Climbing Resume

Background

In 1995 in the middle of the largest National Park in the United States, Wrangell St. Elias, a former Everest climber, now guide in the small town of McCarthy, Alaska, takes me onto a glacier to introduce me to ice climbing. This is my first-time wearing crampons, carrying an ice ax, and tramping onto an entirely new kind of path in the great mountains of the world. Throughout that entire day, my eyes, ears, and mind open wider and I take on a whole new perspective as to what is possible. My many years before in travels to great National Parks and top roping at a local crag were great explorations, but this probably marked the beginning of the personal upswing and trend to higher adventure.

In 1996 and 1997 I was able to find a spark in a couple of local peers to help me explore lead and multi-pitch rock and ice climbing. Though the climbing was less frequent than I wished, this period culminated on a successful summit of Mt. Rainier in the spring of 1998 – providing another inspirational leap. The fire smoldered from 1999 through 2000 as early independent life and career trumped all outdoor activity. Once transplanted into the city of Pittsburgh, and surrounded by groups of enthusiasts, I began with a renewed dedication in 2001. It has been full steam ahead and no looking back since then.

Intentions and Objectives

The vertical world is what thrills me, the steeper, the better. Fortunately, this planet of ours is full of vertical adventure – or unfortunately since there is too much for a human lifetime. Now entering mid-life, my sense of passing time nags daily and my sights are set on too many objectives to form a cohesive plan. My engine is constantly at a high throttle, and each new goal obtained leads to double as many more. I grab everything I can get. I’m growing more confident of my abilities to accomplish what are commonly considered aggressive or lofty goals. This is due to both personal accomplishments and a strong set of peers I now have.

When climbing I enjoy more traditional methods and techniques yet employ all the most modern gear that is available. I enjoy a strong sense of ethics on all my climbs, striving to do climbs with style knowing I can never lie to myself. Single pitch, top roping and sport climbing are enjoyable but just training grounds to me. I feel the drive to accomplish great climbs, ones that only one in a hundred climbers will do. My religion is simple – life itself. It is a race against time, a limited time to accomplish and stave off regret. A probable side effect is the legacy that may be left – one that hopefully inspires the next generation. Or at least results in some pretty damn amazing pictures.

Mountains, Peaks, Spires, and Towers

1. Cime della Madonna, Dolomites, Italy (9,029') via Scarf Arete AKA Spigolo del Velo (III 5.8+) - 2024 Sep

2. Mt. Russell, CA (14,088’) via Fishhook Arete (5.9) - 2024 Jul

3. Mt. Whitney, CA (14,497’) via East Buttress (5.7) - 2024 Jul and via Whitney Trail (Class 1) - 2005 Sep

4. Bidean Nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamaich, Scotland (3,772') - 2024 Apr

5. Volcán Acatenengo, Guatemala (13,044') via standard route - 2024 Feb

6. Alpamayo, Peru (19,511') via Basque-French (D+, 2nd flute left of French Direct) - 2023 Aug

7. Peak 3994, CA (13,104’) via north face – 2022 Jul

8. Kid Mountain, CA (11, 900’) via north face - 2022 Jul

9. Snowpatch Spire, BC (10,118’) via Surf’s Up (D 5.9) - 2022

10. Mount Tupper, Alberta (9,199') via West Ridge (II, 5.3) - 2022  <50th summit>

11. Whistlers Peak, Alberta (8,103’) - 2021

12. The Brothers, WA (6,842’) via Standard Route - 2021

13. Mt Moran, WY (12,605’) via CMC Route - 2020

14. Mount Shasta, CA (14,180’) via Bolum Glacier – 2020

15. Half Dome, CA via the NW Face (VI 5.9 C1) - 2020

16. The Tooth, WA via South Face (II 5.4) - 2020

17. Warbonnet Peak, WY (12,369’) via South Ridge - 2019

18. Overhanging Tower, WY (12,169’) via North East Ridge (II, 5.2) - 2019

19. Shark’s Nose, WY (12,234’) via NW Buttress (II, 5.6) - 2019

20. Pingora Peak, WY (11,889’) via Northeast Face (IV, 5.8+) - 2019

21. Wolf’s Head, WY (12,165’) via East Ridge (III, 5.6) - 2019

22. Sahale Peak, WA (8,680’) via Sahale Glacier (II, 5.0) - 2019

23. Matterhorn, Switzerland/Italy (14,692') via Cresta del Leone/Liongrat/SW Ridge (AD+ III+) - 2017

24. Rochefort Ridge/Aguille de Rochefort/Dome de Rochefort, France (AD II) – 2017

25. Ama Dablam, Nepal (22,349’) via Southwest Ridge - 2016

26. Imja Tse (Island Peak), Nepal (20,305’) via normal route, solo - 2016

27. Chukhung Ri, Nepal (18,209’) via normal route - 2016

28. Eiger, Switzerland (13,204’) via Mittellegi Route - 2015

29. Jungfrau, Switzerland (13,641’) via Southeast Ridge (PD+) - 2015

30. Monch, Switzerland (13,474’) via Southeast Ridge (PD) - 2015

31. Bugaboo Spire, BC () via Northeast Ridge (IV, 5.7) – 2013

32. Pigeon Spire, BC () via West Ridge (II 5.4) - 2013

33. Mount Democrat, CO (14,155’) via East Face (Class 2) - 2011

34. Longs Peak, CO (14,259’) via The Diamond, Casual Route (IV 5.10a) - 2009

35. Mount Elbert, CO (14,440’) via Southwest Ridge (III 1) - 2009

36. Grand Teton, WY (13,770') via Owen-Spalding (III 5.4, solo) - 2009

37. Fremont Peak, WY (13,745’) via Southwest Buttress (I 3) - 2009

38. Gannet Peak, WY (13,804’) via North Face (III 5) - 2009

39. Mount Helen, WY (13,620’) via Grand Couloir (II 4) - 2009

40. Artesonraju, Peru (19,767’) via Southeast Face (D+) - 2007

41. Tocllaraju, Peru (19,790’) via Northwest Ridge (D) - 2007

42. Ishinca, Peru (18,143’) via Northwest Slopes to Southwest Ridge (F/PD-) - 2007

43. Urus Este, Peru (17,782’) via Southeast Slopes to East Ridge (PD) - 2007

44. Mt. Sir Douglas, AB (11,174’) via Northwest Face (Grade III) - 2007

45. Mt. Athabasca, AB (11,454’) via North Face (Grade III, WI3, 5.8) - 2007

46. Mt. Andromeda, AB (11,319’) via Skyladder (Grade II, WI2) - 2007

47. Mt. Hector, AB (11,135’) via North Glacier (Grade I) - 2007

48. Mt. Marcy, NY (Winter) - 2007

49. White Mountains, NH via Presidential Traverse (Winter) - 2007

50. Mt. Hood, OR (11,239’) via Sandy Glacier Headwall (Grade III) - 2006

51. Mt. Adams, WA (12,276’) via Adams Glacier (Grade III) - 2006

52. Mt. Shuksan, WA (9,131’) via North Face (Grade III-IV) - 2006

53. Mt. Whitney, CA (14,497’) via Whitney Trail (Class 1) - 2005

54. Mt. Elbrus, Russia (18,510’) via South Face to South Summit - 2005

55. Devils Tower (WY) via Durrance Route (II, 5.7) – 2004

56. Mt. Baker, WA (10,781’) via North Ridge (Grade III+, WI2+) - 2004

57. Katahdin, ME (5,268’) via various routes (up to Grade II+, WI4) - 2004

58. Mt. Washington, NH (6,288’) via various routes (up to WI3) - 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010

59. Mt. Rainier, WA (14,410’) via Emmons-Winthrop Glacier (Grade III) - 1998

Did Not Summit

1. Mt. Doonerak, AK (7,457') via West Ridge (no documented ascents) {no summit} - 2023

2. Mt. Michelson, AK (8,852’) via North Ridge (early spring conditions, arctic circle) {no summit} - 2023

3. Mt. McKinley (Denali), AK (20,320’) via Southwest Buttress (Grade 2) {no summit} - 2012 - trip video

4. Ingalls Peak, North Peak, WA (7,662’) via South Ridge (Grade II, 5.4) {no summit} - 2004

Notable Routes

1. Cime della Madonna via Scarf Arete AKA Spigolo del Velo, III 5.8+, 1,350 ft, 10 pitches - 2024 (Dolomites, Italy)

2. Half Dome via NW Face (Regular Route) VI 5.9 C2 – 2020 (Yosemite, CA)

3. The Black Dike IV, WI4 M3 5.6 – 2020 (Cannon, NH)

4. Spaceshot IV, 5.10 C2 – 2018 (Zion National Park)

5. Moonlight Buttress V, 5.9 C1 - 2018 (Zion National Park)

6. Prince of Darkness III, 5.10c – (Red Rocks, NV)

7. The Professor Falls III, WI4 – 2015 (AB) - video where I make an appearance (1:30 mark)

8. Mean Green IV, WI5 – 2013 (WY)

9. High on Boulder III, WI5 – 2013 (WY)

10. Bugaboo Spire IV, 5.7 – 2013 (Bugaboos, BC)

11. Pigeon Spire II, 5.4 – 2013 (Bugaboos, BC)

12. Longs Peak via The Diamond, Casual Route IV, 5.10a - 2009 (CO)

13. Yellow Spur III, 5.9 - 2009 (Eldorado Canyon, CO)

14. Third Flatiron II, 5.3 - 2009 (Boulder, CO)

15. Whitney-Gilman II, 5.7 - 2009 (Cannon Mountain, NH)

16. Irene’s Arete II, 5.8 – 2009 (Tetons, WY)

17. Epinephrine IV, 5.9 – 2006 (Red Rocks, NV)

18. The Nose, El Capitan VI, 5.9 C2 - 2005 (Yosemite, CA) – pitches 1-19 {did not finish}

19. Crimson Chrysalis III, 5.8+ - 2005 (Red Rocks, NV)

20. Durrance Route II, 5.7 - 2004 (Devils Tower, WY)

Ice Climbing

1. Rjukan, Norway

2. Cordillera Blanca, Andes, Peru

3. Quebec, Canada

4. Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada

5. Orient Bay and Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

6. Cody, WY

7. Hyalite Canyon, MT

8. Ouray and Telluride, CO

9. Munising, MI

10. Katahdin, ME

11. Cannon Mountain, NH

12. Frankenstein Cliffs, NH

13. Catskills, NY

14. Adirondacks, NY

15. Various, PA

Recreational Leadership

• • • Explorers Club of Pittsburgh (ECP) Life and Flag Honored Member

    • Explorers Club of Pittsburgh President 2015 to 2020

    • Explorers Club of Pittsburgh Vice President 2013-2014

    • Explorers Club of Pittsburgh Activities Chair 2012

    • Explorers Club of Pittsburgh Mountaineering School Chair 2008-2011, Director 2007-2008, Committee Member and Instructor – 2003 to present

    • Explorers Club of Pittsburgh Rock Climbing School Director 2006-2007, Committee Member and Instructor – 2004 to present

    • Explorers Club of Pittsburgh Rock Climbing Activity Coordinator – 2004 to present

    • Explorers Club of Pittsburgh Mountain Biking School Founding Committee – 2018

    • Explorers Club of Pittsburgh Mike Brown Expedition Grant Establishment Committee

    • Boy Scouts of America (BSA) COPE Course Leader/Instructor

    • Learning for Life (BSA) Exploring Program Chair and Leadership Awardee