USA

Travel and balance
Climbing provides me the opportunity to see new places, experience travel in a very rich form, meet people from all over the world that enrich my life, and lets me be in the mountains most of my time. Climbing also fills me with drive and passion, two things that I find very important and vital. I love the movement of climbing, I love the community and I love the mountains. I don’t like how it can wear down the human body. As an athlete, I want to push my body and mind to the limit. Unfortunately, we’re human, but I think that is all part of finding the balance with how to incorporate climbing into your life for the long term.

I love running, biking, hiking, cooking and baking. I think all of these allow me to enjoy certain parts of life that I find rewarding and important. The athletic endeavors allow me to push myself physically and see different parts of the landscape of the world. Cooking and baking allow me to share good food with people - which I find invaluable. I love working with the food to create something that we can all enjoy.

Favorite places 
My favorite place is Yosemite. I am very lucky to be able to make my home there. I also love the Bay Area of California as it provides a good balance with the solitude of mountain life of Yosemite.

The natural landscape of Yosemite is unmatched. I could sit in El Cap meadow for hours upon hours and stare at El Cap. There is a special connection that climbers get in Yosemite, the sparrows flying behind you on the wall, the dogwoods blooming on the Valley floor, the echo of the waterfalls in the background, the serene landscape of the high country; it’s endless.

The Bay area is completely different. The attention to quality of food is incredible. Fresh, local, organic food is abundant. The respect that the farmers give to their land reminds me of climbers’ respect for the mountains. 

A strong community
I feel close to my local community. They love climbing for climbing and it’s lifestyle. They don’t get too caught up in only climbing the hardest thing out there, but rather enjoying climbing for why we all started – fun. This allows them to try hard and inspire people with their amazing attitudes. It’s something that has become more and more important to me over the years.

I have a very strong inner drive and desire to push myself. I find it inspiring when others are able to have fun and push themselves as hard as possible. I would hope that I portray that same energy.

The importance of mentors
I think teaching others is one of the most important aspects of the climbing community. I learned most of my climbing values from the generation before me, and I find that invaluable. I think sharing with kids who are starting out enriches our community and what we find important. I feel it’s especially important to share the things I’ve learned with women (I think being able to climb with other women is very important) and with kids.