very hard to bring our community a magazine that celebrates all climbers, particularly the weekend warriors, the newbie and the climbers who want to tell their stories. It's a magazine that makes climbers feel welcome."
Dave engaged with me and planted a seed that this platform could provide multiple, creative, ways to connect to each other as climbers and for the “rest of us” to meaningfully express our experiences and love of climbing.
I didn't jump right away on Dave's suggestions. Instead, I allowed his ideas to grow in my imagination. Then, one day, I felt a shift. With his continued communications and submissions, I suddenly felt as if I was no longer alone in this endeavor. I got excited – re-ignited. I recognized that, with Dave’s help, vision, and fresh energy, it was time for Common Climber to reach beyond. It was time for me to step beyond and add new ideas and visions. But I didn't want to do this alone, so I invited Dave to join Common Climber as an Assistant Editor.
Dave will be an awesome addition to Common Climber. He is a man with a long climbing history, creative writing skills, and vibrant personality. Dave has also overcome a brain injury, persevering in the face of life's challenges, and returning to climbing as a core-soul-feeder. Please, take a moment to read a little more about Dave, as well as, check out his story this month - Things of Stone and Wood.
We’d also love to connect more with you, our audience. Do you have a climbing story that involves a tree? If so, please share your own image and/or short “climbing-tree-story” on our Facebook page via the post that features “Things of Stone and Wood.”
So this month, August, I begin the expansion of Common Climber by introducing you to Dave and his new role. But over the next coming months and beyond, you will see new forums for climbing expression.
We sincerely hope you enjoy and participate in the upcoming additions, as well as, continue to enjoy the new and previously written articles.
Thanks so much for hanging with us! And, if you appreciate what Common Climber represents or have a favorite article, please share it with fellow climbers.
Stef
P.S. A personal message to Dave: Hey Dave, thanks for waking me from my slumber. Welcome to Common Climber!
Dave engaged with me and planted a seed that this platform could provide multiple, creative, ways to connect to each other as climbers and for the “rest of us” to meaningfully express our experiences and love of climbing.
I didn't jump right away on Dave's suggestions. Instead, I allowed his ideas to grow in my imagination. Then, one day, I felt a shift. With his continued communications and submissions, I suddenly felt as if I was no longer alone in this endeavor. I got excited – re-ignited. I recognized that, with Dave’s help, vision, and fresh energy, it was time for Common Climber to reach beyond. It was time for me to step beyond and add new ideas and visions. But I didn't want to do this alone, so I invited Dave to join Common Climber as an Assistant Editor.
Dave will be an awesome addition to Common Climber. He is a man with a long climbing history, creative writing skills, and vibrant personality. Dave has also overcome a brain injury, persevering in the face of life's challenges, and returning to climbing as a core-soul-feeder. Please, take a moment to read a little more about Dave, as well as, check out his story this month - Things of Stone and Wood.
We’d also love to connect more with you, our audience. Do you have a climbing story that involves a tree? If so, please share your own image and/or short “climbing-tree-story” on our Facebook page via the post that features “Things of Stone and Wood.”
So this month, August, I begin the expansion of Common Climber by introducing you to Dave and his new role. But over the next coming months and beyond, you will see new forums for climbing expression.
We sincerely hope you enjoy and participate in the upcoming additions, as well as, continue to enjoy the new and previously written articles.
Thanks so much for hanging with us! And, if you appreciate what Common Climber represents or have a favorite article, please share it with fellow climbers.
Stef
P.S. A personal message to Dave: Hey Dave, thanks for waking me from my slumber. Welcome to Common Climber!