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URBAN CLIMBER MAGAZINE - UNEARTHED
Profiles of some good people on the scene by UCMAG
UNEARTHED is Sponsored by SCARPA — NO PLACE TOO FAR |
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 Caryn Courcier
If you visited Rifle Mountain Park in the summer of 2008, then undoubtedly you’ve seen Caryn Courcier. The small girl with dark brown curls streaming from underneath a black helmet spent her time projecting hard routes that whole season. Helmets are great and save lives, but let’s face it, they’re a little dorky. Caryn’s helmet usage was one out of necessity though. Though she was advised not to climb due to factor V Leiden...  JOSH SHEPHERD
When I think of Josh Shepherd, I immediately picture the giant image of his face printed on the Appalachian State climbing team banner that hung in the university’s gym . . . . The weird thing is, I don’t believe he was even an active member of the team at that time. But Josh has definitely contributed in a positive way to the climbing community in Boone, North Carolina, whether it’s been to clean excess grease, chalk, and tick marks at well-traveled areas, send the hard classics around town with friends, or lend a friendly smile to a fellow climber.  MIKE SPAULDING
I met Mike Spaulding on a road trip to Seattle with my buddy Jonathan Siegrist. We stopped in Idaho to climb at City of Rocks, and this hobbit-looking guy with long hair and bare feet walked up to us and introduced himself. Light was waning fast, and I figured there was barely enough time to set up my tent. Mike, however, said, “Rad, barely enough time to show you this boulder!” Within moments Mike was pad wrangling and spotting for us as we climbed one of the best V5s on the planet.  JILL CHURCH
Jill Church may be the strongest female climber you’ve never heard of. I first heard of her from some friends while climbing in Hueco. They said she was super psyched to climb and made quick work of whatever problems she tried. It’s unusual for a climber of Jill’s caliber (she’s climbed more than half a dozen V10s and twice as many V9s) to fly under the radar, particularly when said woman can consistently be found among the top five in the 8a.nu Female Boulder Ranking.  ERIN CROCKER
When I first met Erin, in summer 2006, she was new to climbing and was projecting Fossil Family, a classic (slimy) 5.12a at Rifle. By the end of the summer she’d sent. Next summer, she worked her way up several hard 5.12c’s, and in November, she did her first 5.12d. Soon she was back in Rifle, and by September 2008, she did Vision Thing, (5.13b). To recap, that’s 12a to 13b in two years. It’s a wonder Erin even found climbing. She grew up in Michigan, where she rode horses competitively, and then attended CU-Boulder, where she earned a BA in Psychology. . . . and discovered climbing.  HEATHER ROBINSON
Heather's style, in a nutshell, is a mix of never-ending psych and a serious thirst for rock climbing that makes you feel guilty for not trying harder. She never makes excuses and rarely complains. She's hardworking, has a rad job, climbs hard, and still always remembers that climbing is, above all, about fun. Urban Climber is pleased to announce that Heather Robinson has been selected as the Unearthed Climber of the Year (UCOTY). As the UCOTY, Robinson joins Team SCARPA. Big congrats!  AUSTIN L. MANNING
I finish up the didactic portion of grad school this spring and then move to Denver for an administrative residency. I’m there for at least a year and then, after that, who knows. Hopefully to a C-suite position in a hospital with some time to get outside and climb. This past fall I also attempted my first big mountain and had a blast. I certainly foresee more alpine climbing in my future.  JEN GOINGS
With her movie star eyes and smoldering personality, Jen-Go is an ‘Ever Ready-Mix’ of curious enthusiasm, always hip and mischievous. A great listener who actually thinks before responding, normally with dry humor and intelligent wit. Jen has all one could wish for in a solid climbing partner.  TED PETERSON
Ted was 8 and I was 40 when we started climbing. He learned from books, older climbers, mentors, and experience. And he shares his lessons with me, although he’s never known how much he’s taught me. From watching him work a problem, changing his tactics until he found success, I learned to persevere and adapt. Watching him set anchors taught me to see things for what they are, and predict what might happen.  SHEYNA ROSE BUTTON
Having traveled through miles of misfortune, Sheyna Button looks only to the redeeming road ahead. Like the looking glass of an alpine lake, Sheyna’s surface appears calmer than her depths. A full-time student and over-worked-back-broken laborer, she approaches climbing like she approaches life: one sketchy piece at a time.  JOE MORGAN
I heard rumors of Joe Morgan, “The Tram God”, prior to my first visit to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. He’s got countless first ascents at the Tram – and the highballs?! He’s done them all, with half being his own FAs. He’s the dude you want to meet. While I was there for the first time, with a crew that ranged from V0 noobs to V11 crushers, I happened to run into Joe.  BRIAN ARNOLD
When I met Brian at a bouldering comp in Ohio, he was a big fish in a small pond, winning many of the local comps but never venturing far from his home, in Xenia. At the time, Brian hadn’t done a V10, but I’d never seen anyone as fierce about trying hard. Brian and I both grew up with brothers, so it was only natural that we’d develop a competitive relationship.  LES(LIE) WARNOCK
The Local: Chandler Park, Zen Pen, Four Rooms, Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma; Memorable Ticks: Soul Slinger (V9), Buttermilks; Skywalker (V9) , Landslide (V9), Slider (V9), Horse Pens 40; Flash Gordon (V10), Horseshoe Canyon Ranch; Hell Boy low start (V9 FA), Four Rooms  KENNY RAY BARKER
When first I met Kenny five years ago, he looked like a prison escapee: tall and lanky with a shaved head and bright orange pants. He’d just flown off a problem at the local gym. Cursing loudly, he hurled a cheap plastic chair, shattering it. I never would’ve guessed I’d one day call him my boyfriend.  GARRETT KOEPPICUS
Garrett studied animation at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He possesses an impressive imagination that fuels his artistic work and pervades his life. Flexing his creativity on the rock, he has a knack for unlocking enigmatic boulder problems and values the aesthetics of a line. Befitting his creative personality, Garrett excels at FAs and the development of new areas. |
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