Last summer I was sitting at a picnic table in Yosemite while our son was playing with his friends and the Chief Ranger walked up to me. I spent my first ten years in Yosemite living in fear of rangers, audibly saying “ranger danger” every time I saw one. (I had to stop saying that when our son was three because he started repeating it at playdates, which was awkward at best.) I’d be lying if I didn’t immediately start sweating as Kevin walked up to me, but I quickly reminded myself he and his family had been up at our place a few days earlier for dinner, all was okay. “What do you think about the Park Service working with the climbing community to help educate new climbers on some safety measures? We’ve had such an increase in deaths in the past handful of years and we’d love to try and help if we can.” I stared at him, dumbfounded at how much had changed with climber/Park relations. And so this project was born. Together with @yosemiteconservancy @yosemitenps @louderthan11 @emilyaharrington YMS and @tommycaldwell these videos were created that help address some of the most common reasons for climber deaths. What struck me when hearing the SAR reports was how often I had been in similar situations as the accidents. Until recently, I didn't use a third hand while rappelling, and there have been many situations where I was in too much of a hurry, or too cocky to tie a knot at the end of my rope. There’s power in education. We don’t have a big enough ratio between mentors and newcomers these days to try and cover all the bases. Along with guide services and clinics, hopefully these videos can help in a small way. Be sure to check Tommy’s and Emily’s videos too, on their pages or @yosemiteconservancy channel. Swipe to see all three of mine. And, if you are like me and started climbing in Yosemite during the very acrimonious years between climbers and rangers, we're so lucky in how far we've come, no need to whisper “ranger danger” as they drive past anymore. // @outdoorresearch @yeti @metoliusclimbing @touchstoneclimbing @ospreypacks @goclimbon @lasportivana