Notable climbers living in Golden?

I'm doing a thing for work about the grand opening of the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum, and for a sidebar, I was thinking about listing notable climbers who call Golden home. Definition of "climber" is flexible -- alpinists, boulderers, etc. The only names I have on my list right now are Craig Luebben, Jake Norton, and John Mitchler (Mitchler is the author of the guidebook Hiking Colorado's Summits). Any help is appreciated.

tom carr

B,

I searched the AAC directory and came up with a few:
Eric Weihenmayer George Lowe III Charley Mace

Tom Carr , you've probably never heard of him or his brother....but they have a list of accomplishments as big as this site.....

I went ice climbing with some friends from Alaska this weekend and a girl named Merrik goes to the Colorado School of Mines and climbed Denali with her mom at the age of 12. I guess she recently brought someone younger up .... this was just one of the stories ...

Damm that's funny... I was about to say "What about theREALangry!" John Langston is probably one of the most accomplished trad climbers on this site, at least in terms of difficulty. Maybe that is taking it a bit far, but he is at least one of the best trad climbers in podunk Golden!

Ken Trout

Kevin Stricker wrote:Damm that's funny... I was about to say "What about theREALangry!" John Langston is probably one of the most accomplished trad climbers on this site, at least in terms of difficulty. Maybe that is taking it a bit far, but he is at least one of the best trad climbers in podunk Golden!

Tom Carr wrote:Ken Trout

Tod Anderson has a huge resume. Big peaks, 5.12 trad, 5.13 sport, big walls, Access Fund coordinator, AAC, at least a 1000 routes from CWC to Table to Clear Creek to - of course - The Head. Knows vast amounts of beta about almost everywhere. The most under-recognized climber in Colorado.

Richard Wright needs a mention too, although he is technically in Lakewood; he's close to the border with Golden. Rifle. Empire. His enthusiasm for climbing is best described as "redlined", and it has not diminished an iota in the 20 years since I met him. Plus, he's a scientist!

I'll plug Maceyka, Everist, J Rome, & Mabe for their various contributions to climbing in one aspect or another.

I think REAL's take on Peru & his friggin solid ability over all aspects will bring him up to that alpine free big wall grade VII+ next-gen.

Ken Trout is one of my climbing hero's, the routes he put up in the 80's in the South Platte are still respected today.

John Langstrom has soloed the Casual Route and Horn's Mother, put up sick OW testpieces in Vedawoo and climbs like a banshee in the desert.

I would say that if you want to get a real cross section of climbers it might be best if you do not only pick people who "Have Done it" and also get some guys who are still doing it today.

Climbing is evolving and the it is important to evolve with it and not stay stuck in the past. Not trying to disrespect any of the old dads, as many of them are still my inspiration. I just think it might be interesting to represent younger climbers as they make up a much larger percentage of the climbing population. Just my 0.02.

I have changed my profile photo in honor of Ken!

Another vote for Ken Trout, his South Platte routes are awesome.

Ken Trout, for sure. I "met" him during an epic retreat from Castleton Tower in spring 1983. That fall, I landed a job at the old Forrest Mountain shop on Platte Street (that'll date me). Something about the way he pronounced "traverse" sounded familiar; I was sure I'd heard it during the many-hours-long trek back to the camping area (13 of us, a new moon, and one flashlight). Sure enough, Ken had been there. Working with him at Forrest taught me a helluva lot about climbing history and gear.
The most impressive thing I ever heard about Ken was that he left retail to teach middle school science. A4 has nothing on that experience!

Don't forget Megan Emmons. She's at Mines now and isn't climbing as much as she used to. She was the youngest person to do just about everything in Colorado. Climbed all the 14-ers by the time she was 7. Or something like that. 5.13 at 12 and more...
Mal

Retro resident Layton Kor lived in Golden in the seventies.

Doesn't Beth Bennett live on the front range? 1st female ascent of The Naked Edge!!!

I think John Langston should be voted in!!!

George Lowe...but doesn't meet the 'notable' criteria...'iconic' perhaps?

What about Christian Griffith and Matt Samet, are those guys still on the front range?...I know you said Golden...but, does Boulder count?

clmbrchick wrote:What about Christian Griffith and Matt Samet, are those guys still on the front range?...I know you said Golden...but, does Boulder count?