Mazamas Leader Profile

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Climbing Since: 2006

Mazamas Leader Since: 2011

Preferred Pace
(1-slow, 5-fast): 3.25

I Like Climbing On: Everything

Mazamas Service: ICS Coordinator (2012-2013), ICS Assistant Coordinator (2011-2012), ASI Committee 2011 - present, Publications Committee 2008 - 2010 (Chair 2009-2010), Assist regularly with BCEP, ICS, ASI, AR.

Major Climbing Achievements: Climbing in the Cordillera Real of the Bolivian Andes was kind of a big deal for me, especially Pequeño Alpamayo and Huayna Potosi. Transitioning from student to instructor in the various Mazamas climbing education programs has also been rewarding and a lot of fun. I've also really enjoyed the whole process of becoming the blissfully mediocre ice climber I am today.

Climbing and Leadership Philosophy: I'm a fan of Ed Viester's motto: “Getting to the top is optional, but getting down is mandatory." We want to be safe. We want to have fun. We want an adventure. In that order.

Favorite Summit Treat: Half-time treats are all fine and well, but to be honest I'm much more interested in a cold, hoppy IPA and a cheeseburger at the end of the climb.

Personal Information: Here is a fun fact about me: although I am a Mazama, I am not an engineer. I know that probably sounds implausible, but it's true! In fact (don't tell the engineers), I'm actually a humanities guy. I moved to Portland in 2000 on a dare, soon after abandoning an extremely non-lucrative career as a university philosophy professor. Once I saw all of these glaciated volcanoes, the eventual transition from avid hiker to climber was a pretty natural one. Climbing, after all, is simply philosophy by other means, if not a metaphor for life itself. All the grand themes are there: suffering and joy, triumph and tragedy, contingency and necessity, hubris and humility, nature and technology, limits and the overcoming of limits, individuality and universality, finitude and eternity. Oh yeah, and beer. Don’t forget about beer.