Staff Profiles

We like climbing

The Front is proud to have a talented, diverse, and knowledgeable staff. Look below to find the answers to all of those juicy questions you've always wanted to ask but were too shy.

Our routes are as unique and diverse as the people who set them. Check out the staff stats to gain a deeper insight into your bouldering experience at The Front. Setters' initials are labeled on the tape next to the starting hold of each problem.

Amy

Where's your home town? Grew up in the frightening town of West Valley and now live in Syracuse for the past 10 years.

What got you into climbing? My husband.

Where is your favorite climbing area? Maple Canyon and Wild Iris.

Other interests? Snowboarding, fly fishing, camping, hiking, biking and slack lining.

What is your favorite crag snack? Trail mix and PBR.

Erika

What got you into climbing? I am really clumsy when it comes to "physical activity." I wanted a sport/lifestyle that I could excel at and be passionate about.

What do you do to train for climbing? I climb, and breathe.

Other interests? Yoga, and walking really slow in the mountains to see all of the cool and pretty things! Really just anything outdoorsy.

What is your favorite crag snack? A Crunchy Peanut Butter Cliff Bar. And I really like water.

What are your goals for climbing? Keep climbing, learn lots, and love wherever it takes me!

jason

Where's your home town? Ogden, UT

What got you into climbing? I always thought to myself when people would be climbing that I got to try that, it looks like something I would be good at. Turns out I love it

Maggie

What got you into climbing? The need to overcome an overwhelming fear of heights.

Where is your favorite climbing area? The Red River Gorge, Kentucky.

Where is your dream climbing trip? Oh-so-many places to go! Spain, Greece, France, Turkey, China, back to Mexico...Clark Mountain, Mt. Potosi, Jailhouse Rock. Options both far and near.

What do you do to train for climbing? Climb, practice yoga, and climb some more.

Other interests? Ashtanga!

What is your favorite crag snack? Brie and a baguette...but what do I actually eat at the crag? Zone bars.

What are some of your notable achievements? I started climbing when I was 28, redpointed my first 5.12 at 37, and my first 5.13 at 41.

What are your goals for climbing? Aiming for 5.14 by 45. Two years to go...

Mike

Where's your home town? Conneaut, Ohio

What got you into climbing? Climbers always looked so strong yet peaceful from across the way at the CrossFit gym.

Where is your favorite climbing area? Maple Canyon, Pipedream Logan Canyon, China Cave

Where is your dream climbing trip? Kalymnos

What do you do to train for climbing? Just climb as much as my body will let me paired with yoga.

Other interests? long boarding, mountain biking, yoga, reading, fishing

What is your favorite crag snack? Nutella on pita bread

What are some of your notable achievements? Served 8 years in the US military

What are your goals for climbing? My climbing goals are to continue having fun with it while staying healthy and happy.

Rumsy

Where's your home town? Talent, Oregon

What got you into climbing? My human. I don't actually climb much, my job is to mark the trail in case we get lost and I need to lead the way back to the car.

Where is your favorite climbing area? Any Front Climbing Club.

Where is your dream climbing trip? Doesnt matter. As long there are good views and long trails.

What are some of your notable achievements? For as much as I sleep...

Shad

What got you into climbing? Looking at the Tetons as a kid.

Where is your favorite climbing area? Anywhere that is cold, wet, and miserable.

Where is your dream climbing trip? Ruth Gorge, AK, Pakistan, the desert, Patagonia, and the Front.

What do you do to train for climbing? Eat, vegetate, and read about cooler people doing cooler things, ... oh, and climb.

Other interests? Reading, mountain biking, trail running, skiing, sailing, and epics.

What is your favorite crag snack? Bagels and this really good trail mix in the bulk food bins at Smith's.

What are some of your notable achievements? Climbed the Cassin Ridge on Denali (Mt. Mickinley), Denali NP, AK (2012). Winter Ascent of The Black Ice Coulior on the Grand Teton, GTNP, WY (2012). Certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (2010). FA of The Solva Buttress Direct Var., Mendenhall Towers, Juneau, AK (2010).

What are your goals for climbing? Climb in Patagonia Continue to explore and develop the climbing in Ogden, UT.

Shane

Where's your home town? Layton City UT.

What got you into climbing? My friends did over 15 years ago. We bought a rope and headed to the local crag.

Where is your favorite climbing area? Little Cottonwood Canyon and Joes Valley will have to duke it out for first place. Both areas are special.

Where is your dream climbing trip? Virgin Gorda! Granite boulders, beaches and bikinis.

What do you do to train for climbing? Climb! I try to eat healthy and rest when my body tells me to, oh, and I climb on the best set routes in the world at The Front Climbing Club!

Other interests? Reading,fly fishing,camping,anything outside.

What is your favorite crag snack? Butterfinger donut and a PBR.

What are some of your notable achievements? Tough question. I cant remember every warmup, project, or for that matter, send. But I do remember the feeling. Every top-out and every high point is an achievement. I'm happy to still be climbing after all these years and plan on never stopping.