Ron Kauk Peace Crewneck

“LOV is onto something that represents the connection we have as climbers and I’m honored to be a part of it, based my love and respect for the natural world that has given me a way of life.”

-Ron Kauk

Ron Kauk is as significant for his contributions to cutting-edge free climbing as he is for speaking about his profound, soulful connection to the natural world. He committed to this life before the era of media and sponsors, and has continued to find peace and fulfillment just by living in Yosemite. This image is iconic in every sense of the word.

The black pathway of barely-there holds in the expanse of a golden wall says “the perfect line”. I had this poster hanging on my wall and looked at it daily. I’d see this image hanging in climbing shops, old gyms in New England and in the magazines.  At 15 years old Ron had me wearing bandanas and painter pants and while out bouldering with my friends I’d try to cool “my hands down on this rock so I could stick that last sloper” (quote from Masters of Stone 3).  I studied this image and dreamt of being in that position.  This photo has a classical feel, yet remains very elusive and that’s one of the reason’s it’s so successful. In 1995 Ron remained very low-key. Once in a while the magazines would publish a photo that felt like a small visit from Ron. He remained ambiguous, but very active in the climbing world and to some of us this created an allure.  Aside from the colors, composition and body position, one of the things I enjoy about this image is that we only see a bit of his face.  It’s not exposing everything to us blatantly. It’s as if we’re invited into Ron’s atmosphere only a little and that’s all he’ll give us.  The blackness below gives a sense of an abyss that creates a massive amount of unknown space. Ron taught me to slow down, to breathe, listen, feel, and connect with each-other and the natural world.

-Joe