Primary residence: Salt Lake City, UT
How did you start? I first began climbing at a climbing wall at my middle school, I enjoyed it and seemed to not suck nearly as badly as I did with other, more traditional sports. This took me to the climbing gym where I eventually started my route setting career and competition climbing a career.
What kind of climbing do you prefer? I absolutely love sport climbing; I have never felt the same feeling of enjoyment from any other aspect of rock climbing.
What’s your most memorable climbing experience? Probably my first trip to Rifle, CO. Before this trip my main climbing destinations were Garden of the Gods and Shelf Road, both amazing areas to have right in your back yard, but Rifle showed me that there were more than dead vertical half pad monos and crumbling sand stone. This was a canyon full of moves, and techniques I have never seen before.
What do you think of trad climbing? I first started with trad climbing, in fact my climbing mentor when I first started sent me a Christmas card after I started to prefer sport climbing that read “Merry Christmas Kyle, and remember sport climbing is neither.”
Sport climbing? Sport climbing is my home! For me it tests your abilities in a way that is so pure and creative. I love it.
Alpine climbing? Well, there are only a few thing I hate in life: being cold and being wet. To me Alpine just seems cold and wet. Who knows someday I may change my mind and find that I love it, but not yet.
Mixed climbing? Honestly never tried it, I mean once in a gym transferring from plastic to a tree trunk with a couple of axes, but never really tried it. Looks a little scary for my taste.
Bouldering? Second to sport climbing. Bouldering is great, it has never suited my strengths well but I think that’s why I love it. In the last couple seasons, I have developed a liking and respect for developing high ball problems. There isn’t much out there that can replace spending the time to find, clean and climbing super tall lines.
What did your mother say when you started climbing? I honestly don’t remember. She has always been super supportive though, which is all that matters to me.
