The north face of Mt. Siyeh is a 3,500-foot crumbling mass in Montana's Glacier National Park. By some definitions, the wall is the tallest rock face in the continental US. Visited infrequently, the wall has only four recorded ascents. But its reputation, for some, is incalculable.

Kelly Cordes avoided the north face of Siyeh for fifteen years before racking up last August with Justin Woods. Kelly penned his experience in Alpinist 27, available now. (Subscribe online with promotion code ALPHC2 and receive 33% off). During the writing process, he interrogated many of his long-held beliefs about the joy and fear inherent in alpinism. Click here for Kelly's photos and thoughts on this massive wall of reflection.