keynote
presentation
Important voices from the climbing community share stories of their greatest adventures and most impactful experiences.
Saturday, July 11, 2026
7:00 pM - 8:30 PM
Lander City Park
Mark Hudon
Mark Hudon, a 69-year-old native of Manchester, New Hampshire, has had a remarkable career spanning various fields. Mark’s passion for rock climbing began at the age of 16. Two years later, he achieved a remarkable feat by climbing El Cap in Yosemite, becoming one of the youngest climbers to accomplish this feat.
In 1979, Mark and Max Jones made history as the first climbers to attempt to free climb El Cap. Although they missed their goal by 300 feet, they significantly changed the paradigm of “big wall” free climbing and ushered in a new era of rock climbing.
Over his life, Mark has given hundreds of rock climbing slide shows, sharing his adventures and the lessons he has learned along the way. He has recently transitioned into a career of professional speaking.
His story and partnership with Jordan Cannon were featured in the award-winning film Free as Can Be.
Jordan Cannon
Jordan Cannon is a professional climber recognized for his fast, clean style on Yosemite big walls and his deep respect for climbing history and partnership. Sponsored by Arc’teryx, Jordan has become known for free and speed ascents on El Capitan, as well as his partnership with climbing legend Mark Hudon. Beyond his climbing accomplishments, Jordan has become an important voice for inclusion and representation in the outdoor community as one of the first openly gay professional climbers. Whether guiding, storytelling, or chasing ambitious alpine objectives, he brings a thoughtful, community-centered approach to climbing.
Jordan’s love and appreciation for climbing spawns from the true freedom he has found through the sport. As a kid, Jordan didn’t have physical access to climbs, but that didn’t stop him from stemming every doorway and scaling every tree he could find, imagining them as routes.
Once he actually touched real rock, he took to climbing like a fish to water and has never taken a single day on rock for granted. Jordan is revered by his elders for his work ethic and respect for climbing. His strength lies in his clean classic style, courteous temperament and meticulous packing. If you ever get a chance to climb with Jordan, know that he will happily wait for you if you are slow, but you better have your bag packed the night before.
Past keynote presenters
2025: Marcus Garcia and Timmy O’Neill
2024: Cat Runner, Russ Clune, and Madaleine Sorkin
2023: Katie Brown, Kai Lightner, Alex Johnson, and Alan Watts
2022: Chris Kalous, James “KG” Kagambi, Brittany Goris, and Hayden Jamieson
2021: Shingo Ohkawa, Chris Kalman, and Nikki Smith
2019: Volker Schöffl, Craig DeMartino, Kitty Calhoun, and James Edward Mills
2018: Peter Croft, Nina Williams, Paul Piana, and Angie Payne
2017: Tommy Caldwell, Joe Kinder, Hazel Findlay, Nathaniel Coleman, Matty Hong, and Pamela Shanti-Pack
2016: Steph Davis, Sonnie Trotter, Matt Segal, and Chelsea Rude
2015: Ethan Pringle, Hayden Kennedy, Alex Johnson, Hans Florine, Elad Omer, and Carlo Traversi
2014: Lynn Hill, Sasha DiGiulian, John Long, Angie Payne, Alex Honnold, Conrad Anker, Paige Claassen, and Timmy O’Neill
2013: Tommy Caldwell, Timmy O’Neill, Emily Harrington, Cedar Wright, Erica Wynn, and Henry Barber
2012: Royal Robbins, Kevin Jorgeson, and Kate Rutherford
2011: Jonathan Siegrist
2010: Jason Kehl
2009: Joe Kinder
2008: Dave MacLeod and Chris Lindner
2007: Todd Skinner Tribute
2006: Sonnie Trotter and Mike Anderson
2005: Lynn Hill
2004: Timmy O’Neill
2003: Todd Skinner and Paul Piana
2002: Steph Davis
2001: Dean Potter
2000: Barry Blanchard
1999: Galen Rowell and Conrad Anker
1998: Randy Leavitt and Greg Child
1997: Alex Lowe and Lynn Hill
1996: Jerry Moffatt and Doug Robinson
1995: Royal Robbins
1994: Todd Skinner, Paul Piana, and Bobbi Bensman