A portrait of Connor Herson.
  • Empath (5.14d on gear), Tahoe, CA
  • Free climbing The Nose (VI 5.14a), El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, CA at age 15
  • Free climbing the Salathé Wall (VI 5.13b), El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, CA
  • 50 5.14’s before turning 18
  • Onsighting several 5.13 multi-pitch climbs
  • 2 USA Climbing youth national titles in lead
  • FA of Underage Linking (5.14d sport), Jailhouse Rock, CA
  • FA of Arsonist (5.14d sport), Jailhouse Rock, CA
  • FA of Kilogram (5.14 mixed), Tuolumne, CA

Born into a climbing family, Connor has been hooked on climbing from a young age. He enjoys pretty much any style—big walls, single pitch trad, bouldering, sport climbing, competition climbing, and all-day backcountry climbs. He's lived in the Bay Area his entire life and he climbs as much as possible, whether in the gym or at local crags. He is best known for hard trad climbs and big wall free climbing—he became the youngest person to free climb the Nose on El Cap at age of 15 and recently made the first gear ascent of Empath (5.14d)—but he also tries to stay well-rounded by switching disciplines based on his motivation. Outside of climbing, Connor is currently a student at Stanford University and feels as driven to pursue his academic interests as he does to climb. 

“The Stance Belay Pants are incredibly warm and comfortable for cold days at the crag—I can belay friends on their projects without losing my warmup!”

- Connor Herson

Climb

Black Diamond Athlete Connor Herson climbing in Yosemite National Park, CA.