This is Michael
You may know him from the Source Climbing Center. Michael has a goal. Dark Tower, 5.13b. So Michael reached out to a couple old friends... Jason and Karissa. To make a plan.
Learn about his training and follow the journey here.
Introducing
Jason & Karissa
They're partners in a life currently on the road. Continually seeking a balance of work, climbing and two kids. So that requires constant planning. And while most things don't go as expected, they're still climbing and having fun.
Learn more and follow their stories here.
The Discussion
The Discussion
Every two weeks we connect via Zoom to discuss misadventures in training, life and climbing. Watch each video here or follow the playlist on YouTube.
Every two weeks we connect via Zoom to discuss misadventures in training, life and climbing. Watch each video here or follow the playlist on YouTube.
Climbing is INHERENTLY DANGEROUS.
The activates shared on this page carry significant risk of injury or death. Do not participate in these activities unless you are an expert, have sought and obtained qualified professional guidance or instruction, are knowledgeable about the risks involved, or are willing to assume responsibility for all the risks associated with these activities.
The Climb Factor
The Climb Factor
Follow these Instagram feeds for more specific training tips, tricks as we document the lessons learned.
Source Climbers: Jason Marshall and Karissa Dunbar
Jason and Karissa were introduced by Michael waaaay
back in 2003, when Karissa was working with Michael and Hans at the original PRG location. The friendships and belays have continued ever since - follow their family exploits on social media below!
Life lately: all of our free time is spent putting the pieces of @rifleclimbingcenter together! We effectively live there now. We have had the help of some freaking truly amazing individuals in our community and I feel so lucky to have these friends. I can't wait till we get to climb on these sweet boards! Also did I mention we have to move December 1st? It's fine. Totally fine.
Not pictured: so much lifting of heavy (usually awkwardly shaped) things.
@rifleclimbingcenter @jasonmarshallmortgage
#tired #boardgym #itsboulderingseason #goodlordbuildingagymishardwork #thankgoodnessforheidiandsteve
My epic insane work project is finally over and I feel like I'm actually beginning to catch up on life. As in, when I get some sleep I don't immediately ruin it with another stretch of 5am meetings or 6 hour meeting blocks. My brain is feeling connected to my body again. Hopefully I learn from this and figure out how to better establish those elusive work/life boundaries...
Sing It In Russian, 12B
#climbingisbetterthanworking #staycation #justintimeforfallshenanigans
PDX - the third installment. We're home now and recovering from the whirlwind. It always makes my heart so full and my energy levels so very drained. Family visits, my amazing cousin Angela's quilt work (you should check her out, she is so freaking talented, @every_tiny_piece ), a photo of the pre-All You Can Eat sushi bonanza that nearly ended in ruin because we ordered sooooooo many rolls, @kardar99 playtime, then cousin / great-auntie / double Evelyn visits.
PDX part deux. I told myself this time I would take photos at all the visits and I've done a pretty good job but good lord it's a lot of photos (and a lot of visits).
#allthefriendos #somanysnackssolittletime #eatmywayacrossportland #imtiredandactuallyquitefull
@eryngiumpapeterie is amazing, please go there!
@littledunbarfarmhouse @jasonmarshallmortgage
Official #dunbarshallbootcamp Summer Camp registration is live today! Secure your spot now for a better chance at a bed - all participants guaranteed to receive buttery smooth catches, unsolicited beta, excessive shenanigans and a damn good time.
@jasonmarshallmortgage
@teevsvo @wendylberry @jackandberniejourneys @sklarchitect @todddeweber @briansuntay
@nadyasuntay
#riflesummersarethebestsummers #grilleverything #guaranteedshenanigans
A mega-brief spring break packed to the gills.
Pacific northwesterly food consumed: mussels, dungeness crab dip, lobster risotto, hazelnut pancakes, tofu salad rolls, Nicky's barley soup, soup dumplings, many orders of salmon nigiri, brie fondue, and of course the IPAs and PNW white wines.
Who needs sleep with all that deliciousness? I should have taken more pictures because I definitely squeezed in about 3x as many visits as are pictured here. Next up: the Larys visit CO!
#pacificnwlove #alltheportlandfoods #neverenoughnigiri #imtired
Some shots from our two week Thanksgiving trip to visit friends and family in AR, MO, and KS. Glad to be home and even more glad to be staying put for Christmas - this year I had more trips than months, and the travel fatigue is real. Now we get to do some cozy small town holidays!
#itstheholidaysprint #winterbabies #nomoredriving #itsbeginningtolookalotlikechristmas
@jasonmarshallmortgage
Sitting here at my desk, daydreaming about vacations. This is from June when we went to Croatia. We hired a guide and climbed at a crag right outside Dubrovnik, along with a girl we'd met earlier in the week at a gym in Split, and she took this photo. I sometimes wish life could be only vacation, making new friends and gathering all the new life experiences there are to offer.
#stupidwork #necessary #werk #youcantseeallthesweatinthispicture #itwashot #ofcourseweclimbedonvacation
A huge thanks to @evolv_worldwide for a donation of 17 pairs of brand new climbing shoes for @mercycorpsjo climbing programs! Click the link in my bio for some more detail. These climbing shoes will be put to awesome use inside Za'atari Refugee Camp (and outside it!). Mercy Corps Jordan is using climbing to address psychosocial health in young people - you can help support too. Check out bit.ly/climbzaataricamp .
#climbzaatari #climbingjordan #mercycorps #climbing #bouldering #climbinginspiration #changetheworld #bethechange #climbingforgood
It's my birthday! I'm going to do that thing where I tell everyone to donate for my birthday. I know, it's cliché. But I'm doing it anyway. Mercy Corps is using rock climbing to help change lives in Za'atari Refugee Camp and outside it, in Jordan. It's two things I really love combined - I think it should be supported. You can donate to the fundraiser I've started via the link in my bio, if you feel so inclined (bit.ly/climbzaataricamp)! 🇯🇴 🙏 🧗♀️
#climbzaatari
#climbingjordan
#mercycorps
#climbing
#bouldering
#climbinginspiration
#changetheworld
#bethechange
@mercycorps @rockclimbingjordan @mercycorpsjo
Photo from UNHCR website of Za'atari Camp
It's been a whole year since Bryan died. It honestly still feels a bit like our paths just haven't crossed lately, like we haven't had time to sit down and catch up over a game of Catan. I miss his giggle and the adventures he planned (or arranged with little planning, as the case may be). Feeling loss hard today, and I'm glad that I get to be around some folks who also loved him lots.
❤️💔❤️
Shenanigans in Romania completed, we have hopped over to Greece for a 48 hour interlude. It's like our spiritual home, really, so how could we skip a short visit when we were so close??? Plus, octopus 🐙 and lefko krasi 🥂.
@jasonmarshallmortgage
#vacation #allthewine #greeceismyfavorite #iliotherapeia #retirementgoals
To celebrate 20 years together (this November), we are visiting my friend Paloma in Romania! Behold, a selection of shenanigans from the first two days. Now I can say I've been to Transylvania! Stay tuned for more ridiculousness.
#romaniamagica
#ilovepaloma #shenanigans #20years #i❤️vampires
@palomapapillon @brian_thomas_79 @jasonmarshallmortgage
This was 13 years ago today. I met this man when I was 22, which means that in November, we'll have spent 20 years adventuring together. So much has happened in that time, both ridiculously amazing and heartbreaking things. Super cheesy but true: I'm really lucky to have had him by my side for all of it. He's pretty great, just in case anyone hasn't noticed. ❤️
#rideordie #ridiculousness #alltheadventures
17 days - that's the most I've been home at one time between trips since October. Between work trips, climbing trips, holidays, and family visits, the last six months (seven?) feel a bit blurry. Here's one photo (or maybe two) for each trip I've taken since the year started (plus a bonus photo of friends traveling to us last week). Apparently you can take the girl off the road but not the road away from the girl? Or something? Also, I'm tired.
#roadlife #cocainebear #ilovemyfriends #addictedtotravel #climbingrocks #cantstopwontstop #dunsklarshallbootcamp
“From food insecurity to loss of educational opportunities, lack of safe water or health services, and high rates of gender-based violence, women and girls are facing the brunt of the [Syrian Refugee] crisis.” (UN Women)
Using rock climbing as a medium, Mercy Corps is empowering girls in Jordan. Through the Nature program, they learn to positively cope with stress, build personal resilience, and better prepare themselves to handle their uncertain future.
“Adventure and outdoor activities allowed the girls to become more confident in their bodies and identities as well as find new ways to deal with obstacles in their life.”
Click the link in my bio to donate to this incredible work or to find more info, like the full Nature Club video. Please like and share!
#climbzaatari
#climbingjordan
#mercycorps
#climbinglife
#climbing
#bouldering
#climbinginspiration
#changetheworld
#bethechange
@mercycorps @rockclimbingjordan @mercycorpsjo
Please donate and share for #climbzaatari .
Next week marks 12 years of war in Syria. Hundreds of thousands have been killed, and nearly 13 million people have been displaced. Last month, major earthquakes rocked northern Syria, impacting people already devastated by so many years of war and violence. Jordan hosts at least 600,000 of those displaced by violence from Syria. Half of the population of Syrian refugees are children.
I don’t normally share a lot about my work here on social media - I prefer to focus instead on my other passion (climbing). But the work happening in Mercy Corps Jordan is something I have to tell the world about. Our team in Jordan is using my favorite sport to change the lives of young people in Jordan and in Za’atari refugee camp. I’ve started a fundraiser to support their efforts - click the link in my bio for more detail and to donate.
#climbing #climbzaatari #climbingjordan #mercycorps #bouldering #climbinginspiration #changetheworld #bethechange
@mercycorps @mercycorpsjo @rockclimbingjordan
Scenes from that magical oasis @huecotanksstatepark . One week was just long enough to whet the appetite and renew the stoke. Also, photo proof I actually climbed some things!
📷s by @jackandberniejourneys & @sklarchitect
@wendylberry
@teevsvo
@chriskemler
#huecotanks #bouldering #cocainebear #theheatison #onlythebestcrew #betaspray #steepclimb #rooftechnicians #myskinhurts
Super extra awesome times with this excellent crew of people. I probably scared the entire crag with my enthusiasm. Also I'm a very serious spotter - you'll get mommed whether you like it or not!
#dunsklarshallbootcamp #huecotanksrocks #allthestoke #roofclimbing #momslashfriend
📷: @teevsvo and @jackandberniejourneys
A throw back to Jan 2022 with the Glushkos (see what I did there @briansuntay ?)... I miss these people and can't wait to visit this place again! Jason is there firing rigs right now and I'm experiencing all the jealousy.
@nadyasuntay
📷: Chris Kemler
#huecotanks #bouldering #briancrusheseverything #suntayspot #myfriendsrock #dunsklarshallbootcamp
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view." - Edward Abbey
Planning for a week in Hueco in T-minus 3 weeks. Looking forward to some sticky rocks, warm sunshine, and lots of laughter.
@teevsvo
@sklarchitect
@wendylberry
@jackandberniejourneys
#huecotanksrocks #iloverocks #rockclimbingrules #bouldertheworld #traveladdict
First (snowy) adventure times of 2023. A couple pretty chilly pitches with a nice winter trek. We capped it off with some sledding - not too shabby. Next up: a sleepover with (mostly) homemade pizza and a movie. 💥
@jasonmarshallmortgage
#cold #winterclimbing #wealreadybroketwosleds #coloradolife #smalltownsarecool #youshouldcomevisit
Thanksmas Part 2: Double Dunbar edition! Thanksgiving, early Christmas, Gila Cliff Dwellings, rock climbing, Santa visits, cuddles, real birthdays, weddings, shenanigans.
@littledunbarfarmhouse @jasonmarshallmortgage
#imtired #needvacationfrommyvacation #stillnotsending #holidayseasonisthebestseason #huecotanksrocks #holidaybabies #portlandyourenext
12 years ago today my little brother died. It's been so long and still sometimes seems unbelievable that this lovely human isn't here anymore. We've had a hard few years for losing loved ones. My sister's partner, my best friend's husband, my husband's best friend. Each one is different and terrible, and somehow each one also connects me back to this original grief, this first one that cracked my heart open. It's been a long time bro. Sometimes today doesn't hurt as much, and sometimes it's hard to think about anything else all day. I love you.
Well, the 2022 Rifle season was a bit of a bust for me (aka I didn't send s**t). Considering the events of the summer, that's okay. Luckily, we had lots of shenanigans, which is probably my favorite part anyway. I sure do wish that Bryan Caldwell was still around to have been part of them. Still having trouble wrapping my mind around a world without his brand of trouble in it. 💔
#shenanigans #dunsklarshallbootcamp #betterlucknextyear #bermpbermp
📷: @jackandberniejourneys
Been spending a quite a bit of time in the air lately. Luckily, the best of yayhoos have been around to keep me from getting bogged down in the falling and the gratuitous screen work time.
#dunsklarshallbootcamp #somuchfalling #drinkthekoolaid #imomeveryone #evenmyadultfriends #momslashfriend #cometocolorado
This is how we fuel.
.....
Biscuits and gravy have always been a Bryan Caldwell special. I had him teach me how to make it because I love it so much. He learned from his dad... Though Bryan probably would've wanted us not to use canned biscuits. 🤷♀️
Also, apparently I make ridiculous facial expressions in my sweet @physivantage tank.
#dunsklarshallbootcamp #iloveriflle #allthefalling #struggle
📷 3 by @teevsvo
These gentlemen. A little bit like how when you make friends with one Dunbar, you actually get two - that's how it was with Jason and Bryan. Doesn't really matter which of us instigated the adventures, we had lots of them, and they wouldn't have been complete without Bryan's special brand of ridiculousness. He was a part of my family, and I'm really going to miss him. If he was around he'd probably say we turn off our phones and go outside. Get lost in the woods. The best healing happens out there.
You win some, you lose some?
I'm practicing my dynamic and long movements, and this route was a really great example. Doesn't look like it should be hard, but it sure felt difficult to me. Gotta work on those ups!
#climbing #redrocks #cantjump #definitelydidntsend #kidsatthecrag #dunsklarshallbootcamp #craglife #roadlife #girlswhoclimb #getoutside
@source.climbing @physivantage
It's our happy Nomad-iversary! Today marks 2 years of roaming adventures, remote work and school, and being together all day every day 24/7.
PDX ➡️ WY ➡️ UT ➡️ CO ➡️ UT ➡️ PDX ➡️ TX ➡️ WV ➡️ KY ➡️ UT ➡️ CO ➡️ KY ➡️ TX ➡️ NM ➡️ PDX ➡️ TX ➡️ NV ➡️ UT ➡️PDX ➡️CO.
And a lot of other places on the way.
#climbing #kidsatthecrag #roadtrips #somuchstuff #dunsklarshallbootcamp #craglife #roadlife #girlswhoclimb #getoutside #momlife
@source.climbing @physivantage
Yesterday marked 12 years married, 18.5 years together with this guy! I hope our adventures together continue for another 20. Swipe for us as tiny children.
1: May 2022 in Las Vegas
2: Spring 2021 in WV
3: July 2020 in Utah
4: November 2017 in Arkansas
5: Summer 2016 in Portland
6: May 2010 in Yosemite
7: May 2010 in Yosemite
8: Summer 2006 in Greece
9: Spring 2005 in Colorado
10: Summer 2005 in Utah
Red Rocks is a pretty awesome place. I'm enjoying the desert spring... Though spring here feels like summer in the Pacific NW.
We just finished Moon Knight - how did he have time to be more than one person? I'm over here just me and have a to-do list with things on it from like 8 years ago. I mean, you know. That's clearly the part I should single out for believability.
📷 @kimbot2000
Red Rocks, Cannibal Crag
#climbing #redrocks #kidsatthecrag #neverendingtodolist #dunsklarshallbootcamp #craglife #roadlife #girlswhoclimb #getoutside #momlife #fitmom #fitfam
@source.climbing @physivantage
One of my favorite Atlas stories from the #dunsklarshallbootcamp : In October of 2020, when he was still 3 years old, we were having a tough morning. I had finally gotten him to put on his shoes, and as we were walking outside he told me firmly, "Mom, you're a DICK." Ooh boy. I gave him a very long lecture about why that was not okay, and after listening the whole time, nodding along, at the end he tells me, "Mom, I was GOING to say you're a-DICK-ted to kisses."
Pretty much sums this small clever child up, honestly.
#parenting #toosmartforhisowngood #roadlife #cragkids
Back to regularly scheduled programming! AKA pictures of rock climbing.
Have you met @sklarchitect ? Alex is roommate extraordinare in the #dunsklarshallbootcamp and probably has more nicknames than any of us. #brusband , #bruncle , Founder of Sklarbucks and inventor of the Sklash and the Sklonsight. Sklarfox, Alex Sklonnond (no relation), Sklondog Millionaire, drax them sklounce. I also call him Jalex Sklarshall because he and Jason are basically the same person.
Latergram from Hueco on That High Pro Glow, V6.
I'm about to stop spamming you with #magicmikelive content, I promise. But before I do - why am I it's biggest fan - besides the (13) obvious (mostly naked) reasons? It's super duper empowering, that's why. For a lady who wrote her senior college thesis about the myth of the slut, a giant franchise that is telling the world that female desire is healthy, acceptable, and even really fun speaks straight to my heart. The show (and the movies) are sexy and light-hearted and even a little bit silly, and every time I've gone or finished one of the films, I've thought - I want to do that again!
#MMLUnicorn
Despite what my current social media looks like, we have in fact still been climbing (just, you know, in between attendance at various @magicmikelive shows). Haven't sent this one yet, but I'm hoping to.
Scare Tactics Right, V8
📷: @jasonmarshallmortgage
@rodknee_bar with the spot
#puttinginwork #verysmallholds #dunsklarshallbootcamp #redrocks #itshotouthere
Does going 3 times in 3 weeks make me the biggest fan? I mean, it's one good indicator... And as long as @jakepgreen and @kalonb_sa are visiting, I'll be back, too! Sorry (not sorry) for the volume of the screams in the background. This show is too much fun!
#mmlunicorn @magicmikelive #magicmikelive
Tiny people enjoying tiny snacks. Evelyn is obsessed with this fuzzy pink llama sweater, and Atlas wears these red long johns as often as we'll let him regardless of weather - they're red ninja clothes. Obviously.
Thanks @squeasygear for the squeazy containers! They never leak - we've tried applesauce, milk, juice, you name it.
#alwayseating #neverenoughsnacks #climbing #huecotanks #kidsatthecrag #dunsklarshallbootcamp #bouldering #craglife #roadlife #girlswhoclimb #getoutside #momlife
These first two weeks in Vegas have been absolutely mega. Visits from the best of friends that we haven't seen in a decade. Pool parties, taco truck Tuesdays, shenanigans. There's been some climbing, but no sending (at least for team Dunbarshall), but I wouldn't have it any other way.
#friendos #bffs #shenanigans #climbing #redrocks #kidsatthecrag #dunsklarshallbootcamp #craglife #roadlife #getoutside
On the way to Vegas we splurged with a Grand Canyon stop! We got to see the sunset, and then may or may not have left the children sleeping in the hotel for a 4am moonset /stars viewing date. Gotta take those date nights how you can get them, you know?
#grandcanyon #darksky #dunsklarshallbootcamp #roadlife #vanlife #minivanlife #getoutside
When we meet new people on the road, they often ask if we live out of our van. I mean, technically the answer is yes... But probably not in the way people think! 🤣🤣🤣
#roadlife #whatisallthisstuff #onetonoftoys #climbing #kidsatthecrag #dunsklarshallbootcamp #craglife #girlswhoclimb #getoutside #momlife #vanlife
Yesterday was our last day climbing at Hueco Tanks. I'm sad to say goodbye to this magical place, but the lure of the road is hard to ignore... Vegas next for two months! Mostly for climbing. Only a very small amount of shenanigans.
#shenanigans #climbing #huecotanks #kidsatthecrag #dunsklarshallbootcamp #bouldering #craglife #roadlife #girlswhoclimb #getoutside #momlife
TBT to this industrious child, who has cornered the market on selling delicious things to climbers. This photo is from this spring in WV, when she was selling cookies and breakfast burritos (yes, that's what that sign says). Most went into the bellies of members of the #dunsklarshallbootcamp , but hey.
📷 @wendylberry
#girlsanatural #climbing #kidsatthecrag #newrivergorge #craglife #roadlife #getoutside #momlife
@source.climbing
Brad and I used to tease each other about which kind of climbing was more tough. Turns out my sister puts us both to shame. She's one of few women owners of arborist companies, keeping Brad's memory alive through the work he loved best.
If you live in SW Washington or NW Oregon, Foster Trees is your company. Do the winter pruning of your fruit trees now so they'll produce this summer! And support my truly amazing sister while you're at it.
In memory of Brad Swet.
#portland #oregon #vancouverwa #arborists #treework #badassladies #fostertrees