Connor Herson couldn’t legally drive when he freed the Nose in 2018, competently navigating up his way up a route only Lynn Hill and Tommy Caldwell had freed. The climbing world wondered where this prodigy would take traditional climbing. In the years that followed, Connor was busy with regular teenage life – finishing up high school and heading for college. In 2025, the climbing world stopped wondering and watched as the 22-year-old put together the single greatest year of trad climbing.
Watch Climbing Gold on YouTube
Thanks to our sponsors
The North Face Check out Summit Series at thenorthface.com
Kodiak Cakes Find Kodiak products at your local grocery store, they're the ones with the bear on the box or learn more at Kodiakcakes.com
Factor Eat smart at FactorMeals.com/ClimbingGold50OFF and use code CLIMBINGGOLD50OFF to get 50% off plus a free daily greens per box with new subscriptions
David Buy 4 cartons and get the 5th one for free at davidprotein.com/climbinggold
LMNT Get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at www.drinklmnt.com/climbinggold. Try Pink Lemonade today.
Maui Nui Get a free pack of jerky sticks on your first order of $79 or more.
Want Climbing Gold ad free? Check out Unroped
