Tales from Red Rock’s Mistress: Joanne Urioste

I’ve listened to an interview with Joanne Urioste about her adventures pioneering Red Rock.  There’s a link on the MP home page.  What an awesome couple and great adventure story.  I didn’t see any other threads about this podcast (if there are I’m cool to delete this one).

It was wonderful to hear Joanne’s voice recount the remarkable legacy that she and Jorge pioneered.  Thank you Joanne and Jorge for having such bravery and vision.  Repeating dozens of those memorable routes gave me the confidence to have my own dreams of sandstone first ascents.

The podcast is worth hearing…

https://americanalpineclub.org/news/2026/1/22/tales-from-red-rocks-risk-mistress-joanne-urioste

Though I haven't read it yet, I understand that Joanne also has an autobiographical book out: Collages of Rock and Desire. I look forward to reading it.

I read the book and found it a great story. Some of the adventures and happenings are truly amazing. 

My wife loved her memoir and I'm a little ways in myself. Incredible to read about the early days and I'm really enjoying learning more about Joe Herbst as well. A lot of the pioneers in vegas are fairly enigmatic still so it's nice to have some light shed on the whos hows and whats.

I never climbed with Jorge, but certainly followed in his footholds many a time BITD.  Sometime maybe around 2012, Ron Olevsky held a sush-fest / fundraiser for Layton Kor who was struggling with medical issues in the last number of years of his life.  Anyway, Ron had organized an event in the Valley of Fire for a night or two of festivities.  Joanne, Layton and myself spied a promising line on one of the taller formations near the road.  Joanne and I swapped leads on a scrappy, short two pitch tower.  Found a pin or two anchor on top.  Later that evening found out Ron had done the FA years earlier…

After John Rosholts remains were found “mysteriously” high on the Black Velvet Wall, Joanne and I discussed over email about going up there to “investigate“.  Sadly that never came to fruition though it was probably a loss cause in any case.

I look forward to reading Joanne’s memoir.  What an amazing couple that I feel so blessed to have met.

There’s a Climbing Gold episode from a while back that features her as well. I haven’t listened to this new AAC podcast yet so I don’t know how much crossover information there is, but it’s a really good listen and worth checking out as well.

https://www.climbinggold.com/episodes/chapter-02

We met Joanne and Jorge at the City of Rocks Almo steakhouse as well as climbing at Bath Rock last September. They were staying at Kim's house (RKM) who graciously puts on pizza nights for the Over 50 and supertopo meetups. Joanne was very lively and charming. I was a bit star struck meeting a table full of legends still getting after it. I'm nobody but they couldn't have been nicer people.

Does anyone know of a way to buy Joanne's book other than Amazon? I'd love to buy it but not from Amazon! If anyone would be willing to sell me a used copy, or get me in touch with a bookseller who carries it, please do. She's such a badass and I'd love to read her story.

Skyler Swrote:

There’s a Climbing Gold episode from a while back that features her as well. I haven’t listened to this new AAC podcast yet so I don’t know how much crossover information there is, but it’s a really good listen and worth checking out as well.

https://www.climbinggold.com/episodes/chapter-02

I listen to both and the AAC one is more engaging. Give it a listen!
Jorge and Joanne are such legends. Their routes are the best gateway drug to multipitch trad climbing

Thanks to all for your kind messages!  Albert, Jorge and I really enjoyed climbing with you in 2012!  The years have flown.

Here's another interview from local guide, Ting Ting, who does podcasts:  

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Kh2qDS7IoGGe1mj3S6u4P?si=GRWj73qLQSyDbKN2dxNWqw&nd=1&product=open&%24full_url=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F3Kh2qDS7IoGGe1mj3S6u4P%3Fsi%3DGRWj73qLQSyDbKN2dxNWqw%26fbclid%3DIwY2xjawPLn2VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4yBBwhtPuX_G6QX7x1ifLsnsjtTc3CD64RTOtC1zy2b51QT8yMesOkQn-R4A_aem_bMHHL8KUZBgNC9_gJbGVTQ&%24android_redirect_timeout=3000&feature=organic&_branch_match_id=1537543813045041875&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA%2B2Q0Y6iMBiFnwbvVqVldGYSMgEZ0FVUkBnduSFtKVgsLZYSxIt99sVJ5i02%2BS9O%2FnNOcvKdta6b18mkqaVmeT9GdT3mTFwmb7WSWUu0LWsqRgaw8pbztFXcPj8qBnQM4A%2F3sMc%2FbSKr4UVr1siMDgquz%2BDqHeYrGQTUrEp4mLXW3oB%2BwwzoBfGxnMPrJjr0Hl5vQXbbHq%2BdAWY5JpxlQ2LV%2FQG3EnX7jQCfnC7j1gE%2Bx9HqFkbunYi4dCu%2FI%2F5L%2FeV0923igJ33YYb3dxiWhePEVu%2B63Vnv21MazKLT%2FGayfNOIptQJgQtvZsXJTi%2FMew%2Fwkxklz31Im90lEr9iy0kRrVIcLpeb5%2FXHl1tsFy9p8RsHn0n0jQNxjhG5%2FEfyjWSYKB7zzAcbJDIlWZYqmjFFiU41q6hstQ2n0%2Bkop0i3itpSFUgwMvqraE6VYqJIsZJdQ5XtI0KxlJd%2FCnVh354CAAA%3D

And Alan, Jorge says hi!  He remembers the winter FAs you both did on Cannon in the 60s!

Hi to both you and Jorge, Joanne. I remember those days well---'fun epics'. I've really enjoyed your routes at Red Rock that I've done--true classics.

Hope you both are well.

Alan

Mark Websterwrote:

We met Joanne and Jorge at the City of Rocks Almo steakhouse as well as climbing at Bath Rock last September. They were staying at Kim's house (RKM) who graciously puts on pizza nights for the Over 50 and supertopo meetups. Joanne was very lively and charming. I was a bit star struck meeting a table full of legends still getting after it. I'm nobody but they couldn't have been nicer people.

My friend Fritz and I actually got an invite from Kim, to meet the Uriostes at Kim's house. I spent most of my time chatting with Jorge, and the son (sorry, name has departed my memory). There were other long long long time climbers there that day, too, but don't remember just who. All super nice folks, though!

Should be a good book!

H.

Joy Wwrote:

Does anyone know of a way to buy Joanne's book other than Amazon? I'd love to buy it but not from Amazon! 

Joy, I’ve just  ordered several more copies of Joannes’ book for my adult kids (all climbers) and will have a spare.  I’ll send you one - no problem.  Please provide me with your address through the ’contact’ feature.

I absolutely loved the book and read many chapters over and over.  I’ve climbed with Joanne (and Jorge to a lesser extent) since the early 80’s and thought I knew everything about them.  Wow, I had no clue about a lot of this ‘stuff’.  Sometimes I laughed out loud at a passage or two.

its been a pleasure knowing and climbing with such great folks as the Urioste’s.  They played a big part in my climbing history and memories.  The book is just the best!

I just talked with Travis at Desert Rock Sports and he is happy to ship my memoir to folks who live out of town.  The memoirs he ships are all signed by me.  You can call the store at 702-254-1143. 

Right on Joanne.  I‘m glad the story is getting out about how you and George put such love and dedication into developing Red Rock.  I look forward to reading your memoir.

Wow! Joanne, thank you so much for arranging that. RKM has offered to ship me a copy, but I'll buy one from Travis for my climbing partner so we can do a little book club. I'm so excited. :) This means a lot to me!!!

I just got the book in the mail and it is riveting!! Loved reading about your trip out west climbing stuff that I know well. Darn book has me burning the midnight oil

All of the chapters are so good, but the one about Joanne soloing the Direct South Buttress of Mount Moran in the Tetons had me riveted.  That route was my first big climb or grade IV in the early 70s.  A huge achievement for us kids.  

What a monster climb for Joanne to solo with a 60 lb pack - not really knowing how to self belay.  Few people go all the way to the summit of Moran.  And descending the Skillet Glacier wearing EB’s, riding the pack down had me laughing out loud.

Her summary of the climb is profound; ” The rock and snow. The stunning ridge. The high stakes.  Playing our game with nature, but not overstepping her boundaries.  Intensifying our emotions to really know the value of life.”