Kevin Jorgeson is widely recognized as one of the best big-wall rock climbers in the world, well known for being able to free climb sheer cliffs and high ball large boulders.

After a seven-year quest to find a way to free climb the steepest, blankest face of Yosemite’s monolithic El Capitan, Kevin, along with partner Tommy Caldwell, finally stood atop the Dawn Wall with the world watching. Even President Barack Obama was moved by their 19-day climb, stating, “You remind us that anything is possible.”

To accomplish the seemingly impossible feat, Kevin and Tommy spent 19 days living on the side of the 3,000-foot cliff of El Capitan, slowly but surely making their way with nothing but their grit, determination, and first-class skill keeping them moving upward. The story became a global inspiration, garnering over 34 billion media impressions, and was covered by every major news outlet, including The New York Times, National Geographic, TIME, Vanity Fair, Good Morning America, CNN, ESPN, and more.

To many, their first question is “Why do such a thing?” Oddly, climbing is in Kevin’s DNA but it doesn’t run in the family. Rather, it’s his passion for being in the outdoors mixed with a child-like curiosity for human limits that drives Kevin upwards. Kevin grew up spending time in the outdoors with his dad, hiking, white water rafting, fishing, hunting, and camping. At age 10, he discovered the sport of rock climbing and never looked back. By age 17, he was an International Champion and at age 30, Kevin is now one of the most widely recognized climbers in the world.

You can call Kevin a climber, an adventurer, an explorer, or even crazy. But, don’t call him a “daredevil” or “thrill seeker.” He would be the first to tell you that if you’re having an adrenaline rush while 3,000’ in the air, something is going wrong. Rather, the Dawn Wall is about partnership, adventure, optimism, determination, perseverance and the power of dreaming big. As Kevin shared with the world via Twitter just days before completing the climb: “This isn’t about conquering, it’s about realizing a dream.”

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