The sport was originally the brainchild of California photographer and climber Dean. In order to overcome gravity and other factors, climbers have to climb on granite with their fingertips and toes. In most cases, they don't wear protective ropes and safety equipment, which is extremely dangerous. He said this kind of rock climbing is "the purest sport". In 2009, he made his photography into a calendar of "naked rock climbing", which is now being sold on his personal website.