"2009 was an exciting year for me.  After recovering from a badly bruised knee and a broken pinky at the very start of the year, I came back to get the first ascent of some of my best climbs in Southern Colorado yet.  Despite spending most of the year outside of Southern Colorado, I still developed around a dozen high-quality boulder problems here. 3rd ascent of Pretentious Vendor of Invention (V10) Newlin Creek, Colorado. In the Spring I was able to flash my first 5.13 and climb my first Grade V route in a day.  However, the most exciting part of the year for me was the fall. I was able to take the semester off from Colorado College and just travel and climb. 

It was the longest I had not been in school since I was 5 years old or so and it felt great to the have the freedom and flexibility to climb where I wanted, when I wanted, for however long as I wanted. Unknown classic slab in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, California. During my time off from school, I traveled to Leavenworth, Yosemite, the High Sierra, Ibex, Joe’s Valley, Indian Creek, Moab, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the Red River Gorge, and Bishop. Shiva (5.13b), Muir Valley, Red River Gorge, Kentucky. I had some great accomplishments during these travels.  Some that were personally memorable include onsiting Trilogy (5.12- R, Grade IV) in the Black Canyon, flashing my first V10, Moment of Truth in Joe’s Valley, and climbing the roof offwidth Brother from Another Planet (5.12-) in Indian Creek. Evilution (V10), Bishop, California. If I were going to sum up 2009 in one word it would be diversity.  Whether it was doing first ascents of boulder problems, pushing myself on the sharp end of scary traditional climbs, getting the deep burn of long multi-pitch climbs, or clipping some bolts, I had a great 2009 and I can only see 2010 being better." -Hayden Miller