Doug Heinrich

USA

Born in SLC, I'm a Utah native. Grew up climbing in the Wasatch, Uintahs and Tetons. Climbed the Exum Ride when I was 12 years old with a friend from Idaho who was 14. I took the train to Pocatello and then we drove the the Tetons - my pal could drive since they had a farm. I was basically hooked on mountain climbing at that point. I was really into the history of climbing big mountains, and loved reading about adventures that the tough guys like Messner, Bonnington, Jeff Lowe and Doug Scott were doing....

Spent a lot of time rock climbing as "training" for the mountains. One big goal as a kid was to climb El Cap and I remember I had a Rowell photo on my inside locker door all through school.

I had great mentors like Mugs Stump and Alex Lowe - spent a lot of time climbing with them while they were around. My best friend / main climbing partner died in Alaska in 2000 and it has changed my climbing life. I still climb a fair amount, but it's just not the same with Seth Shaw gone.

I've climbed a ton in Zion, Yosemite, Canada as well as Canyonlands and Europe...a few trips to AK. I have never made it to Patagonia, Himalaya or Antarctica mainly because I've always had a job. I've added quite a few routes in Utah from the local canyons, rock, ice and mixed as well as routes in Zion and Canyonlands.

I've been working for BD for about 15 years and have held a few hats during my time here: C-Service, Started and managed the BD Retail Store, Sales Rep, Product Manager, and Category Director. Skiing was a huge part of my life growing up and into to my mid 20s....I ski a bit now but mainly climb, run and ride.

Birthday? April 4, 1962

Year you first started at Black Diamond? 1991

Memory/story of your first week at Black Diamond?

I was super happy that BD was planning to move to SLC.  Climbing was too far away from Ventura and at that point in my life climbing was a super high priority.

What does working at Black Diamond mean to you?

It's a great job with a great group of people with a similar values and vision. It's been super rewarding to grow with the company over the years.  There's always a challenge which keep me motivated.

If you weren't working at Black Diamond, what would you be doing?

Better question is if I didn't have to work what would I be doing?  Traveling, climbing, riding and running and most likely making films of some sort...

Worst job you've ever had?

Rasmussen Equipment delivering heavy equipment and wire rope to construction sites...

Do you have any pets?

Yes a yellow lab named Lucy.

Favorite sports/activities?

Climbing, riding, running.

Favorite climbing/skiing area and why?

Zion and Yosemite - I like doing long routes.  Valdez for skiing - need I say more?

Best climbing/skiing experience?

4 "walls"  in a day in Zion with Conrad Anker...great day and it wasn't as hard as we expected...

What's your dream trip? With who?

Climbing in some far away exotic land with Angelina Jolie or some other super model... Lucky for me my partner is a super model!

Guilty pleasure?

Chocolate Shakes

BD gear you use every time you go climbing/skiing?

Camalots, Cobras and BD ice screws!

What/who inspires you?

Minimalism and Simplicity.

What's in your iPod?

Rush...simple?

Strangest place you've ever woken up?

In jail in Japan - someplace close to Narita.

Strangest person you've ever woken up with?

Some Colombian friends of Jose's on top of El Cap...surprised they didn't fall off the top of the Salathe... or Lynn Wheeler in Zion.

Three things you never travel without?

Saline solution, contact case, headlamp.

What's your dream job?

Making films with no limit to the budget.

If you could steal one thing and not get caught, what would it be?

G5

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be?

Einstein, Jesus, Socrates.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

Sorry - I'm not that hip...I have a few scars from some bad decisions.