Back in the Day and Today: 20 Years of Sierra Running and Climbing

Matt Samet pioneering the idea of Sky Running, Sierra style, way back in 2002.

20 years ago I was doing exactly what I’m doing now. Making plans for a huge project in the mountains. Back then, I’m sure I never imagined I’d spend the next 20 years doing very similar things. At that time, Janine and I were living in our VW van, milking our $62 bank account, and trying to figure out how to be professional mountain sport photographers.

Then, Rock & Ice Magazine took an idea we pitched to climb all of California’s Sierra Nevada 14ers by technical routes. It was our first big assignment. At the same time, Patagonia’s Photo Editor, the highly influential Jane Sievert, took us under her wing helping us produce iconic Patagonia style images.

As the snow left the Sierra, we moved in. One by one we ticked off all the 14ers. Many, like Mt. Russell and Whitney, we did by numerous routes, bivvying at the base of the walls and running laps. We also climbed just about every Sierra classic and only really left the high country to move to the next trailhead.

2001 repeated itself countless times, a continual cycle of organizing trips to mountains around the world to make photos of what we do with friends.

Somewhere along the way we moved to the Alps and our lives in the Sierra became referenced with, “Back in the day.” With the years, life became more stable, cozy, and comfortable.

Living free and wild felt normal in my 20’s, but I dreamt of more. Now, in my 50’s and having fulfilled many of those dreams, I wonder what I’ll find if I go back.

I’m excited that current planning puts us in the Sierra for the bulk of the year working on yet another big project and discovering what has and has not changed in 20 years. If you follow us on social, expect to see a lot of mountain running, some climbing, and probably more than a little re-living, “Back in the day,” while we develop something special for the Sierra trail running community.

By Dan Patitucci