"Climbing is my passion. I have been climbing more that half my life and I can’t imagine what life would be without it."
1.When did you start climbing?
I started climbing in 2009 at the age of eight. My cousin took me to Reading Rocks and I found the height of the wall exhilarating. I continued climbing every Friday night with my Dad for a year, until I found the Philadelphia Rock Gym. I decided to join the competitive team and I have been competing ever since.
2.What do you do when you are not climbing? (Other hobbies/ sports)
I run cross country and I pole vault for my school during the year. I like playing other sports because it increases my overall physical fitness. I have been skiing ever since I was little, so that is always a fun thing to do on the weekends when it gets cold out. Recently, I have picked up yoga and meditation. These activities have really helped me to control my mental state especially during competition. I also love to cook! You can catch me at breakfast, lunch, or dinner whipping up some delicious meals.
3.If you had to name one thing that gets you totally psyched about climbing, what would that be?
I am a very competitive person. I love succeeding, like most people, but there is something about failure that gets me super psyched. I have a hard time accepting failure, so when I am working a project, I use that burning anger inside of me to keep me going. Kinda dark, but it works!
4.What is your most memorable comp?
My most memorable comp is, hands down, Dominion Riverrock. It was my second year competing at the competition, but it was my first time qualifying for finals. I was struggling on the start for a while, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. When I finally figured it out, the crowd was with me the whole time, cheering me up the wall. I sent the climb with 2 seconds remaining and the biggest smile on my face. The most memorable part was that I was on the podium with female climbers I have been looking up to since I was in Youth-D, which was really cool.
5.What is the most memorable climb/ boulder problem that you have ever completed or attempted? (inside or out or both)
My most memorable climb was probably back in 2016 when I sent my first 5.13a. I worked Skin Boat at the Red River Gorge for a week. After falling post-crux three moves from the top on the second to last day, I overcame my frustration, hopped back on the climb the last day and ended up leaving with the send.
6.Do you have any ongoing projects that are just killing you?
Always, I recently took a trip down to the Red with the intentions of finding a really hard proj. I came home with 5. I plan on going back this fall and possibly putting down a few sends.
7.If you never discovered climbing, what would you be doing now?
I don’t even want to think about it! I can’t imagine my life without climbing. I think I would still be active in my other sports and hobbies.
8.Favorite music to send to!?
EDM gets me climbing hard, specifically This Girl by Kungs. Give it a listen. I guarantee you’ll send your current proj.
9.Climber that you most look up to?
I look up to strong, tall, female climbers. People like Alex Johnson and Claire Burfiend are really inspiring to me because I am a tall girl. Being tall has its ups and downs, but I love seeing the way they climb because it shows me what I can do with my body. I also look up to the older generation of climbers because it reminds me that climbing is a life long sport and passion.
10.Top 3 Climbing locations?
The Red is one of my favorites because it is a classic climbing location and I have been climbing there since I was 11. Back in 2012, I took a trip to South Africa and had an amazing time. I hope to get back soon and put down some hard sends. I have also done some climbing in Cascais, Portugal. It’s a unique climbing destination because the cliffs are right along the ocean, which creates a nice scenery after reaching the anchors. I haven’t climbed a lot out west, but I am hoping to go to college out there and sample the climbing at Boulder, Bishop, J Tree, or wherever I end up.
11.Do you prefer pulling plastic or real rock?
I prefer real rock. I don’t get outside as much as I want to, but when I do I cherish it. I like being able to hop on a route and figure out what holds to use, not just the ones that are taped. I do like climbing inside because I enjoy competing. In the end real rock or plastic, I enjoy myself either way.
12.Why do you climb?
Climbing is my passion. I have been climbing more that half my life and I can’t imagine what life would be without it. Climbing has given me the opportunity to travel around the world, meet new people, and challenge myself both physically and mentally. I can always improve and therefore climb for the rest of my life.
