Jeff Maudlin

USA

Born and lived most of my life in California. Read "Annapurna" in grade school and knew I had to be a climber primarily because I coveted those big boots and cool looking gaiters. In 1980, with my first wife Karen, traveled around the world for two years on a shoestring. We had a one-way ticket to London, way too much stuff, and no idea what we were doing. We bumbled our way through Europe, Africa, and Asia on approximately $5 a day. Came home penniless and started a climbing "career." Worked at the original Bugaboo Mountaineering in Pacific Grove, later became the first ever "employee" at Mountain Tools in Carmel. Learned to climb on scary runout rock at the Pinnacles National Monument with my far-from-sane partner, that stalwart icon of New Age Music, Scott Fitzgerald. Took my first leader fall in a 3" wide webbing swami belt. Ouch. Went back to Nepal and lived for a year in '84(?). Did all of the major treks there 2-3 times. Also saw quite a bit more than I wanted to of India's border villages and loos.

Somehwere in this mix I spent an entire winter in Joshua Tree (when you could still do something like that) and the better part of two summers working on the Tuolumne Meadows Rescue Site. We didn't actually "rescue" anyone, but I sure got a lot of climbing done and had perfect attendence at all safety meetings. In late 1989 was offered a job at BD Mail Order over the phone. Was also seduced by the two beautiful women working there who offered up a spare room at their rental home...on the beach. Newly divorced I was all "Duh, where do I sign?" Spent the first year at BD wondering if we'd all have a job the next day or come in to find the door padlocked. Flirted hopelessly with the Patagonia/BD courier and was certain Y.C. was some homeless dude the first time I saw him carrying paint cans through the office. Was dubbed 'King' by the Divine Ms M (Maria Cranor) but felt more like 'Dunce' because I had no clue what tele skiing was (still don't). Moved to SLC with fifty other delusional co-workers when BD pulled stakes from Ventura in 1991. Almost turned right around when I realized I'd have to shovel snow and drink weak beer. Somehow cajoled that cute courier (Kari), "the most beautiful, perfect second wife in the world" (her words), to leave her cush life on the beach in Ventura to help me shovel snow. I promised her a dog and a pair of Sorels. Between splitting the summer up with my boss into three-day weekends I was really focusing on my major climbing goals with my best friend (and famous American climber), Bob Viola. Tick tick, tick. Managed not to fall out of The Narrows, The Ear, or Texas Flake thanks to his incessant browbeating of "You'd better let me let you go first." My son, Nathan, was born in 1998 and has recently exhibited that lean reachy lankiness of his Dada. He'll need it cuz I'm going to be needing a rope gun... real soon.

Birthday? 09/13/1955

Year you first started at Black Diamond? 1990

Memory/story of your first week at Black Diamond? Metcalf driving me and my boss (Jordy) to lunch and thinking seriously that I was not going to live past my first day on the job.

What does working at Black Diamond mean to you? Beside the exorbitant salary and cush vacation package? Connection with like minded people who are really passionate about the outdoors. You can't find a better feeling than that. This place works because we're always trying to build toys we'd like to own and I really give a s**t about trying to do the right thing by consumers.

If you weren't working for Black Diamond, what would you be doing? Teaching, outdoor ed, coaching, (bad) writer, or giving Tiger Woods a run for his money.

Worst job you've ever had? Can't say—they'll read this.

Do you have any pets? Lizzie the wonder dog, and a 75-gallon saltwater aquarium full of fish and live coral.

Favorite sports/activities? Climbing, backpacking, golf, skiing, working on my salt water aquarium, coaching basketball. I'm a sports kook.

Favorite climbing area and why? Tuolumne Meadows. The most beautiful place in the world. It's perfect.

Best climbing experience? Climbing with Bob and my (at the time) 7-year-old son Nate on his first multi-pitch route, on a perfect day in Tuolumne Meadows. It was as good as it ever got. But without a doubt the many climbing adventures spent with my best friend (that famous American climber) Bob Viola. 25+ years later we're still planning our next adventure.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? Exploring the great coral reefs of the world before they all disappear. With Kari and Nate.

Guilty pleasure? Taking Thursday/Friday off during Masters Week, playing golf in the morning and then watching the Masters on the tele. All day. I know, I know...I'm ashamed.

BD gear you use every time you go climbing? Some prototype Camalots that were given to me that I should really retire...like 10 years ago. Note to Boss: My 20-year anniversary is next year. Save the Vegas trip. A rack of new Camalots would be sweet.

What/who inspires you? My wife, Kari. I wish I had half the passion and fire that she has. But she doesn't inspire me enough to stain our new deck.

What's in your iPod? I'm going to regret this. Everything from Madonna to Rancid to Elton John. Closet pop music lover. My wife had no idea when she married me. My co-workers think I'm....

Strangest place you've ever woken up? A filthy train station on Xmas Day, in a small village in the middle of the Sudan. Waiting for a train that was already two days late.

Strangest person you've ever woken up with? Three Masai Warriors somewhere in the Kenya outback. I was asleep outside, no tent, and woke up to the three of them peering down at me chattering like little girls. They all had spears which somewhat added to the effect.

Three things you'd never travel without? In 1980: A sarong, a great book, a better camera. In 2009: A BD headlamp, a great book, my reading glasses.

Superstitions? Not really. I do believe it's important to not wear climbing logo'd shirts while climbing for some reason. Surfing shirts are cool though.

What's your dream job? Besides this one? http://www.islandreefjob.com, Successful PGA touring professional, some great gig in Yosemite Nat'l Park, or playing baseball for the San Francisco Giants.

If you could steal one thing and not get caught, what would it be? Good question! Hetch Hetchy from the State of California. Drain it, and then I get to pick out all the lines I want to do first.

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? George Mallory (so I could ask him THE question), John Muir, Tiger Woods.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Dude... I'm 53.