Yvon Chouinard

Inspiring Challenger

Yvon and I met for the first time at Camp 4 in Yosemite valley in 1977. Almost 40 years later our paths crossed again.

Mountaineering, the Outdoor industry and certainly the world have changed significantly since then. Nothing is more important to me then staying true to the values and ethos shaped while climbing and mountaineering back in those days!

I was only 21 years old when I climbed the Triple Direct and did not speak English then. Yvon invited me to check out his factory in Ventura. I was inspired by the free climbing movement of that time and was equally inspired by the products Yvon was bringing to market. In fact, I became the first importer of Chouinard equipment in 1978 in Switzerland.

Being photographed is definitely not a passion of Yvon’s. Thank you so much, Yvon, for your trust!