Holly Merriman

USA

I grew up in a small podunk town in Michigan driving tractors as a farmer’s daughter. My best friends were my siblings, my horse, and my dog Logger. I got into climbing at my small college when I was a freshman and have been doing it ever since. My draw to the mountains led me to a job in Pinedale, Wyoming guiding pack trips and after that was done, climbing and skiing led my husband and me to SLC to work for Black Diamond. We also spent 2006/2007 working in China on behalf of BD, which was an incredible experience. I have dabbled in many things from softball, basketball, water polo, and Tai Kwon Do to climbing, skiing, triathlons, cycling, and long boarding. Now I spend most of my free time running with my dogs, Lakota and Miles, rock climbing, skiing, horseback riding and spending time with my husband, Andy… otherwise known to most as "Merriman."

Birthday? January 27, 1980

Year you first started at Black Diamond? October, 2004

Memory/story of your first week at Black Diamond? I can’t really remember back to my first week. I do remember being pleasantly surprised to find how easy it was to find somebody to recreate with as well have a beer on a Friday afternoon with my co-workers.

What does working at Black Diamond mean to you? It means working for a company that has core values I agree with; a workplace that is enjoyable to be in, and it means working for a company that manufactures products I actually use by choice.

If you weren't working for Black Diamond, what would you be doing? Probably still guiding at my old job in Wyoming.

Worst job you've ever had? Making pizza.

Do you have any pets? Yes. Two huskies and one horse.

Favorite sports/activities? Climbing, skiing, running, swimming, horseback riding, cycling.

Favorite climbing/skiing area and why? For climbing: San Rafael Swell because it is close, not crowded, and has the occasional splitter crack. Yosemite for obvious reasons, and I will always have a special place for the Red River Gorge in Slade, Kentucky. It’s where I got into climbing and it has awesome sport (and trad) routes… not to mention Miguel’s Pizza! Skiing: My favorite is the Wasatch for its amazing backcountry.

Best climbing/skiing experience? Hard to say, there have been too many of them. I would have to say my first trad climbing trip (Seneca Rocks, WV) because trad climbing opens up a whole new realm of climbing possibilities. And also when I redpointed my first 5.12! Favorite skiing experience was a yurt trip in Logan. It had an ideal combo of good company and perfect powder.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? Going back to New Zealand for at least a month and touring the South Island with an extended trip at Castle Hill with my husband or my siblings. (brother and sister). OR a wine tasting, vineyard trip to South America with some good girlfriends.

Guilty pleasure? Coffee!, peanut butter, and red wine.

BD gear you use every time you go climbing/skiing? Camalots, C3s, slings, draws, Tracer helmet, ATC-Guide, Primrose SA, and the old Predator pack.

What/who inspires you? Strong women, emotionally and physically, and being surrounded by positive people. Also just being outside is inspiring.

What's in your iPod? Iron & Wine, Pearl Jam, Daisy May, Damien Rice, The White Stripes, The Shins….

Strangest place you've ever woken up? China.

Strangest person you've ever woken up with? Merriman.

Three things you'd never travel without? Running shoes, chapstick, wallet.

Superstitions? Karma.

What's your dream job? Training Jimmy Basler.

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

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? Brittany Spears (kidding...). Willie Nelson, Barack Obama, and the Dalai Lama.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Piercings—nose and ears. Tattoos—one on my back and I have my old dog, Logger’s, paw print on my foot.