Where are you from? Geneva, NY, USA. Ask me about how awesome the Finger Lakes Region is!
What’s your favourite colour? Blue
What’s your favourite movie? Dam Nation, Dawn Wall, Valley Uprising, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
How long have you been climbing for? Since 2014
How did you first get into climbing? There was this guy I was dating in my first year of uni who introduced me to it, and we’d go to the climbing wall together at our university’s fitness center. Our relationship didn’t really end up blossoming… but my love for rock climbing certainly did!
What is your proudest climbing accomplishment? I’m pretty stoked to have climbed in Joshua Tree National Park in California. Nothing beats the view across the desert at the top of a climb. I am enjoying learning route setting, and, I’m currently facing down my fears and learning how to trad climb.
Where have you climbed outdoors? I’ve top-roped outdoors in Joshua Tree National Park in California, Moss Island in New York, and in a couple of state parks in Iowa. I’ve also bouldered in Pinnacles National Park in California and near Sisters, Oregon. In Australia, I have top-roped, sport climbed, and bouldered at heaps of crags around Ngunnawal Country/the ACT, and I have sport climbed at a few crags in Nowra, NSW. I have recently done my first few trad climbing trips at White Rocks, Booroomba Rocks, and Freycinet National Park in Lutruwita/Tasmania.
Do you coach for CIRC? I coach the Mountain Goats Squad at North Rocks in Mitchell. I occasionally coach the Adult Beginner Course.
What are your personal climbing goals? I hope to someday climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. I’ve got a lot of gear to save up for and buy between now and then… In the nearer future, I’m aiming to break into grade 20s and above for sport climbing.
Who is your favorite athlete who inspires you? For a uni course I read Lyn Hill’s memoir Climbing Free, and she’s been my hero ever since. I feel that women are often underestimated in rock climbing, and even more so if they happen to be short women. Lyn is both female and tiny, and she became one of the best rock climbers in the world. I was immensely inspired by all the athletes that made it to the 2020 Olympics for rock climbing’s debut as an Olympic Sport. Lor Sabourin is the first non-binary climber to send a 5.14a on trad, and I appreciate all the advocacy they do for the queer climbing community. Jo Lee, who runs Women Uprising and the Affinity Initiative and is based in Naarm/Melbourne, is perhaps the only woman of colour who is a certified climbing guide in Australia. She is helping me learn how to trad climb and expand my horizons as a climber and aspiring guide, and she’s an all around bada$$.
What are your other hobbies/interests besides climbing? I enjoy creative writing, blogging, and cooking with my husband, Alex. I’ve recently joined the Canberra Lacrosse Club and gotten back into one of my favourite sports from high school.
What advice do you have for newbies who are just trying climbing for the first time? Don’t worry about what the other more experienced climbers at the gym are thinking of you. Chances are if they’re thinking anything about you at all, it’s cheering you on as you tackle your first climbs. The climbing community is generally super laid-back and supportive. We’re all just stoked to see you trying something new and having fun.
What’s the best part of your job at CIRC? I really enjoy helping newbies conquer their first climbs and watching their eyes light up. I have a great time coaching the newer members of our squads for the same reason.