Age: 40
Primary Residence: Keene, N.Y.
Years Climbing: 25
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 182
How did you start: My English teacher was a climber, and ran a small school outing club. Back in the early eighties, in the Adirondacks, there weren't many regular local climbers. When I took a real interest, he helped me along and introduced me to other area climbers. I became the unwitting belay slave for several experienced climbers and spent my younger years climbing above my head and scared.

What kind of climbing do you prefer: I like to climb trad mixed climbs and enjoy thin ice that appears in odd places.

What was my most memorable climbing experience: I don't have one, there are several that keep me walking around with a smile.

What do I think of trad climbing: I think its the soul of the sport.

What do you think of sport climbing: I think it has advanced the grades and physical difficulty of the sport, but lacks the cerebral and consequential part of the sport that I enjoy most.

Alpine Climbing: Alpine climbing is amazing if there aren't too many others around, technical alpine climbing is, for me, of the most rewarding types of climbing.

Mixed climbing: see above

Bouldering: I used to ride my ten speed over to the local boulders when I was in high school. This was before climbing walls, so it was the best way to train. I haven't bouldered much since then.

What did Mom say: She didn't say much, she's always been supportive, though I knew she was worried.

Favorite food: Mexican