Rocks and Hard Places

I’ve been writing for a local publication- this young family was fantastic, so fantastic I thought I would share 🙂

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves,” Sir Edmund Hilary.

It’s not easy to keep up with the Jones’s. In August, Tanner and Tyler Jane Jones will have been married for seven years. “It’s been a busy seven years,” says Tyler Jane. “We are just enjoying where we are right now.”

Tanner and Tyler Jane were high school sweethearts. It was their love of nature and the outdoors that brought them together. They met shooting archery in the Jefferson County 4-H club and have been by each other’s side ever since. Tanner joined the Marine Corps and served our country for four years before being honorably discharged in 2016. Ten days after Tanner left the Marines, he and Tyler Jane were married in Grand Lake.

“My favorite memories always surround us being outside,” says Tanner.

Tanner is a professional rock climber. The love of this sport changed the trajectory of his life and sometimes presented challenges that may have seemed insurmountable. On June 12, 2008, 14-year-old Tanner was climbing in Morrison. It was a hot day, and he was finishing up his last climb when he fell. Tanner suffered a severe fracture to his right leg and was piggybacked down the road. He went on to graduate from Chatfield High School, met Tyler Jane in 4H club and went on to enlist in the United State Marine Corps.

Tanner’s leg never healed properly but he learned to run through the pain when he passed the Marine Corp Physical Fitness test. Some might say the Marines instilled Tanner’s grit and resiliency, I believe it was there all along.

Ongoing surgeries, infections and an intense lack of mobility compelled 27-year-old Tanner to make a life-changing decision. On January 11, 2021, doctors amputated his right leg.

Since that time, Tanner has climbed Cotopaxi, a 19,400-foot volcano in Ecuador with other amputee athletes, and in 2022 he competed in the Para Climbing Nationals and the World Cup for Team USA. Tanner placed 7th in his division, less than a year after he decided to part with his right leg.

It’s a lot of life for a 29-year-old, a life best lead with an amazing partner, Tyler Jane. “In seven years, Tanner was honorably discharged from the Marines, we got married, had two babies, we both lost our moms to cancer, and Tanner went through a life-changing surgery. We’re just enjoying our life as a family right now.”

Life as a family includes two busy young kiddos; Bode (3) and Hadley (8 months). Bode is a busy toddler who climbs on everything, loves playing with his chickens, tractors monster trucks, and trash trucks. Bode has started climbing with his dad. Tanner strategically places gummy bears on handholds to keep Bode motivated. Hadley is a smiley baby who loves her dad and playing in water. We’re pretty sure she’ll join her brother climbing in the next year or two.

The Joneses’ are also raising fur babies. “Cora is our 7-year-old silver lab. She is our first child. We got her one month after we were married. She loves playing fetch, swimming, and eating everything and anything. The kiddos are her walking snack machines. She also enjoys catching a quick snooze in the sun,” says Tanner.

Pancake is the family cat. She is happiest outside chasing squirrels with Bode. The family chickens, Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles, complete this family. Buttercup is pretty attached to Bode. In fact, he’s the only one who can hold her. “The rest of us appreciate their eggs.”

Having grown up in Colorado, Tanner and Tyler Jane have many fond memories of this area. In March of 2020, they brought the house that Tyler Jane lived in the first two years of her life. “It’s been fun to bring our babies home to the same nursery that Tyler was brought home to and to make her childhood home our own,” says Tanner.

In December 2021, Tanner graduated with a degree in Recreation Therapy. He now works with the National Sports Center for the Disabled, guiding rock climbing, rafting, and ski programs. He recently started a competition team for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Front Range.

Tyler Jane works in the health insurance vertical. She recently piloted a project focused on new moms, providing support during their fourth trimester and as they make the transition back to work with a new baby. She is passionate about women’s health and advancing how we as a society support new moms. Before she became a mom herself, Tyler Jane was the 2013-2014 Miss Rodeo Jefferson County. Perhaps that’s why she moves through these changes with ease, this isn’t her first rodeo.

Resiliency, determination, and a deep commitment to each other has grounded Tanner and Tyler Jane through challenging times. Tanner’s surgery has been life-changing. He no longer lives in pain and is able to embrace once again the physical activities that bring him joy. As a gifted rock climber, he is a leader in the para community, helping others find their own passions and push themselves beyond their limits.

“My favorite memories always surround us being outside. One of our most recent memories was rafting with Ty, Bode, and my dad for Father’s Day.”

When not summiting Cotopaxi, competing in the World Cup, or providing support to new moms, the Jones’ can be found throwing the ball for the pup at the park, enjoying the trails at Stanley Lake or catching bugs with Bode; outside, together as a family.

Neighbors of Northwest Arvada extends a sincere thanks to Tanner and Tyler Jane for sharing their story. You are an inspiration to us all; a story of love, hope and a reminder to us all that the climb is part of life; grit, determination and gummy bears lovingly placed on the handhold can make all of the difference.