| 8a Questionnaire |
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| What do you like the most in your climbing life? | In a movie I just saw, John Gill describes climbing (bouldering, specifically) as movement based meditation. This meditative aspect combined with the struggle and reward of working and sending a problem - and getting outside in some beautiful areas - is what keeps me hooked on climbing. I have another life as an academic, which I also love, but it's nice to get out and just be a climber whenever I can. |
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| Who are your climbing heroes and why? | I started climbing in the 90s, so many of my heroes are from that era, especially the people who have managed to remain committed to climbing. E.g. Lynn Hill, Alex Huber, John Long, Peter Croft, Yuji Hirayama, etc. Perhaps the most inspirational American climbers now, in my opinion, are Beth Rodden, Chris Sharma, and Tommy Caldwell. Sharma was just getting some news when I started ... he is just amazing. Finally, I am also really inspired by the global bouldering power-houses Fred Nicole and Dai Koyamda. All these people (and some more) have done things that absolutely make them heroes in the world of climbing! |
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| Which climbing destinations could you recommend and why? | Personally, I love the Eastern Sierras. The place is magic to me. Of all the place you can go climbing there, I have a hard time picking a favorite. If you haven't been to Bishop yet, go see for yourself and check out all the areas (and hot springs). The other place I consider a must is Yosemite. Despite the crowds, it's still an amazing place with phenomenal climbing. |
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| What is the longest time spent on a project? | It's hard to say. I left many projects in CA when I moved east for Grad School. As a result, I only manage to try them a few time every year. There are some problem I've tried over many years, but only spent a day (or two) trying each time. I realize that it just means they were dumb projects to pick ... but they are such beautiful lines! |
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| Which climbing shoes are you using? | Currently: all La Sportiva (Vipers, Katana's, and Kaukulators). But for many years, I climbed in Scarpa Dominators and loved them. |
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| When and Why did you start climbing? | I had a few friends in High School who climbed. Their stories were really inspiring, but they never took me along. During my first week of college, I finally had a chance to give it a try and was hooked immediately. My HS friends eventually became my climbing partners, though most of them have now stopped climbing. Not me, though; after 15 years, I still go as regularly as I can. |
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