Kevin Jorgeson

Kevin Jorgeson
Name	Kevin Jorgeson
Birth date	1984
Birth place	Santa Rosa, California, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Rock climber
Known for	Free climbing the Dawn Wall (with Tommy Caldwell)

Kevin Jorgeson is an American rock climber and speaker known for his role in the first free ascent of the Dawn Wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. He rose from youth climbing in Northern California to international prominence through big-wall free climbing, media appearances, and advocacy for outdoor recreation. Jorgeson's career intersects with leading figures and institutions in climbing, rescue organizations, and outdoor industry brands.

Early life and education

Born in Santa Rosa, California, Jorgeson grew up in a region shaped by the Pacific Coast, Sierra Nevada, and national parks such as Yosemite National Park and Redwood National and State Parks. He began climbing as a child at local gyms and crags, influenced by climbers associated with Patagonia (company), Black Diamond Equipment, and communities around Tahoe National Forest. Jorgeson attended local schools in Sonoma County and trained alongside athletes connected to organizations like the American Alpine Club and programs linked to the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. His early mentors and partners included regional climbers who later became figures in guide services and instructional programs tied to institutions such as REI and the Access Fund.

Climbing career

Jorgeson's competitive and expedition climbing career developed through relationships with prominent climbers and guides from the Yosemite climbing community, including collaborations with athletes connected to Tommy Caldwell, Alex Honnold, Chris Sharma, Lynn Hill, and Yuji Hirayama. He participated in traditional, sport, and big-wall disciplines that intersected with events organized by bodies like the International Federation of Sport Climbing and festivals at venues such as the U.S. National Whitewater Center and climbing gyms owned by companies like Planet Granite. His work with outdoor brands led to sponsorships from firms including Patagonia (company), Five Ten (brand), and La Sportiva, and he contributed to initiatives involving the Outdoor Industry Association and environmental groups like the Sierra Club.

Dawn Wall ascent

Jorgeson gained international recognition during a multi-week 2015 attempt to free climb the Dawn Wall of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, a route first scouted in long-term projects by figures linked to the Yosemite climbing community and media coverage in outlets such as National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC News, The Guardian, and Outside (magazine). Partnered with Tommy Caldwell, whose prior history involved notable ascents and events such as the Fitz Roy expeditions and the Karakoram region, Jorgeson worked pitches rated at the highest difficulty of the era and pioneered sequences comparable to historic climbs by Alex Honnold and Chris Sharma. The team’s ascent involved logistical coordination with entities such as the National Park Service and garnered attention at film festivals that featured documentaries associated with producers who had ties to Red Bull Media House and National Geographic Documentary Films. The final push included public interest and support from climbers like Jimmy Chin and agencies represented by GoPro, further amplifying the achievement across international sports and outdoor communities.

Other notable ascents and achievements

Beyond the Dawn Wall, Jorgeson completed significant climbs at venues connected to the global big-wall canon, including routes in the Czech Republic and European crags frequented by climbers like Adam Ondra and Stefan Glowacz. He made ascents in alpine terrain such as the Patagonian Andes alongside mountaineers associated with expeditions to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, and participated in aid and rescue training with organizations like National Park Service rangers and the Yosemite Search and Rescue team. Jorgeson’s achievements placed him among peers recognized by awards and institutions including the Piolets d'Or community, outdoor media accolades from Climbing (magazine), and profiles in documentary circuits alongside filmmakers like Jimmy Chin and producers linked to NEP Group.

Media, publications and public speaking

Jorgeson has appeared in documentary films and televised interviews produced by outlets such as National Geographic, NBC Nightly News, CBS News, ESPN, and Netflix-associated projects. He collaborated on feature-length storytelling with photographers and filmmakers such as Jimmy Chin and distributors with ties to Universal Pictures and streaming platforms represented by Amazon Studios. Jorgeson delivered keynote addresses and talks at venues including universities connected to Stanford University, outdoor industry summits organized by the Outdoor Industry Association, corporate events for companies like Patagonia (company) and REI, and conferences featuring speakers from organizations such as TED Conferences. He has contributed essays and articles to magazines like Outside (magazine), Climbing (magazine), and outlets tied to National Geographic Partners.

Personal life and advocacy

Jorgeson is active in advocacy for access, stewardship, and youth climbing programs, working with organizations including the Access Fund, the American Alpine Club, and local chapters of the Sierra Club. He supports initiatives for adaptive climbing and community outreach that involve partners such as the Special Olympics and educational programs affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America and university outdoor clubs at institutions like University of California, Berkeley. Jorgeson resides and trains in regions of California near climbing hubs associated with Yosemite National Park and outdoor industry centers like Boulder, Colorado and the San Francisco Bay Area, and remains engaged with conservation, climbing safety, and mentorship networks across international climbing communities.

Category:American rock climbers Category:Living people