When I decided I may want to write an updated rock climbing guidebook for Telluride, it was important to me that it included an in depth history of the area. I went to Clay Wadman’s house for dinner to discuss this potential project. I laughed at stories of the Ophir Bums, was in awe of names like Royal Robbins, John Long, and Lynn Hill, and inspired by the adventurous style of climbing that defined our crags and culture.

I knew that I couldn’t let these incredible stories be lost with the souls who carried them. Clay had told me the one person I really needed to talk to was Bill Kees, The Father of the Ophir Wall and the heart of our community.

Shortly after, I was sitting across from Bill in his home near the base of Tomboy Road. His eyes lit up telling stories of climbing in Ophir in the 1970s. As he spoke, I saw how his story was entwined with the stories of many others and with the rock itself. The Ophir Wall was speaking to me through the voice of a man who loved it dearly. I am excited to share his story and those of other climbers that I had the chance to interview during this process.