Sam Elias

RED RIVER GORGE, KENTUCKY


Sam is a late blooming, all-arounder whose combined accomplishments set him in a league of his own. He started climbing in 2005 at 23 years old after college and a serious ski racing pursuit. He's done 5.14d sport, 5.14- trad, V12, M13, Ice comp podiums, international climbing development, Mt. Everest, and more.


Sam is the son of a Syrian immigrant father and a Polish-American mother, and was born around Detroit. He feels deeply connected to the cultures of his parents and also to the place where he grew up. He believes in the blue-collar way of life, and in earning your keep, and also in taking active roles in community. 


His creative passions are just as varied as his climbing ones. He studied ceramics in college. Now he is a printmaker, and loves to sketch and doodle. Sometimes he writes. He's done a partial tattooing apprenticeship. He's done design work from some of his own tattoos to clothing and the Beyond the Wall line for The North Face, as well as other concept lines. He has shaped climbing gym holds and designed gym spaces.


Curiosity and creativity and contrast are some themes in Sam's life. He draws as much inspiration from urban environments as he does from the mountains. When he travels, he loves to learn about places by visiting museums and galleries, parks, cafes or a city’s high point. It's important for him to get the many sensations of a city’s lifestyle and culture. This all brings context and balance to his climbing life and to the more wild and natural places.

Accomplishments

  • First ascents and new routes on 5 continents
  • Documentary film “Rooted” about establishing Lebanon’s first 5.14 rock climb
  • Climbed Mt. Everest in May of 2012
  • Free climbing ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan in June 2014 -- PreMuir route, 35 pitches, 5.13+, 6 days
  • First ascents on rock up to 5.14b and winter mixed up to M12
  • Sport climbing red points up to 5.14d, onsight up to 5.13d, trad up to 5.14-
  • Ice climbing up to WI6, winter mixed climbing up to M13, on-sight up to M11
  • Ouray Ice Competition champion 2019 in Ouray, CO (2nd place in 2010, 2016; 3rd place in 2013, 2018)