Personal Highlights:
• Price is Right game show audience member October 31, 2006
• Ski Mountaineering in La Grave March-April 2007
• Climbing in Chamonix September 2007
• Ice Climbing in Norway 2009
Career Highlights:
• Second place finish at Ouray Ice Festival 2007
• Climber on “Epic Conditions” TV show for the weather channel.
• Member of expedition sponsored by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to unclimbed peak in Alaska.
• First Place finish Ouray Colorado Ice Festival 2009
• AMGA Rock Guide Certified
Bio:I was born and raised in Brunswick, Ohio. I started college at Kent State University in Ohio. My first few semesters, I was introduced to climbing and Outdoor Education. It was at this time of my life that I realized Ohio was not the place for me to be. This city girl wanted to explore the mountains and learn more about the outdoors. In 1996, I moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota to pursue a degree in Outdoor Education. The Black Hills served as perfect terrain for me to develop my climbing skills and to learn how to live and play in the outdoors. It was in the Black Hills where my passion for climbing truly grew. In 1998 I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Outdoor Education.
Shortly after graduation, I began rock guiding for some small guide services in the Black Hills. As time passed, my ambitions grew, and I began to feel as though I was outgrowing the small oasis of the Black Hills. In 2004, I moved to Bellingham, Washington, and became a mountain guide with the American Alpine Institute. Since moving to Washington, I have worked full time as a mountain guide. I have guided in the northern Cascades, eastern Sierras, Red Rock Canyon Nevada, Joshua Tree National Park, Ouray Colorado, Alaska and Canada. I have guided three Denali expeditions. To further my career as a guide, I am currently pursuing my full IFMGA certification through the American Mountain Guide Association. This international certification will allow me to work as a guide throughout the world.
I have climbed and guided 200 days a year for the past 3 years. This has taken me all throughout the western United States, Canada, and France. This past year alone I have enjoyed guiding and climbing in Squamish BC, The San Juan Mountains, The Northern Cascades, Smith Rocks Oregon, Red Rock Nevada, Indian Creek Utah, The French Alps, The Calanques and the Verdon Gorge of Southern France. I also won second place in the women’s division at the 2007 Ouray Ice Festival.
In June of 2008, I will be participating in an awareness climb for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. This climb is to climb an unclimbed mountain in Alaska with a team of three other climbers. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will be using the publicity generated from the climb as a marketing campaign. Using climbing an unclimbed mountain as a metaphor for cancer research. The location of the range is not being disclosed publicly.
In the past four years, I have found that I have an addiction to sandstone splitters and off-width desert cracks, long alpine rock routes and steep waterfall ice formations. It is the thrill of the sharp end and the magnificent landscaped that inspire me. The best part has been the incredible people I have met along the way and the experiences and bonds I have shared with climbing partners. I am truly dedicated and strive only to improve. This year I plan to take my climbing to Europe, Thailand, and Canada. I am also planning to hit a few places in the eastern and western United States as well. My spirit of adventure is strong and I am proud to represent the strong and motivated female climber.