Cedar Wright

USA

Being that I was conceived in a school bus and raised on a hippy farm, it should come as no surprise that my parents named me Cedar, or that I ended up with a rather alternative philosophy system. Grounded in solid Bohemian roots, I saw no stigma with diving in dumpsters and groveling in the dirt. Immediately after getting my English degree, I moved into my truck and lived the "Dirt Bag American Dream" for most of my 20s. Being a poverty stricken homeless climber was the best decision I ever made. It allowed me the freedom to follow my passion for climbing to Yosemite, Baffin and beyond. I partook in wild rescues on El Cap while working for YOSAR, walked horrifying highlines, put up sick first ascents, broke speed records, free climbed El Cap in a day, and in the process paved the way for a career in climbing. Since then, I've been able to travel the world, climb full time, and, of equal importance, pursue other passions such as music, cinematography, and writing.

Birthday? March 16 1975

Year you first started climbing? I was 21 when I climbed my first rock with a rope on Moonstone Beach, however I soloed some pretty sick trees and fences as a child.

Three climbing achievements you are most proud of? • First ascent of the unclimbed ear of the Cat Ear Spires via The Epica Direct. • First ascent of the Uncertainty Principle on The Sentinel. • Free climbing the Freerider in a day with no falls.

Memory/story of the first time you ever went climbing? I remember climbing this 30-foot fence when I was probably about five. My mom said “Just don’t climb up if you can’t climb down.”… Words I still try to live by!

Favorite climbing area and why? Yosemite Valley. The beauty, the scale…the sheer bitchiness.  I also love Indian Creek for the splitterness!!

Best climbing experience? Some of my best climbing experiences have been ropeless on relatively easy routes with friends…racing and goofing around. The Royal Arches in Yosemite has probably given me more pleasure than just about any climb.

Worst climbing experience? A month in India with the puking vomiting blues…I climbed one boulder problem…it was pretty sick though!!!

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? The next one is the best one. I’ve been so lucky to travel the world…so it’s not so much the destination as it is who is along on the journey with you.

Guilty pleasure? Gummy products…bears, worms…and my favorite…the gummy octopus. I quit for a year and a half but recently had a relapse!

BD gear you use every time you go climbing? The Chaos, the Camalots, the Oz biners.

Something that annoys you while climbing? Barking dogs, crying babies, and short roping.

What/who inspires you in climbing? These days, I’m inspired by those that seem to be having a good time doing what they do, especially the old dads who are still milking adventure and joy out of climbing.

Favorite après-climb meal? Chili-Mac.

Favorite climbing flick? El Capitan

What's in your iPod? Passion Pit, Girl Talk, Atmosphere, Sasha, Doctor Octagon, Vampire Weekend, Bob Marley, and a whole lot of other stuff… we’re talking 120 GBs here.

Strangest place you've ever woken up? Frozen to sewage in a ditch

Strangest person you've ever woken up with? Myself.

Three things you'd never road trip without? A good book, a good friend and a good sense of humor.

What's your dream job? I’m living it.

How are you training when you are not climbing? Gym, mountain bike, run, eat well, but don’t take it too seriously… because it’s supposed to be FUN!

If you could steal one thing and not get caught, what would it be? Your face.

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? Tesla, Einstein, and Hendrix.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? No, I am a very pure person.