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Climb
Pronouns:
Hometown: Manahawkin, NJ
Current Location: Bend, OR
Favorite Zone: City of Rocks or Yosemite
Proudest Achievement: Becoming a climbing guide
Favorite Advocacy Org: OUT in the Wild
Biography
When I was 18, on a trip to visit my brother in New Hampshire, I climbed at a gym for the first time and I instantly fell in love. I climbed on and off for years but as a gay man there was a sense of not belonging in the climbing community that kept me from really diving in. Then, in 2011 I moved to Santa Cruz, CA and it was there that I finally found a community that I felt welcome in. I spent those initial formative years cutting my teeth at Shuteye Ridge, Yosemite and Red Rock, NV. Early on I developed a deep love of traditional climbing and had amazing partners that showed me the wonder of long multi-pitch and alpine climbing. The full value of pushing into the mountains and spending hours on the side of a massive piece of stone solidified my obsession and reverence for the sport. In 2016 I moved to Bend, OR with hopes of becoming a climbing guide at Smith Rock. In 2019 I received my SPI and have been guiding ever since. This year I launched OUT in the Wild, a guide company for the LGBTQ+ community. Climbing has not only taken me to amazing places but it has expanded my relationship with myself, teaching me endless lessons of resilience and self acceptance. To me rock climbing is not always about the send or achieving the goal, but about the process and journey along the way. I hope to share my experience and perspectives with folx like me who might not have felt welcome and create a more inclusive climbing community.
ATHLETE MENTORSHIP INITATIVE
The SCARPA Athlete Mentorship Initiative presented by Mountain Hardwear has been created to connect and engage
the SCARPA and Mountain Hardwear Athlete teams with accomplished athletes from historically marginalized
communities aspiring to take their sport or career to the next level. The mission of this program is to connect
mentors with mentees focused on the sports we serve to provide participants with opportunities for personal,
athletic and career development with the goal of helping to create a more inclusive and diverse community of
athletes.
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