Jason Kehl

Who is Jason Kehl?

Jason Kehl is a professional American rock climber known for his highball bouldering ascents, inspired artistic endeavors, and for his work shaping holds. He was born October 18, 1976 in Maryland and has been climbing professionally for over ten years. In 2006, he was awarded the prestigious Everest Award for climbing, and is the first person to ever boulder a 5.14d grade route; The Fly, Rumney, NH.

Some of his other notable ascents are as follows:

[FA: First Ascent; FBA: First Boulder Ascent]

FA - Evilution Buttermilks, CA, 12/02

FBA - After Midnight Yosemite, CA, 04/03

FA - The New Zero Holy Boulders, South Illinois, 03/04

FBA - Straight out of Squampton Squamish, British Columbia, 07/05

FA - Kumite Mizugaki, Japan, 06/06

Jason Kehl is widely recognized within the climbing community for his bohemian lifestyle and eclectic self-expression. For over a decade, Kehl has been living out of his van in order to facilitate climbing and travel. His art, diet, and lifestyle are heavily influenced by Eastern culture and thought, and for years, Kehl cut his hair in the Wu D'an kung fu style with an added twist of dreadlocks.