Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. - Bios

Age:	Years Climbing:	Achievements:	Favorite Areas:
36	15	Fatherhood, which trumps all other unimportant obsessive-compulsive behaviors on the ice and in the mountains.	Lake Willoughby, Vt., whatever doesn't look in, Cathedral Ledge, NH, Diedre in winter.

20 Questions *Describe your climbing background:* A little bit of everything and way too much ice around New England and abroad. Why climb ice? Because it won't be there long. Describe an ice/alpine climbing experience when things got out of hand: Early on in my mixed climbing experience I was trying a new route that looked reasonable but quickly proved steeper and more runout then expected. Facing a gear-ripping fall I went for the final move, I joked to my buddy Chad belaying me "It's either gonna happen or it's not..." then I desperately flung my tool into frozen turf and luckily finished Purple People Eater. What has ice/alpine climbing taught you? Perseverance, patience, resolve and humility. What are you up to when you’re not climbing? Now I am being a dad! Any training advice or suggestions? Train your mind and your body will follow. Who or what inspires you? Every time I see someone getting after it—win, lose or draw, it’s the fight to stay calm and dig deep that gets me fired up to get on something. How do you see ice/alpine climbing evolving in the next five years? More people getting stronger and having fun. What do you think about the M13+ or WI8 grade? I don't think worrying about the M grades matters as much as some people think. There will always be another ridiculous cave to scratch out and people will get stronger and more creative. WI grades are almost as foolish since water ice can take many shapes but they all hold to certain gravity principles versus glacial ice that has crazy forms. How does fear affect your climbing? Fear is the foundation to my climbing it holds me together and teaches me focus. What are your future plans or goals in climbing? To climb!
*Age*	*Years Climbing:*	*Status:*	*Achievements:*	*Favorite Areas:*
36	15	Married with a beautiful baby girl	Fatherhood, which trumps all other unimportant obsessive-compulsive behaviors on the ice and in the mountains.	Lake Willoughby, Vt., whatever doesn't look in, Cathedral Ledge, NH, Diedre in winter.