Lucho grew up in San Francisco’s Mission District with the belief that the only way to survive his neighborhood was with the protection of a gang. So, he did the most logical thing: he joined a gang. Lucho started hanging out on street corners along the 24th St. Corridor and the next few years of his life were filled with gang fights, crime, and some really bad decisions.

But finally, his mom intervened and an inner city kids wilderness backpacking trip led Lucho to rock climbing. He moved into his truck in Lee Vining just down from the Eastern Yosemite entrance and climbed with some guy named Cedar Wright.

For the Love of Climbing is presented by Patagonia. Additional support is from Deuter USA, Gnarly Nutrition, Allez Outdoors, and Ocún.

Additional music is licensed by Music Bed.

Cover art by Kika MacFarlane.

Read the transcript here.

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