Emilie climbing Wangerbanger, 5.11c, Joshua Tree, Calif.

JUMPER Julia Niles first met Emilie Lee while Dumpster diving in Yosemite National Park, Calif., a few years ago. Emilie is a talented climber, fine artist, environmental steward, and world traveler. She takes risks every day to live a lifestyle that makes her happy. SheJumps met up with her while she was visiting Julia in Jackson Hole. – Vanessa Pierce I grew up on a farm in Vermont and I learned to climb in Rumney New Hampshire when I was 15 years old. It's been 10 years since I first tied into a rope and I'm still obsessed! I love the physical challenge and the adventure, but most of all I love getting silly and psyched with my friends. I've climbed all over the U.S. as well as in France and Spain. What turns me on the most are splitter granite cracks in big wilderness settings. Over the years I've been creating art to express the joy I've found through my climbing adventures. I keep collage journals, take photos, sketch, write stories and paint in oils. My artwork and writing have been featured in The Alpinist, She Sends, Rock and Ice, The Access Fund's Vertical Times, the Patagonia catalog, and the recently released climbing film "First Ascent."

"Big cams" journal page by Emilie Lee

While I have built my life around climbing and art, I also try to find ways to stay involved in positive change for the world. In 2004, my boyfriend and I converted a 1988 school bus to run on recycled vegetable oil. We lived on the road and climbed for 9 months without burning fossil fuel or paying for gas. The year after that I worked at The Intervale Foundation in Burlington, Vt. My job there was in the compost department where we kept 20,000 tons of waste out of the landfill every year! Since then I have had several jobs working with young girls and women teaching rock climbing, canoe tripping, art, and yoga. Dancing in the Merced River. Photo by Shawn Reeder Community is important to me, even though I rarely live in one place for very long! I am inspired by the people I meet who are just PSYCHED about what they are doing in their lives. I want to go for it every day with that kind of positive energy. For more on Emilie's art and adventures, visit her blog at chosspile.emilielee.com and her website at www.emilielee.com.