I started climbing over 30 years ago and quickly found bouldering to be my real calling. I haven't owned a rope since 1995! I climb outside year-round and particularly like winter bouldering, when the air is super dry, the sun is out and the temps are moderate. The past 12 years or so I have been quietly developing The Big Boulder, North Shore Overhangs and The Mysterious Island, all in the Louisville Swamp near the Twin Cities. I have also spent a great deal of time scoping out the potential near Duluth, Odessa and Granite Falls. I have competed in the Phoenix Bouldering Contest twice, placing in the top ten in my age group (OK, so there were only 10 guys in my over 50 age group). My early role model was John Gill and I have traded emails with him on more than one occasion. Sadly, he has never climbed in Minnesota.