Introducing the Goodwyn Family

Raising a family today in our modern high paced world is not easy. The work commitments parents have usually become the first priority, and family time becomes compromised. The Goodwyn family has chosen a simpler life, where the love they have for each other and climbing comes first.

Imagine just packing your van and leaving your friends and relatives behind as you set out on an endless road trip. Following the seasons as you travel through the best climbing areas in western North America, living and growing older together. Two adults and 4 children working it out together in a van, with the kids doing their homework, playing with puzzles, and drawing and painting.

It is not an easy path.  Waking up in the desert in the winter as the frozen condensation begins to melt. Searching for a place to park and camp in Yosemite. Keeping spirits up during a rainy spell in Squamish. Raising a toddler in a van is a special challenge, and the older children are mature beyond their years. They all share a love for climbing and travel and adventure and meeting new friends of all ages.

The family has grown up immersed in the rock climbing world.  Few 20-year-old climbers have the maturity and skills that Reagan has learned in the last five years.  She learned these skills encouraging and mentoring her brothers Anderson and Emerson as they moved forward on their own climbing journeys. The bond between them is amazing, and a successful climb is celebrated equally. Little Aspen also has super natural movement skills, and who knows where her path will go with such a team showing the way forward.

The focus and enthusiasm that parents, Dave and Shelby, provide as their van full of energy spills out and they head up the trail for their next adventure, is a beautiful sight.   Slack lining and playing hacky sac and hiking up the Chief to congratulate Dave and Reagan on the summit are also special moments that are equally valued.

The Goodwyn family is cherished by the climbing community for good reason. They provide us with the two most important things that are often missing in the world today, love for each other and hope for the future.