Rapidly-aging climber dedicated to finding joy throughout the world.

Started climbing in Joshua Tree in 1979 with guidebook author John Wolfe and the Desert Rats back in the days of goldline rope, tying your own harness, and bolts were hand-drilled, ground up. Made a living working in outdoor education and was the Outward Bound Program Director here in JT when I met my best climbing partner and husband, Todd. Was a teacher and school principal here in the Morongo Basin until retirement in 2016.

I’ve been climbing and putting up new routes all over the word (so far over 45 countries, six continents, hundreds of first ascents) and have learned that working with and for local communities is the key to thoughtful climbing development. I am not too timid to tackle routes that are seriously-less-than-vertical, highly-featured, or within-spitting-distance-of-the-car.

Being a mom and grandma has been my headiest lead.

And always remember—irritability is the first sign of dehydration.