Man of the House- Darius Deavers

“Shhh….. Okay, RUN!” Darius Deavers and company are running though train tunnel 5, high above Eldorado State Park, hoping to come out the other side. The light grows brighter until they are safely out, and directly below Porthole South crag. Despite the questionable access, and bolting restrictions, Darius will establish There is No God (10d) today (Spring 1990).



A native Texan, Darius has lived on the front range almost 20 years. He’s been around; witnessing Derick Hersey solo 5.10X, and seeing an early ascent of Never Say Never (V10).

Bob Horan on Never Say Never (courtesy Mountain Project)

Darius resides in a single story home in the heart of Denver. After divorcing in ’93, Darius transformed his home. The walls are plastered with holds, the bookshelves should be in the American Alpine Club library. Maps cover the dinning room table four times over.


“This is what I’m really excited about.” For months, Darius has been telling me about 1000’ canyons in “Nevada”. “This is the same stone as Hueco Tanks,” he says, pointing to a topo in a state clearly not Nevada.


Darius has no visible means of financial support. I pry, and find a little savings, meager earnings, and support from his parents. We sip Dos Equis between burns on the woody. “I’ll probably just stay here,” he resigns to. I hope he does.