Dave Mayville
Due to his power on the hard routes, he earned the nickname “Too Strong”. But power isn’t enough in Joshua Tree. You need talent, grace and impeccable footwork. Dave’s got it all. No doubt about it, the man can climb.
His booming voice, crude jokes and enthusiasm leads to fun at the crags, and his reputation for long days with clients had many coming back for more. Go climbing with Dave and get stuff done. He had the confidence, focus, experience and muscle to get up almost anything. He had the ability to instill confidence and an “I can do itness” in his clients. While some had been troubled with his roughness and man-show like demeanor, those who could hang with his outlaw-style personality, had the climbing world at their fingertips. Dave is a climber’s climber, the real deal, dedicated with conviction, addiction and true passion.
Often times various life situations would seem to throw major and massive barriers in front of Dave, and it seemed sure that he was going down for the standing eight count. But, like a badger, he somehow miraculously came back, always just as strong, if not stronger than ever. A truly amazing, seemingly invulnerable climber, Dave is a major influence in the history of Joshua Tree climbing and in the lives of many in Southern California.
Dave seems to be slowing down with the climbing a bit, which is probably not a bad thing. Climbing close to 300 days a year for a decade or two calls for a rest day every now and then.
Dave has climbed around in other areas a bit, but his legacy is in Joshua Tree, Tahquitz and Suicide. His ascents and climbs in Idyllwild are legendary, and his time spent guiding up there is impressive if not downright legendary. So, when you finally red point that 5.12 project you’ve been working on in the gym and your ego starts to swell, tell Mayville that your ready to arm wrestle, and you’ll be set back to reality at the speed of light.
Here are some of Dave’s bad-ass, hard-hitting classics. These routes, needless to say, aren’t for sissy’s. Some Like it Hot (5.12) 1990, Scorpion (5.13), Chameleon (5.12a) first lead, Middle Age Savage (5.12b) 1992.