Miranda Oakley

Miranda is a core climber who spent over a decade living out of her van chasing good weather and world-class climbing. She’s an accomplished first ascensionist, leaving her mark at climbing destinations from Yosemite to Patagonia. She lives in Bishop California where she works as a climbing guide and a teacher. Motherhood is her most recent adventure, and she enjoys watching her daughter grow and experience the natural wonder and beauty of the High Sierra and the Owens Valley.

• Title: Contributor 
• Location: Bishop, CA
• www.mirandaoakley.com/
• She/Her

Expertise:

• Topics of Expertise: Climbing, Guiding, Backpacking
• Years in This Expertise: 15 years
• Number Of Products & Number Of Hours Expert Has Tested: 25+ products, 1000 hours tested

Education & Certifications

• Education: International Studies, St. Mary’s College 
• Certifications: Wilderness First Responder,  AMGA Certified Rock Guide

Career Highlights

• The first woman to rope solo the Nose on El Capitan in under 24 hours
• Free Ascents of the Freerider in Yosemite and Moonlight Buttress in Zion National Park
• Multiple first Ascents in Cochamo, Patagonia, and the High Sierra

A Word from Miranda Oakey

I have been passionate about rock climbing since I started climbing in the gym as a teenager. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. After graduating in 2006, I packed up the little gear I owned and drove west to work and live in Yosemite National Park.

Throughout my time in Yosemite and other world-renowned climbing destinations, I have grown to become an expert in traditional free climbing and an elite technical “big wall” climber. I have climbed Yosemite’s El Capitan over 20 times. In 2014 I linked the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome and The Nose of El Capitan in less than 24 hours. In 2016 I became the first woman to rope solo El Capitan in less than 24 hours. I’ve done first ascents in Patagonia, the High Sierra of California, and the Coastal Range of British Columbia in Canada. I love pushing the limits of traditional free climbing. I have free climbed significant routes such as Free Rider on El Capitan and Moonlight Buttress in Zion NP and on-sighted up to 5.13 on gear.

Outside of climbing, my passions include writing, photography, and sharing climbing with others.