Jared Weaver is a rock climber from Black Mountain, N.C. The path that led him to rock climbing is not a simple one. After spending five months in administrative segregation, Weaver found climbing as a way to reflect and embrace feelings of loneliness. Climbing has also served as an outlet for Weaver to push himself to his limits both physically and mentally. “Climbing taught me a lot of coping skills that, you know, as a child, I wasn’t taught those things,” he said. His climbing skills have only improved since he began and is now attempting to lead climb routes considered to be “world class” according to the Yosemite Decimal System. Weaver reflects on his relationship with solitude and the comfort he has been able to find in it by spending time in nature.