Denis Firstov

I pray one day to own a ranch and live a good life.

I’m not the only one who loves the Jeep.

Happy doggo

Hastur's Semi-Liquid Fishy Things (5.11d)
One of my favorite old photos of me 😅

The OG homies.
Climbing bros in their natural habitat.

I don’t remember the climb name but it’s ranged V6-7.
One of the coolest roof climbs packed with crimps and toe hooks galore

I don't remember what this boulder is called. I think it was V6-V8?
Gnarly little thing

Be a top-rope hero for someone sometimes.
It's the least you can do 😀

My experience with "New Religion (V7)"
I didn't send it, lol.
BUT, this one was near the end of the tour and I was already exhausted
One of the best boulders around on E Spur - Gunks.
Unsure if access is still allowed there anymore, not sure. Maybe knows.

Utterly unrelated to climbing; but I've always had the drive to get better at photography and composition. I cruised around west Texas when I spotted this old beetle in a mostly abandoned historic downtown. I instantly fell in love with the image and couldn't quite pick the right composition of it. But I hope I captured it with this one.

Both shots were taken with an iPhone 13 Pro Max with the F/1.5 lens with an attached 58mm tele lens.

Paint me like one of your French bull Dogs

My experience with Solstice 5.13a
This was my three year project in New Mexico in Solstice Cave. It is extremely intimidating and the first clip is an all or nothing.
This was the most difficult climb I’ve ever done mentally.
The moves themselves weren’t bad but actually pretty huffy.
Includes jugs, couple of foot cuts, and gnarly views.
The finish is a beautiful over the lip clip letting you choose to either take an adrenaline filled whip into the air or descend to the bottom of the cave.
This route honestly scared me for a while. But as I had extremely supportive friends , I managed to finally send this beast and then do a repeat of it.

Just wanted to let that she’s one of the best human beings I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing
I met her in college in 2011 and to this day still enjoy seeing her growing and thriving!

“Zen V5”
Start on a super gnarly big hueco under the roof. Make your way out of the roof and on to the face via more good huecos to get to an obvious sidepull pocket.
Gnarly little Boulder problem.
Definitely a classic

I first started guiding with and Will Brock as a reg along to see what life as a guide offered.
What I discovered changed my life.
I love guiding people in the climbing industry and sharing my passion for climbing with them.
It wasn’t long until Mario gave me a guiding position at .
What a wonderful life and a wonderful opportunity it was to teach everyone — young and old

My experience with "Moonshine Roof (V4)"

I had just gotten appendicitis 1.5 weeks prior to my trip to Hueco Tanks. My stitches were still fresh from where they had cut out my appendix. I had not climbed the entire trip prior to coming to, as Mario calls it, a "sexy piece of rock." Despite urges from others not to climb, I put on my shoes, my "blah blah blah I can't hear you" earmuffs, and grabbed my chalk bag.
I metaphorically float through the entire bottom section.
I get overly excited about the flash as I am starting to top out on this thing
My foot slips and my stomach eats the sharp rock.
I'm able to save the fall and top out -- flashing Moonshine Roof (V4).
As I walk up the boulder with the little cheers behind me, I look down and realize I cut open two of the three stitches.
I don't say anything because I'm overjoyed at the send.
Worth it.

Howdy!
Just wanted to give a small introduction about myself!
I started climbing in 2011 when an amazing man by the name of Andy, a Shenandoah Mountain Guide, introduced me to outdoor climbing
Since then I have been:
- Gym Assistant Manager
- Routesetter
- Head Routesetter
- Fitness Coach
- Climbing Coach
- Climbing Guide
- Paid Climber (Pro? IDK)
After numerous paths in life took me in different directions, I decided that in 2023 I would make my comeback into the climbing community.
Join me in many things to come!