20 Questions
Describe your climbing background?
I've been climbing since I was born. I climbed over my mother and father many times while they attempted to sleep. I then progressed to climbing trees, mostly those in my back yard and put up some notable first ascents. At age eleven I started sport climbing; at age fifteen, I grew entralled with bouldering. Now in my third year of college, I'm dabbling in trad.

Was there a big breakthrough or defining moment for you?
Yes, this year, I did my first 5.14a (something I thought would always remain beyond me). It was not as i imagined. I did not feel stronger or different, I only felt foolish. I realized that I had let myself remain intimidated for far too long by grades: every climb is different.

What do you do when you're not climbing?
I like to telemark ski, mountain bike, water ski, snow board, and yes, going to school where I study philosophy, earth sciences, and creative writing.

Any training advice or suggestions?
Have fun. Get outside. These are the too things that ultimately make any great climber great.

Who or what inspires you?
My friends. Modest, ordinary people who love what they do and excel because of it.

Any thing that really irks you in the mountains, crag, gym?
Being in a gym often irks me, at least if there is any way I can possibly get outside.

What's playing in your stereo / ipod / head right now?
Ratatat. Loud Pipes.

What book are you reading right now or read that you liked?
The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky

Seinfeld or Simpsons?
Simpsons. All the way.

What are your future plans or goals in climbing?
Send China Beach before I graduate D-mouth and leave New Hampshire...Boulder in South Africa next summer...lead-11 trad and feel comfortable falling on my pro (right now i lead 5.10 and needless to say do not feel comfortable falling ha ha). Maybe do world cup bouldering again, maybe.