Mount Hooker (12,550') is located in Wyoming's Wind River Mountain Range. Far removed from any road, Hooker's appeal lies in its isolated setting and its towering 2,000 foot granite walls. Mount Hooker was the first Grade VI climb outside of Yosemite National Park, and was first climbed by Royal Robbins in the 1964.

In 1990, Todd Skinner, Paul Piana, Tim Toula, and Galen Rowell hiked into Mount Hooker with the aim of establishing a free-climb on the steep foreboding North Face. Days of cold, windy weather were eventually rewarded with a successful 14 pitch, 5.12a free climb. This is photo documentary of the trip.

All photos Galen Rowell
For more on Galen's Photography click here.