Climbing Staff

BRET.JOHNSTON

Bret Johnston Manager

1. I have two wiener dogs.
2. More than one VW member probably babysat me as a kid.
3. I am the youngest USAC National Chief Routesetter in the country.
4. I am a fantasy football nerd.
5. Vertical World is family.
Contact Bret

evan

Evan Stickles Assistant Manager

1. I have two middle names. James and Lally.
2. If I were to be in a band, I would be in a ska band which would be called ’ups and downs, but mostly ups’.
3. When daydreaming at work, I usually travel off to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to do some sunny day cliff jumping with good friends.
4. To woo my friendship, a simple grilled cheese and a smile is usually a solid beginning.
5. Have a positive mental attitude to live a story worth telling for the greater good.
Contact Evan

Mattie

Mattie J. Wheeler Regional Director of Programs and Instruction

1. I first drove a car when I was 10 on the Bonneville salt flats speedway. My dad had me sit on a phonebook to be able to see over the wheel.
2. Foraging is the best! Berries, Morels, Chantrelles, and Asparagus are mostly what I seek but I’m always trying to learn more.
3. I enjoy simple pleasures like watching it rain when the sun shines through it and you can see every drop.
4. I dream of living on a lot of land and owning a cow.
5. I like trucks, Toyota Trucks.
Contact Mattie.

Alex

Alex Aizenman Seattle Head Setter/Facilities Coordinator

1. I choose to believe that I am descendant from the Maqabim, an ancient Jewish warrior tribe (this is very unlikely)
2. Rare is the occasion that I am in possession of the big three - phone, keys, wallet - at the same time
3. If you invite me over I will leave my phone, keys, or wallet at your house (this extends to my sunglasses and backpack)
4. If you climb with me there is a decent chance of epicing and I will probably play my flute while I belay you.
5. No one knows this but I am actually a fairly decent banjo player. But I don’t like bluegrass so I haven’t heard that song.
Contact Alex.

Jeff Narva Instructor

1. I prefer modes of transportation that involve 2 wheels and a motor.
2. I actively seek out Type II Fun.
3. I have a disappointing negative 2″ ape index.
4. Bob Gaines once told me I build excellent anchors.
5. I want ALL the ProDeals.

Tim McCool Front Desk

1. Born in Kansas, bred in North Carolina
2. I’ve memorized 800 digits of Pi
3. I maintain several Pinball High Scores around Seattle
4. I speak a small amount of Japanese and Mandarin
5. Avid cuddler of pets

brian

Brian Luft Front Desk

1. Aspires to have a flock of sheep.
2. Favorite former professional wrestler is John “Bradshaw” Layfield.
3. Moonlights as a pastry chef.
4. Favorite explorer is Ernest Shackleton.
5. One of the above is not true.

Billy Gierach Team Coach/Routesetter

1. I almost walked on to the University of Colorado Boulder’s basketball team until I discovered climbing.
2. My first ever climb outside was a free solo of the direct route on the first flatiron in Boulder, Colorado.
3. I have many pending publications with my findings in my honors thesis titled, ”Synaptogyrin 3 Binds Amyloid Beta and May Alter Dopamine Transport in Alzheimer’s Disease.”
4. Cereal is my motivation to get up in the morning, not coffee… Yes, I still like coffee.
5. I am named after the philosopher William James.

Tristan O’Mara Head Instructor/Retail Coordinator

1. I know more names of wildflowers than I do people.
2. My favorite inanimate object is a train.
3. When I’m adventuring outside, I follow a strict pop tart only diet.
4. I can’t whistle to save my life.
5. My most embarrassing climbing moment is when I tore my leggings at the top of Mt Shuksan and had to descend with my butt showing. Yes, there were other people around.
Contact Tristan

PJ Daley Groups Coordinator

1. I’m a hobbyist photographer.

2. I meow sometimes when surprised.

3. I’ve climbed in Argentina.

4. I wrote a book before college.

5. I love red wine.

Contact PJ

Corey Kessler Front Desk/Team Coach

1. I’m originally from San Diego.

2. I’m currently working towards a degree in Exercise Science from Seattle Pacific University.

3. Bouldering is my one true passion.

4. A fatty beach rot is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

5. One day I hope to own a performance sports clinic.

Nick3

Nick Franko Instructor

1. I have a bifid uvula.

2. Each of my grandparents is from a different continent.

3. I’ve summited each of the 5 Washington Volcanoes.

4. I dressed up as Pajama Sam for Halloween 3 years in a row (as an adult).

5. My diet while climbing consists solely of Shot Bloks (Clif Bar Please sponsor me).

Contact Nick

Renata Kalnin Youth Program Coordinator

1. I have all the jumping ability of the average corgi. This doesn’t stop me from trying to dyno, and I’ll stick one someday.
2. In college, I studied public health and worked the night shift as an EMT.
3. I’ve climbed 4 of the hundred highest peaks in Washington in one 24 hour period, from two trailheads.
4. Nearly all of my outdoor gear is lime green. It’s not my favorite color, but it is a color that goes on sale a lot.
5. My preferred climbing/backpacking/ski touring fuel is Swedish fish.
Contact Renata

Andrew2

Andrew Featherston Events & Outreach Coordinator

1. I am an identical twin.

2. I once summited Mt Fuji in shorts.

3. If I had to eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be chips and salsa

4. In high school, my youth club ultimate team won a national championship.

5. Wayne Brady once asked me if I had a dog biscuit, I didn’t

Contact Andrew

Brock_Dion (1)

Brock Dion

1. My sourdough starter’s name is Leaven Worth.

2. I’ve restored a conversion van and helped restore a sailboat.

3. As a kid, I once had a 2nd degree sunburn. I hate vinegar because of it.

4. Once, while surfing, one of my fins split the webbing on my left-hand.

5. Cream cheese gives me the hiccups.

jory

Jory Griffith

1. I once ran into an electric fence because I was too excited about seeing alpacas (I love alpacas).

2. I went to university in Canada and now regularly say “eh”.

3. I can hyperextend my elbows. Ask me to do it it’s extremely disturbing.

4. The worst injury I’ve had was from falling on a treadmill.

5. My one wish is for my dog to love me. I try so hard but she remains aloof.

Willie_Willcoxson (1)

Willie Wilcoxson

1. I never climbed trees as a kid because I thought it was too dangerous.
2. My high school’s marching band won state championships my senior year for which I played the clarinet.
3. I will eat (almost) any food offered me.
4. My first driver’s license listed my weight as 95 lbs.
5. I am going to school to become a nurse.

Mady Gabriel (1) (1)

Mady Gabriel

1. I moved 13 times before graduating high school.
2. I can ride a unicycle.
3. Always down to chat about gross medical stuff (the nursing student in me can’t resist).
4. I am 6’ tall…
5. …but NO, I’ve never played basketball!

Cassandra Nickerson (1) (1)

Cassandra Nickerson

1. I summited Mount Fuji during the worst rainfall of the season.
2. I’m a certified master scuba diver.
3. My cat has extra toes.
4. My tent flooded and soaked everything I owned when I was backpacking in the Himalayas (rain loves me I guess).
5. I can touch my thumb to my forearm.

thumbnail_stutts_pat

Patrick Stutts

1. I worked in the music industry while living in Nashville (where I’m from) and once was a DJ for Ed Sheeran’s post-show party.
2. No I do not have a country accent…maybe a little.
3. I spent two weeks of summer 2014 showing cattle at the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield, Missouri…where I also babysat a pig named Petunia.
4. I can play just about any stringed instrument and can whistle like a boss; sorry Tristan.
5. I love French Toast. Please bring me French Toast.

Mike Malpasuto

1. I WWOOFed on a 2 acre mixed vegetable farm in Everett
2. I studied Latin and Ancient Greek in college, and I was a high school Latin teacher for a year
3. I am a certified tax professional
4. A not-so-uncommon meal for me is an entire loaf of bread
5. I played Gaston in my school’s Beauty and the Beast