Aaron Stevens (manager)
I came to Climb Iowa by way of Kansas City where I suffered from acrophobia for the first 23 years of my life. Actually, I still suffer from acrophobia; I have just learned to trust my climbing equipment and partners. Just don’t get me in a tall building or out on a bridge! I think I just have a problem trusting engineers. I wonder if that’s because my dad is an engineer.
My path to managing climbing gyms has been an interesting journey. My list of interests/professions have included: veterinarian → accountant → stock broker → print shop laborer → trumpet teacher → orchestral musician → college professor → amateur tournament golfer → climbing gym manager. I have now been a climbing gym manager for the past 10 years and I think I have found my home.
If you ask me what my proudest achievement has been thus far, I will probably say something about golf. Maybe it’s my 20+ tournament wins around the Kansas City area or the fact that those wins let me compete against the legendary Tom Watson in 2007 & 2008. I might tell you that my proudest achievement was my first hole-in-one that came with my dad and long time golfing partner looking on.
Those are always on the back of my mind, but my proudest achievement is when I see someone persevere on the climbing wall and achieve a level they never thought they could attain. Whether that was the climbers first time up the wall or their 10,000th, that is what makes me enjoy my job every day. The fact that I had something to do with their success is all I need.
Favorite Climbing Area: Red River Gorge, Kentucky
When I'm not climbing: Competitive amateur golf and watching reality television shows
Quote: If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate. Tom Watson
Certifications: American Red Cross CPR & First Aid
USA Climbing Level II Route Setter. |
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Dylan Huey (program director)
Dylan has been climbing since he started at UNI in the fall of 2000. He climbed sporadically for several years concentrating mostly on Ultimate Frisbee throughout his time at UNI. After graduation he was able to take more climbing trips. When he moved back to Des Moines he started coaching a climbing team and climbing has become an important part of his life.
Favorite Climbing Areas: Red Rock and Railey, Thailand
Place I would most like to climb: Coastal Spain
When I'm not climbing: Ultimate Frisbee and Photography
Quote: If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. J. R. R. Tolkien |
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Matt Creason (assistant manager)
Matthew is from Kansas City where he used to work at Ibex Climbing Gym. He is working on a Mathematics degree from Iowa State University. He has previously attended school at DeVry, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri-Columbia and does not recommend changing schools this often.
Place I would most like to climb: Bishop CA, Buttermilks
When I'm not climbing: Playing soccer, and guitar
Quote: Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. -Albert Einstein |
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Part-time Staff
Thomas
If you could live anywhere you want, where would that be?
I think I'll have to go snobby and say the south of France. I mean, great bread, great cheese, great wine, great climbing, great weather and on the Mediterranean? It’s hard to beat that. Plus they definitely have the right idea with the 35-hour work week and 8 weeks’ vacation.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mmmm...if I'm forced to pick favorites, I'll go with hazelnut. But really, whatever flavor I'm eating at the time sort of drowns out all the others choices (live in the moment, you know?).
What do you do other than climb?
I'm a distance runner. I've done a lot of middle distance stuff and half-marathons but I'm training for my first full marathon this year. Non-athletically, I'm a graphic designer, so I usually have some web/art project brewing, and I love to cook (though I haven't had much time to indulge in that passion lately). I have some other, dorkier interests, but the knowledge of those you must earn my friends.
What's your favorite climbing gym in the United States?
I haven't been to a huge number of them, but other than our gym, I really liked Stone Gardens in Seattle. They have great bouldering, a huge roof section upstairs and a bunch of cool terrain downstairs.
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Hailey
If you could live anywhere you want, where would that be?
Spain because there's climbing and an ocean and it’s in Europe. Who doesn't want to live in Europe?!
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla
What do you do other than climb?
Swim, bike, climbing trips, and study, hah!
What's your favorite climbing gym in the United States?
Stone Summit in Atlanta; it’s AMAZING!
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Eric
If you could live anywhere you want, where would that be?
I would live in Colorado in a mansion at the top of a mountain.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
My favorite ice cream flavor would be cake batter from Coldstone.
What do you do other than climb?
I play football and baseball.
What's your favorite climbing gym in the United States?
My favorite climbing gym would be climb Iowa because it is so close to home and such an awesome place.
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Peggy
If you could live anywhere you want, where would that be?
Anywhere warm with mountains and beautiful scenery.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Banana Cream Pie
What do you do other than climb?
Golf/Hiking/Volleyball
What's your favorite climbing gym in the United States?
Of course, Climb Iowa
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Mary
If you could live anywhere you want, where would that be?
Germany
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mackinac Fudge
What do you do other than climb?
Book Club, Shop and spend time with my husband.
What's your favorite climbing gym in the United States?
Upper Limits, St. Louis, Missouri
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Kelsey
If you could live anywhere you want, where would that be?
Colorado
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint ice cream
What do you do other than climb?
Horse ridding, archery, painting, College, biking
What's your favorite climbing gym in the United States?
Climb Iowa
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Angela
If you could live anywhere you want, where would that be?
Anywhere it won’t dip below 65 degrees! I’m a cold-blooded individual, so anything much below 70 gives me goose bumps and makes me shiver. In addition, snow is my enemy, so any location where it won’t snow, I love!
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
cheesecake flavored ice cream.
What do you do other than climb?
I am a student at Mercy College of Health Sciences (Studying polysomnography- sleep studies, and taking classes for a Bachelor’s of health sciences-pre med). I also tutor for Physics, Physiology, Anatomy, Biology, Algebra, and Pre Algebra. Occasionally, I assist for Anatomy labs at DMACC and watch my niece. In a nutshell, I’m a nerd—there’s never a time I’m not doing science-y things or talking about them. When I have spare time I enjoy anything that involves being around people, play piano/oboe, and SLEEP!
What's your favorite climbing gym in the United States?
I haven’t been to an indoor gym other than Climb Iowa, so I couldn’t say.
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Ryan
If you could live anywhere you want, where would that be?
I would live in Iowa because it’s the best place to hunt.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
My favorite ice cream is a blizzard with Reeses Peanut Butter Cups in it.
What do you do other than climb?
I hunt, bow fish, fish, work, play with my puppy, hang out with people, and paintball.
What's your favorite climbing gym in the United States?
My favorite gym is ibex because of their cool angles.
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Our Team
We want you to know and feel comfortable with us here at Climb Iowa. Take some time and learn a little bit about the people who work at Climb Iowa.
Each Climb Iowa employee truly has a passion for climbing. We have all come from various backgrounds to meet here and share that passion with you. We are here to enhance your climbing experience and know that you will learn to love climbing as much as we do.
Application for employment (PDF)
Climb Iowa
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