Save Papa Pine

Hi! I'm Shane Borza --a coach, award-winning filmmaker, and lifelong rock climber. I need your help to save a grand old tree: Papa Pine.

Papa Pine is a massive pine tree perched on the ledge of the Porcelain Wall in Yosemite National Park.

For decades, the only way to climb this particular route has been to sling rope around Papa Pine and climb the tree itself--which damages the tree and could eventually kill it.

Papa Pine is at least 50 years old--most likely older, probably 100+--and those who do complete this route all complain that someone needs to do something or this big, old tree won't be there for future generations.

So I came up with a plan.

With the support of the Live Your Dream Grant from the American Alpine Club, I plan to climb the Porcelain Wall and hand-drill a bolt ladder into the cliff--this way, people will no longer need to climb Papa Pine to complete the route, which means Papa Pine will be saved!

But this isn't going to be an easy climb--it will be the hardest aid climb I've ever done, and the Porcelain Wall is remote; it takes an entire day to get to the base from Yosemite Valley, and my team and I will be hauling up to 100 lbs of equipment.

Above: Me in Yosemite recently, training for the Papa Pine climb.

This project will take at least ten days, tentatively kicking off in September 2023. To top it all off, we're making a documentary about this climb of a lifetime.

We need all the support we can get to save this tree...that's where you come in!

Your donations will fund climbing equipment, food, travel expenses like gas and hotel stays, filming equipment, and more.

As a climber, nothing is more important to me than honoring and preserving the stunning landscapes we use as our playgrounds. And as a filmmaker, I'm passionate about telling the stories of those who do the impossible to save those landscapes.

Your donations make you a part of that story! Any amount--even $5--goes a long way, and I'm so grateful for your support. (I know Papa Pine is, too.)

I'll be posting updates on Save Papa Pine here, and you can also follow me on Facebook , Youtube , and Instagram .

I'm grateful to the American Alpine Club, the American Safe Climbing Association, Metolius, Tokki Tennis, Rec Pak, YosemiteBigwall.com, and Monster Sound and Picture for their support on this project.