The Stylin' Ones by South

Every so often something or someone comes along and changes the way people look at the world. Boundaries are pushed so far, people’s perceptions are fundamentally altered. What wasn’t possible is now possible. These pioneers are responsible for changing and creating culture and when someone has enough Hutzpah to change culture, they automatically have style. Nothing beat the expression on my face while watching Jonas Guinn snowboard straight down a patch of dirt at the bottom of a snowy slope. He flew over this area like it was nothing out of the ordinary and amazingly enough, it didn’t seem to effect his speed or balance at all. When I saw this stunt I felt that there was a new wave of sport emerging; a sort of “no excuses” approach. It was about a month later that I was exposed to another sport out on the scene that I knew was going to change things. My father was telling me about this unbelievable sport called Mixed Climbing and that people actually climbed rock and ice in the same route. Fully equipped with crampons and ice tools these people work their way up mountains that have these combined elements. He also told me about a friend of his, Sean Isaac, who is busting doors in this particular area. Mixed climbing has been around as long as climbing, cause, as we know, true alpinists will find ways to explore anything. It has only been in the last few years that Mixed Climbing has become a truly recognizable sport. Climbing companies are now making special equipment to help move the sport and its followers to new heights and one of its leaders is Sean Isaac. Not only does Isaac push the boundaries of climbing, he also helps people, be it long time climbing enthusiasts or beginners, learn the sport, through his 2005 publication “Mixed Climbing.” In this book he outlines everything one needs to know about the sport. Everything from the type of equipment, to technique, to training tips to destinations. This book will no doubt progress the sport to new levels. Photographed by Andrew Querner the reader can also get a glimpse of what a truly impressive and physically demanding sport this is.What, you are probably thinking, does mixed climbing have to do with culture? Well, a lot actually. People create culture. The only way we can progress and move forward is if ceratin people push the boundaries of our perception. I was so moved and inspired by the fact that a person would approach the unknown so willingly. That they would have strong enough character to think “no excuses.” I want to implement this “no excuses” philosophy into my own life. Isaac made me see that it is quite possible; and best of all enjoyable
Sometimes it make us uncomfortable to see people risking their lives and sometimes it is a little more than we bargained for. The unknown is scary, but makes the people who brave it all the more inspiring.
Anyone living this philosophy has a certain level of style. They can get away with and look good in anything. I guess what I am trying to say is, if you are truely great at something, be it sports, math, acting, singing, what have you; you will automatically look good. Style is what you make of it. If you are creating culture, you are creating style. Isaac could climb in a tutu and make it cool, that is how legit he is. “NO EXCUSES.”