Connor Herson was born in it. The son of undercover Valley legend Jim Herson, he was climbing big walls when most kids were playing tee ball. By 14 he climbed 14.c. By 15 he free climbed the Nose. And now? Well, now he’s single-handedly ushering in the future of our sport by becoming a true hybrid mutant—a person who can climb 5.15 moves above a bolt or an offset Z4 with equal ease.

So, what does Connor do with these next level abilities? Try to climb the hardest trad routes in the world. In one season.

Buckle up. This is Born from the Climbing Life: Of Legacy and Lineage. Our spring campaign following Connor’s epic 2025 climbing season.