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Don't let go
Trad climber
Yorba Linda, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 6, 2005 - 05:20pm PT
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I have been asking pretty much every climber that I meet now what they do to make money and what educational background they have. At first I was surprised by the results but not anymore. I have found that if I had to stereotype a climber they would be: a hippie, with a college education in some sort of physical science (ie math, physics, engineering) and they don't work any more than necessary in order to afford to go climbing. Oh yeah, they are also drunk pot heads (but that's kind of included with the whole hippie thing.)
PS I'm not intending to insult anyone. I don't do drugs. And drinking too much is not for me. But I am studying to be an engineer and I really want to work for a year and then quit and live off of that money to go climbing for as long as possible.
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Cracko
Trad climber
Quartz Hill, California
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Middle School Principal
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deuce4
Big Wall climber
Pagosa Springs CO
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middle class yupster
--reporter for the town paper, local computer dude, engineering consulting, misc. Anyone need a tensile fabric structure?
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can't say
Social climber
Pasadena CA
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currently a sports massage therapist, but when I climbed more I did whatever it took to go climbing as much as I could.
(edit: spoorts, er sports massage I mean..guess the eyes are going quicker then imagined or I just didn't look to hard when I was typing)
drink and smoke daily, just not that much...moderation..moderation, just lots of moderation
BA in History from USC, taught high school for a while, but man it sure did age me quickly.
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Gary
climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
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"currently a spoorts massage therapist,"
Does the spoorting imply a "happy finish"?
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malabarista
Trad climber
San Francisco, Ca
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QA software engineer
...entirely self taught software engineer, my degree was in ecology.
...i never worked a "real" job until I was 26, before that I traveled thru Europe working as a street juggler and then around South America (where I started climbing).
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Forest
Trad climber
Tucson, AZ
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Software engineer for a company in San Jose.
Education is a BA (no, not a BS) in Computer Science.
I'm not a drunk pothead, but I was raised by hippies. :-)
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Irisharehere
Trad climber
Gunks
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Finishing up a Ph.D in Infectious Diseases
Not a pothead, but I have been known to drink a bit more than is good for me, especially at the annual Daksfest ice weekend.......
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Ouch!
climber
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Freelance gynecologist and power grid operator.
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BoKu
Sport climber
Douglas Flat, CA
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Information Architect (I design manual sets, but I don't get to write them) and part time developer of nuclear fusion powered aircraft.
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Shack
Trad climber
So. Cal.
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Operations/Service Manager
Electromechanical Troubleshooting
BA in Electronics Engineering
Don't drink alot, but a regular smoker. ;)
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David
Trad climber
San Rafael, CA
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pixel pusher
Masters in Fine Art
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Scott_Nelson
Trad climber
San Diego
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Analyst, Consulting firm
B.S. Management Science
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Shack
Trad climber
So. Cal.
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Boy, Do we have some BORING sounding jobs, or what! Hahaha!!
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Gene
climber
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Financial Fiction
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
St. Louis
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University Professor (primarily researcher)
Great job for time off to climb.
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maculated
Trad climber
San Luis Obispo, CA
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University lecturer (what crimpergirl said) and writer. Might be dabbling in a little something something else. We'll see.
I guess I'm a yippie. I have "Free Tibet" sticker on my SUV. All the worthy causes run by celebrities flood my mailbox each day. Silly them, thinking I have money to donate.
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Peter
climber
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Haha
"Don't Let Go" - what's the point of going to school and studying something that you're already looking forward to quitting?
I find two classes of climbers.
1. Those who spent years climbing hard, smoking pot and avoiding school or white collar work. Finally they found something meaningful they could focus on. Now they just climb for fun.
2. Those who went to school like their parents told them they should, and after 1,2 5, 10 or more years realised that their professional white collar office job was boring them to death. I have met an astonishing number of engineers who are now carpenters. Ooops, I mean, real estate developers. Like me.
Climbing's pretty cheap. Why not quit school now and go back when you think of something you're interested in?
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Don't let go
Trad climber
Yorba Linda, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 6, 2005 - 09:08pm PT
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Peter, I appreciate your advice. I have made it through almost three years of mechanical engineering at UC Irvine. I'm at the point now where it would be foolish for me to quit. Plus I do have parents breathing down my neck and I imagine that they might expect all of the money they gave me and maybe even rent for the past three years if I were to quit. If I get my BS I can get a job around 40-60k a year. I know how to live cheaply so one year of working equates to at least a year of touring the world climbing anything and everything. It would be fun to drop off the face of the real world for a while to climb. However it seems like the best chance that I have of that is finishing school, making money and then just quit when I need too. Some day maybe I'll be good enough to be a guide and then I can live at the crags.
And I don't totally hate school. I have wanted to be an engineer for years. My mind works that way. I think I'm a better climber for it. I find myself doing stress and force analysis as I'm climbing. You'd be surprised at how much that can help. But you never know what is going to happen. I might end up being a carpenter. I'm just so close to being a rocket scientist at this point it makes sense to finish it. (I do go climbing after classes at Pirates Cove which is a nice little bouldering area on the beach 15 minutes from school. That helps to keep me sane.)
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phillip mike revis
climber
snowbird, ut
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i wait tables at ritzy upsate ny resort lodge in summer/wait tables at a ritzy ski lodge in alta utah in winter (snowbird won't hire hippies) buy whiskey by the gallon and weed by the ounce don't strait up rock climb as much as i used to but i spend 300 days a year in the mountains skiing mountaineering climbing or any combo of the three i have BA in theoretical mathematics worked at rti for two years fifteen years ago couldn't stand the nine to five monday to friday gig wasted too much daylight indoors
my advice
get your degree it gives you some credibility
get a real job makes some dough and quit before you get married and have kids
get a night job (it is the only time folks with money to spend get out)
spend as much time as you can in the mountains
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BrentA
Gym climber
estes park
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i play cards...try not to work, enjoy much alpinglow
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Shack
Trad climber
So. Cal.
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Thanks alot Phillip!
Where were you 20 years ago when I could have used that advice?!
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David Nelson
climber
San Francisco
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BS, Electrical Engineering (worked for National Semiconductor)
MS, Philosophy of Science (for fun)
MD, orthopedics residency, hand fellowship (for fun and for service to my fellow man, and, incidentally, it pays the rent)
Don't quit engineering, it is a great base for doing a lot of other things in life, and I suspect that climbing will not be a lifelong, fulfilling activity the way it is now, but will hopefully be a lifelong, fulfilling activity in a new way as the years go on. It is bad to be stuck at the same level all your life. You want to grow and change. If I thought and acted now, at 54, the way I did when I was 24, I would be a very boring and very bored guy. Kick ass all the way through life and enjoy every minute!
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golsen
Social climber
kennewick, wa
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sheesh, here I thought I was sharing with a bunch of climbing bums and they have as boring jobs as me! Well not quite, but...
BS Chemical Eng
MS Environmental Engineering
Work at getting rid of WMD.....I have quit and tried some different things too.
Dont Let GO - Your a smart college student, finish that degree, make the parents proud, get a bit of experience under your belt and dont sign up for the M&M&C's til you are ready (Mortgage, Marriage and Kids) but they too are the spice of life!
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lad
Trad climber
near Fresno, CA
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DLG... UC Irvine eh.... not so far from my ole stompin grounds and pirates cove. Here's a good workout - climb down at the cove (it they still allow it) til you're pumped , then run/hop as fast as you can to the end of the jetti - jump in on the Carona del Mar side, swim til you catch a wave.. LOL, the showers are right there, and its alllllll a down hill bike ride back to campus...
have fun, get good grades - engineering is a good way of life.. tip: watch out for being dedicated to work - it might just interfere with all those dreams of big climbs into the sky..
LOL... almost forgot.. i'm a EE, and retire rock N alpine guide - who spent a big chunk of my glory climbing days dedicated to making the MRI scanner a reality - sure made climb whenever I got a chance a whole lot easier.
cheers...
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F'ueco
Boulder climber
San Jose, CA
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Professional Photo Lab monkey
And Photoshop wizzard...
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Carl
Trad climber
West Bountiful, Utah
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1. 54 years old, married once 31 years ago and still married, three kids and five grandkids.
2. Stockbroker and Real Estate Developer.
3. Climbing Tangerine Trip next week if all goes well.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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PhD Physics
currently a division leader at a national laboratory
weekend warrior
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akclimber
Trad climber
Eagle River, AK
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"Freelance gynecologist and power grid operator."
LOL!
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ground_up
Trad climber
portland, or.
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Diversified Implimentation Specialist Level 3
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akclimber
Trad climber
Eagle River, AK
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I am sorry to say that I don't have to work. Inherited a bit of cash from an uncle and just move around every year or so to climb in different areas. JTree will be my next stop I guess.
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Ouch!
climber
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primarily researchers do the job over when the first search fails. It is the stuff of tenure.
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spidey
Trad climber
Berkeley/El Cerrito
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Chiropractor, BA in Linguistics before that, took a heck of a lot of math and physics classes in college.
don't smoke, don't drink that much.
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Nutcracker Sweet
Social climber
phoenix, az
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internal medicine m.d.
i work 8 days a month as part-time hospital staff. i was doing LOTS of travelling and climbing for the first two years out of residency--nepal, france, ecuador, a roadtrip every month... then i met my non-climbing girlfriend a year-and-a-half ago and haven't been on a real climbing trip since(apart from ice climbing in feb). now i just hang out and spend quality time with the woman. i'm whipped. never smoked, don't drink anymore.
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macgyver
Social climber
Oregon, but now in Europe
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BS Chemical Engineering
Starting MBA next year
Weekend warrior and expert at off the couch grovelling
I try to live a balanced life but I have trouble with the whole "not contributing to society" thing so i have never been tempted to throw in the towel and live on my savings.
Mind you, interpretations of how one contributes to society are varied for sure...
I have always respected those people who strive to make a balance between all their passions be it climbing, family, friends, the environment, their communities etc. People who put in as much or more as they take out are my heros!
Rock
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imnotclever
climber
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BS Mechanical Engineering
BS Civil Engineering
Work (and licensed) as a Structural Engineer.
Weekend warrior as a climber, if I get lucky and get to go play.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Professional Climber (telephone poles)
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spyork
Sport climber
Fremont, CA
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45 year old software engineer. I only work because I am forced to. Every once in a while I get to go climb outside and recharge enough to survive in Yuppieville (Bay Area). Don't do drugs, don't drink alot, pretty boring...
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Ben Rumsen
Social climber
No Name City ( and it sure ain't pretty )
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Sommelier
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azzkikr100
climber
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Graphic designer
I am also training to be an EMT/Fire fighter in Lake Tahoe
Not to boring. I get a lot of days off to climb.
School sux, but it has to be done.
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Russ Walling
Social climber
Bishop is DEAD, long live JT
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groin area model for a life drawing class at the local JC, seamstress, doormat.
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Spinmaster K-Rove
Trad climber
Stuck Under the Kor Roof
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Uber-geeky online web game designer/owner, real estate pimp, hip-hop DJ
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Chatsworth
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I coach a girls high school volleyball team.
Juan
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Nate D
Trad climber
San Francisco
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dreamer, visual communications consultant/manipulator, husband, and father. The latter two pay the best.
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darod
Trad climber
New York
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spin doctor...
don't smoke anymore, tobacco that is...
alcohol in moderation!!
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Wheatus
Social climber
CA
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Employment History:
1977/High School Drop Out: To busy smoking weed, forgot to go to school. Forgot were school was located. Did find test location for GED.
1978 to 1996/Construction Worker/ Construction Supervisor: I feel sorry for anyone who lives or works in any building I constructed. I started back to school in 1992.
1996 to Present/Structural Engineer: Finally got rid of the pot habit and finished a BS in Engineering. I passed both California license exams for Civil and Structural Engineering. Halfway through Masters degree in Structural Engineering.
My work history illustrates that even a pot head low-life can get his act together eventually.
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Don't let go
Trad climber
Yorba Linda, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 7, 2005 - 05:03pm PT
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Wow I appreciate all of your stories and what you do. Thanks for the advice and please keep it coming!
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roy
Social climber
New Zealand -> Santa Barbara
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Professor ... a very flexible job which allows you to arrange pretty good trips for climbing and the mountains.
If you really are close to being a rocket scientist at UC Irvine, say hi to my mate Ken.
Roy
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chainsaw
Trad climber
CA
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community college professor, molecular biologist and formerly owner of a tree service (pro climber). And you seem to be correct, lots of tech heads in our ilk.
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poop_tube
Trad climber
Irvine, CA
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Hey Roy! We know Ken. Tied back hair, eyebrow piercing?
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jacs
climber
Colorado
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PhD Astrophysicist.
Currently a full-time researcher; as of August, full-time community college faculty, and part-time researcher.
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Scrunch
Trad climber
Provo, Ut
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Work with independant adults who have dissabilities.
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smokin_nolens
Social climber
California Valley, California
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Pati is a cartographer/land surveyor who specializes in land use planning in rural areas. Her education is in Geology.
Bob is a land surveyor with a degree in early childhood education (K thru 8th grade). Being a teacher sucked.
We actually enjoy our jobs and who we work for. The living conditions are the best! However, dealing with whining, unrealistic people with no clue but lots of money can lead one into a rut. Therefore alcohol & other remedies are recommended. But then we are Irish. And, we aren't called the 'smokin' Nolens' for nothing!
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taco bill
Trad climber
boulder, co
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aspiring neuroscientist
PhD in progress
please reply if you can offer a postdoc in close proximity to world class climbing
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bryan howell
Mountain climber
truckee,ca
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* full time fireman / paramedic
* assistant ski patrol director
* fire and medical instructor
Climbing on my days off. Not as much as I use too. But being a fireman does have it's peerks!
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climrgrl
climber
SLO, CA
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"Design electronics for satalites
Dennis"
I'm sorry, dengar, but you can't even spell "satellites" which you ostensibly design electronics for!
Engineer, design & build electronics for small unmanned air vehicles. I've embraced my yuppiedom. I like my job and I love climbing too.
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tomtom
climber
Seattle, Wa
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Didn't you read the Airplane thread?
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bulgingpuke
Trad climber
cayucos california
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Street pharmasist
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Ouch!
climber
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Speelling an ejudcashun aire mutualeey exklusive.
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MikeL
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Retired business school professor (in UK, Canada, and three schools in the U.S.--and will teach again at SCU next year). Owned two businesses and have been all over the career map for 15 years.
I'd say the degree(s) will give you options.
As to what life will make you happy, good luck on that one!
I, too, have enjoyed reading this thread. Thanks.
ml
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roy
Social climber
New Zealand -> Santa Barbara
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Hey poop tube,
The Ken I'm thinking of is rocket scientist faculty at UC Irvine. Not a climber. If your description matches then it sounds like there have been some big changes!
Cheers,
Roy
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AKutzer
Trad climber
Austin, TX
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First: a reporter (Journalism degree from University of Texas)
Second: a swimming pool manager
Third: an Asst. manager of a Pearl Izumi outlet in South Lake Tahoe (very mellow, lots of time for climbing and mountain biking)
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Don't let go
Trad climber
Yorba Linda, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 7, 2005 - 09:50pm PT
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roy, the ken that poop tube and i know is a fellow student. I'm not sure if he is aerospace or mechanical engineering. He's a really nice guy. I don't think he climbs. But we could change that...
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poop_tube
Trad climber
Irvine, CA
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YA, Ken does climb but he's a student friend of ours. I guess we don't your friend, Roy. Or we might, what's his last name?
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T Moses
Trad climber
Paso Robles
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Shop Foreman/Production Manager for anodizing rack manufacturing company.
Seven year apprenticeship as a maintenance machinist & mechanic building custom fully automated CNC machinery and traveling CA repairing & rebuilding machinery.
I don't fit your stereotype at all. No drugs or alcohol and I skipped the college thing and went straight for the trade.
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climberweenie
Trad climber
San Jose, CA
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After 2.5 years toward BS in Electrical Engineering, I changed to Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution (summer internship working in cubicles at Jet Propulsion Lab made me think I wanted to be a Forest Ranger). After working in Hawaii for $300 mo, I didn't see $40K college debt disappearing.
So I broke down and got a techie job in silicon valley- Network Engineering. Just randomly fell into it, and it was brilliant. It's fun, requires very little school pre-requisites, and pay is awesome (easy $100+/hr with 2yrs experience if you're really smart & get right certifications). Better than getting a PhD in something that is still tough to get a job. You could even skip college and just get on the path for Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert- when you're contracting, people only care what you can do here and now. Full time employment is different story (lame payscales tied to old formula of yrs exp + degrees, rather than your abilities).
One of my buddies works 3-6 months (still spending like mad all the while), saves up $50K, then lives like a king traveling the world and climbing til its gone. He lives in Camp4 sometimes buying dinner for folks who will be his gophers to buy stuff and make the food. Currently he's in France where he's going to get married.
Here's a MUST READ for folks considering dropping out, or giving up on their education. Basic gist is MAKE DECISIONS THAT EXPAND YOUR FUTURE OPTIONS. Dropping out limits you. Then you'll be living in a van down by the river, which is not so romantic if you want to have a family and support them without foodstamps at some point.
http://www.paulgraham.com/hs.html
If I had read this when I was in high school or even in college, I would have made different choices with my college education (even though I'm ultimately happy how I ended up- through luck as much as my own good choices after college).
Trick is to have enough money to make your time more enjoyable, but not be so money-driven that you never have the time to spend it.
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roy
Social climber
New Zealand -> Santa Barbara
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Poop et al. It's Mease.
Cheers,
Roy
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10b4me
Trad climber
On that V2 problem at the Happies
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BA in Geography(never used). Spent most of my life working as a mechanical designer for a loudspeaker company, a semiconductor
company, and a major theme park company(working in imaging and effects department). Have chucked it all, and now work in the outdoor recreation industry.
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overhung
Trad climber
Ashland, KY
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M. Ed. Teach high school English.
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Mr.T
Big Wall climber
topanga
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high school physics, math, photography teacher. i'm leaving tomorrow for the Valley until september.....climb, drink, smoke, repeat. stay in school!
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nature
climber
Flagstaff, AZ
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Web application developer. I work for myself from home. Business is good. I have a BS degree in NRPI from Humboldt State and am four signatures (on my thesis) away from a Masters in Geology. I'm beyond my term limitations - I'll never get the MS from HSU.
And when I'm not slaving writing Perl code I'm a Bonus Whore! BTW, my bankroll has now hit $8500 working the casinos.
http://www.lafarge.net/photos/misc/foak.jpg
My next trick will be to purchase the motosat (self pointing internet satelite system - Willie Nelson has one!) system. I can hit the road forever, work from my camp and offer highspeed wireless internet to near by campers. I just need the $12K to drop on the system and I'm on it!
and yeah, as far as working just enough - that's me. I've been called a hippie for many years now. It's kinda funny really. Usually though, the word is used in a context something like "stupid fuxing hippie!". After all, I didn't get the nickname "nature" for nothing (a few folks do call me by that).
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guru
Trad climber
Australia
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Contract wine maker.
So yes i drink, but travel the world doing harvest. after working an extended period of 3-4 months with out a day off, i take 3 months off to climb.
Don't smoke anything.
Studied genetics and winemaking in australia. completing bachelor degress in both.
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Zam
Trad climber
San Francisco
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Have a BA in Philosophy, owned and sold my own health and nutrition company at which point I moved to Yos. and climbed and skiied my ass off. Since then I have quit corporate America three times. About the only thing I have stuck with over the years was competative sailing coach for the last decade. I am at the top of the pay scale and have yet to break the $40K mark. I ride my bike to work across the GG bridge and my non-climbing wife doesn't mind belaying or spotting on boulder problems. Wish I had majored in engineering, people look at a Phil degree and laugh, no joke. I have been laughed at in interviews (never got the job either!)
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colorado sprout
Trad climber
Colorado
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aspiring professor. currently a student, about to finish my phd.
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poop_tube
Trad climber
Irvine, CA
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Roy, If I run into him I'll say hi.
Climb on,
Kia
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mike
climber
tahoe city, ca.
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Stupid finsh carpenter. Currently waiting for contractor exam date.
Volunteer Nordic SAR
No drinie no smokie
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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1970 - 90 (in more or less this order with much overlapping):
 Roofing / Tree Crews
Combat Photographer (Time, Life, NYTimes, AP, UPI, Reuters)
Climber
Freelance Photographer (Corporate)
Education / Microbiology / Architecture Degree
Freelance Animator
Climber
Environmental Activist
Horticulture Degree
Climber
Computer Science Degree
Software Engineer (Digital Equipment Corp.)
Windsurfer
Real Estate / Builder
1991 - Present / Technology Consultant (Dual US / EU Citizenship, Asian Visas)
Engagement Services:
IT Strategy
Risk Management / Disaster Recovery
Technology Reviews / Proposal Management
Staffing, Budget, Vendor, and Contract Reviews
Program / Project Management and Remediation
Arbitration Support / Discovery Services / Expert Witness
Technical Architecture
Clients:
Abbott Labs, Agency.com, AOL/Time-Warner, Apple Computer, AT&T Wireless, Baxter Labs, Compaq, Fort James, Georgia-Pacific, HP, Hollywood Video, Intel, Kaiser Permanente, Leo Burnett, McCann-Erickson, Microsoft, NBA, Nike, Oregon Health Sciences University, PacifiCorp, PGE, Providence Health System, Sharp Microelectronics, Siemens Computers, Stockamp, Tektronix, Tetra Pak, U.S. State Department, Qwest, Washington Mutual, Weyerhaeuser, Wieden + Kennedy, Xerox
2006 - Onward:
Always open to good ideas and new clients...
[I never take on a person, endeavor, substance, or idea I'm not totally prepared to be completely and utterly overwhelmed by - at least temporarily. Well, almost never...]
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Michelle
Boulder climber
below the spraydar
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I quit school just shy of my engineering degree. Oddly, this was about when I started climbing. I may go back, but not likely for that. I wait tables and frankly, my life is pretty good. I also decided at that point that I would never live anywhere that I didn't think was beautiful.
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StevieOzark
Trad climber
Little Rock, Arkansas
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U.S.G.S. Cartographer and grass farmer.............
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Shack
Trad climber
So. Cal.
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Hey Joseph...
You forgot (potential) A5 hammer and beak remanufacturer.
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mark miller
Social climber
Reno
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Took 10 years to complete a AS in BS ( or they call it GS).....
Managed a pet store...9yrs
Worked in Audit Reveiw for the state....5yrs
Owned operated a recording Studio...3yrs
Construction, remodeling and custom furniture, self employed for the last 13 years. Now my freinds call me retired because of the hours I'm currently able to keep. Also Honkey Donkey to the women I love for the last ten years (P.S. she has a good career job). Drink like a fish but try to limit it to that now adays because "I'd hate to be found dead in a ditch with my body full of chemicals".. Any advice to the next or second to next generation, get that damn degree your going to need it in the furture
Edge that is some exceptionally nice work on your web site.
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Tommyk
Social climber
fort collins, co
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I was educated as an engineer (solid mechanics, specializing in soil and rock mechanics) and am an unemployed a porn star.
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MikeL
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Yes, Fattrad, the data in this thread would tend to support that hypotheses. However, the respondents here are all self-selected; none of them have been randomly selected, so we can't be sure about this sample's representativeness.
ml
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dank
Trad climber
the pitch above you!
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amateur gynecologist, wanna-be tree-hugger, rock climbing guide to those who want to learn....
6th grade earth science teacher with an actual degree in geology and an MA in science education!
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toyon
Social climber
davis, ca
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sustainable agriculture researcher to pay the bills
non-commercial radio dj, photographer to keep me sane
-st
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WBraun
climber
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Man, this is an impressive list of people.
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John Mac
Trad climber
Littleton, CO
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Left IT job in the late 70's to travel and ended up guiding all over the place for the next 20 years. Eventually went back to school to finish my IT degree and have been back working in IT for the last five years. I work for a county government in Colorado as a system engineer with a good balance of work and play, 4 day work weeks and flexible time off. Time off is more important than money. Cheers John
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pocoloco
Trad climber
Idaho
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MD - Pulmonologist/Intensivist. Worked hard for 14 years in Florida, but the pay was not bad. Had only 1 week a year for climbing in the mountains; would tic off a few moderate classics that would leave me physically exhausted (eg, from sea level to Whitney via the East Buttress and back to the Portal in a day). Got smart, finally. Doing the same thing now, working less, pays less, wife and kids are happier because they see me more, and working out at local crags a few evenings a week. May even wonder into the Valley soon (for a few moderate classics). Life is a balance (a difficult balance). Enjoy it.
PS: Smoke 'em if you got 'em!
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Pat Spydell
climber
Berkeley, CA
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Jun 10, 2005 - 12:19am PT
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Audio Engineer. You know, the guy sitting behind that huge, intimidating console with all the lights and knobs. Yea, I'm that guy. It's pretty cool. I get to meet a ton of celebs and make an obscene amount of money. It's way better than what i was doing before that's for sure......working at the Awh. Hotel in house keeping.
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pc
Trad climber
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Jun 10, 2005 - 12:50pm PT
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Music and Computer Science
Now - Chasing the Wi-Fi rainbow with a socal startup.
Wasn't good enough to cut it in NYC as a jazz musician. Fun trying though.
pc
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climberweenie
Trad climber
San Jose, CA
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Jun 10, 2005 - 01:19pm PT
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I think the correlation between advanced education and climbing as a hobby is not well explained by the hypothesis that people learn it in a college course.
I think a better working hypothesis is this:
In college, people get exposed to a wide variety of social circles and people who enjoy a vast range of activities. In this context, it is much easier to find others who share your latent passion for climbing and can "show you the ropes" so to speak.
If you live in a small town (or even a city) and you don't go to college, you'll see the same people and not have the same opportunities to expand your horizons.
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dengar
Big Wall climber
Ottawa, Canada
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Jun 10, 2005 - 01:45pm PT
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Yes very impressed but not surprised
most climbers that I've met thorough my ~ 15 year of climbing mostly are very educated and work in some form of science, technical or teaching related careers.
maybe this is just a geographical thing such as the case with where I do most of my climbing and work. places like California, Boston , NY and Ottawa all being High Tech centers
what I find interesting specially for me is that my home town Ottawa is a government and Hight Tech center for Canada, most of the climbers around here are in some form of IT or science based careers like the responds in this forum but I find very interesting is that I have never met a climber that has or aspires to a political related job (science of government) which in this town are many.
is climbing just to real for a politician to deal with :)
nothing against political science career just my limited observations
Dennis
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DOR
Trad climber
NV.
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Jun 10, 2005 - 02:16pm PT
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Chef, Food and Beverage, Gen. Manager(restaurant), restauranteur, retired four years ago. There's good money in pizza. My work would average 80+ hrs. a week, or 14 to 18 hrs. a day. It's hard for me to believe, looking back now, how I pulled it off. I would work weeks without a day off, and years would slip by without a vacation. I have no regrets though, as it was always my plan to retire from the industry by the time I reached
40 or so.
I stay very busy with my 4 children; ages 4yrs thru 22yrs ( all my kids climb) and spend time in my studio at home, painting and
sketching. My wife of 15 yrs. is the CEO of a small corporation
which makes it all possible.
I could not begin to remember all my employees with degrees
and many years of higher learning that waited tables or bartended
for me.
I love good wine and spirits, once in a while I puff before I pass.
Cheers!
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asioux
Trad climber
pasadena,ca
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Jun 10, 2005 - 03:01pm PT
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Myself I work at the L.A.Zoo working with the construction divison doing concrete and masonary work full time. Six in the morning to 2:30. That allows me to at least go boulder at Stoney Point in Chatsworth. And or go on a hike up in the San Gabriel mountains. I have been climbing for eight years. I am passionate about climbing it's my life. I also have a son that is seventeen that lives with me full time on the weekends he goes to his mothers house. I also have a four year old daughter that lives with her mom. I see her as much as possible. She wants to climb. I also go to rock n roll concerts. I am also an artist. I recently had my first art show. But I constantly think and talk about climbing. It's what makes me happy. The places I climb the most are Joshua Tree. I love to climb cracks. I enjoy climbing slabs. Hell I just enjoy climbing. I am a solid 5.10 trad leader. i did lead a 5.10c at Josh called "Clean and Jerk" and that has to be the hardest climb I have ever led on trad.
Climbing is the key to my soul.
Armando
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hunter
Trad climber
NYC
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Jun 10, 2005 - 03:18pm PT
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PhD Neuropsychopharmacology (I experiment with drugs professionally), Presently a Post-doc in NYC.
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Claude
climber
where I'll end up
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Jun 10, 2005 - 03:25pm PT
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Work with children and their families at a church.
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Wayne Riely
Big Wall climber
Bend, Oregon
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Jun 10, 2005 - 03:25pm PT
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Brewer; that sums it up.
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Rhodo-Router
Trad climber
Otto, NC
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Jun 10, 2005 - 03:27pm PT
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BA, American Studies, Wesleyan U. This kind of degree is what happens when you're not into being in school but finish up cuz it's what folks expect. The principal value of this kind of study is that it teaches you healthy skepticism; i.e. how to ask the right questions.
I sell Christmas trees, which I guess makes me an entrepreneur of sorts, and I teach Outward Bound courses. The latter is vastly more rewarding, but the former makes it all possible. This leaves me with lots of free time, which I generally do not fill with smoking and drinking but rather with running around outside and exploring.
The tree gig has sustained me for many years of happy dirtbaging, but it bores me now, and I'm no longer a dirtbag. Trapped by the money, or my own lack of initiative/imagination. I think perhaps everyone who loves freedom and exploration should have a 6-week job that pays the bills for a year, but beware of the costs of that freedom!
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Nate D
Trad climber
San Francisco
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Jun 10, 2005 - 03:32pm PT
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When my wife worked full-time as an ER nurse, she met many doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel who climbed. She found it interesting that individuals with careers primarily concerned with the "safety" and health of others would participate in a "high-risk" sport. Maybe they all know too well that life is too short.
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arg
Trad climber
buenosaires
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Jun 10, 2005 - 03:44pm PT
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Bartender.
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Rhodo-Router
Trad climber
Otto, NC
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Jun 10, 2005 - 04:52pm PT
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Oh, and Congressman Mark Udall is a climber. Don't know of any others.
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dmitry
Trad climber
Chita, Russia
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Jun 10, 2005 - 05:14pm PT
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Please stop attaching you whole damn CV's folks: nobody cares THAT much.
MA in linguistics from Russia/China
MBA from the US.
Used to teach college; now back in the private industry dealing with Rx Drugs stuff this time.
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dirtbag
climber
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Jun 10, 2005 - 05:19pm PT
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I mop floors at the "Fresno Men's Circle Jerk" clubhouse.
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Nor Cal
Trad climber
San Mateo
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Jun 10, 2005 - 05:39pm PT
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Laser delivery device technician. I repair various laser delivery device that are used for dermatology and opthalmology.
Still going to school and working towards BS.
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Joe Metz
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Jun 10, 2005 - 06:29pm PT
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Originally went to school to study geophysics. Ended up being a more-or-less perpetual student and working for 30 years in computer hardware and software engineering. I finally graduated from college a few years ago, with a BS in applied and computational math, minor in physics.
I think many people who climb were interested in climbing before they entered college. So maybe it's the other way around: people who are inclined to climb also tend to be interested enough in the hard sciences to tough it out through college.
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Ammon
Big Wall climber
Lake Arrowhead
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Jun 10, 2005 - 09:34pm PT
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I climb around in the steel, hang in my harness a lot, pull heavy stuff up (sound panels) and attach it to I-beams. They call it theatrical/industrial rigging but that's just a word to glamorize the whole mess.
It's kind of like everything you hate about wall climbing, mixed into a huge pot of suffer-fest.
Here I am at a small job in North Carolina:
It's not as fun as it looks, believe me.
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WBraun
climber
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Jun 10, 2005 - 10:08pm PT
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So Ammon
I see a figure eight hanging from your harness. You must be old school? And climbing I beams with very sharp right angle edges, please be careful with your tendons in your hands and fingers.
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Matt Greenwood
climber
Portland, OR
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Jun 18, 2005 - 04:27pm PT
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It seems like a lot climbers have good paying jobs. I wish this was true for me.
I got out of the Navy in 1990 and after months of unemployment I became a welder, then in 1993 worked as a turbine millwright. Which is contract work doing maintenance on gas and steam turbines for power generation and in 1997 I became tired of 84 hour work weeks and I started college. This is where I discover that I was a boring person. Therefore, I took a beginning rock climbing class at the college and I found it interesting. Then during a Sturgis motorcycle rally (2001) I went to Devil’s Tower and I decided to take more rock climbing classes and return. A year later I climbed Devil’s Tower.
This year I got my BS in Business, Supply and Logistics Management and I am in the Oregon Army National Guard.
I am currently unemployed do to a repelling accident. I repelled upside-down from a 100ft high roof, dropping as fast as I could. My break hand hit a hand rail, which knocked the rope out of my hand and I slammed into the sidewalk.
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addiroid
Big Wall climber
Long Beach, CA
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Jun 18, 2005 - 06:07pm PT
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BS in Exercise Science.
8 months of medical school.
2 years of Personal Training / Construction / Tons of climbing / Finding the meaning of life (hint: It's not in a bottle).
Now I am getting my Master's in Physical Therapy with a Doctorate to follow. I really want to get a BS in Business but not sure if I will or not.
I surf more than I climb now, but still get on big stuff when I have long breaks. Managed the NA a month ago, and planning on some stuff in the Sierras in August. Congrats to everyone who has made it in their careers and still kept their fitness up enough to climb hard!!!
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guavajelly57
Trad climber
berkeley
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Jun 18, 2005 - 06:38pm PT
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BA in religion
MA in Mideival History
former proffesional alpine ski racing coach,
now I've just started my own handyman/ carpentry bussiness and studying to get my contractors license.
finishing an article to publish and planning on my PhD in few years.
"love and do what you will"
-St. Augustine
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salad
climber
San Diego
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Jun 23, 2005 - 02:20pm PT
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PeopleSoft Technical Consultant
BS Information Systems, Chico State
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Texplorer
Trad climber
Portland, OR
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Jun 23, 2005 - 02:35pm PT
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I always heard if you have a job your a recreational climber,
if you have a part-time job your a part-time climber, and if you don't work your finally a full time climber.
For the record I have been a personal trainer, substitute teacher, and now am trying to be a pharmacist.
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Mig
Trad climber
Coimbra, Portugal
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Jun 24, 2005 - 09:03am PT
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Forestry Engineer!
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mso4 Man
Trad climber
Western MA
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Jun 24, 2005 - 11:16am PT
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Surgeon
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Jun 24, 2005 - 02:31pm PT
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Congrats on the promotion, AndyG!
My educational and occupational pigeon hole would be PhD Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BS Microbiology, BA Chemistry and French. I like school. I've been researching Mad Cow Disease to earn my keep of late.
Climbing was a major factor in my loosing interest in partying. A glass of wine with dinner is fine. However, I'm an incredibly low functioning substance abuser, and I'd rather climb than waste a day feeling gnarly...which is what ends up happening anytime I forget that party treats don't usually give me the desired effect.
Although one might mistake me for a hippy on a bad day, I would probably be better described as a Type A slob.
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sleepydawg
Trad climber
Layton, Utah
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Jun 26, 2005 - 10:24pm PT
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Wait,
There has to be another Anesthesiologist that is a climber- hello?
Am I the only one that turned from an 18 year old yos. bum to a gas passer?
hello? (echo heard)
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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Jun 26, 2005 - 11:07pm PT
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Writer, usually stuck writing and producing dreck for TV, but short form fiction is my favorite. It's been some years since I wrote my last book of short stories, and I'm feeling like it's time to do another one. I've got a few good yarns saved up.
JL
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AlexC
climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Jun 27, 2005 - 12:27am PT
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BS/MS/PhD Mechanical Engineering
My focus is design and manufacturing process development. I used to do jet engine components. I'm currently working on low cost, ultra high precision manufacturing.
A thought on the hippie climber thing...
A lot of people talk about the hippie or dirt bag type climber and claim to aspire to the lifestyle. When I was growing up in Europe, the image I had of climbing was always more of a "gentleman's expedition" type of thing. Something like Sir Edmund Hillary climbing Everest, rather than a bunch of rag tag people living out of an old VW van and dumpster diving for dinner.
What happened to the respectable gentleman climbers? :)
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Rhodo-Router
Trad climber
Otto, NC
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Jun 27, 2005 - 09:00am PT
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Hillary was a groveller until he summited Everest and the Queen made him a Sir. The guy was from New Zealand-- not exactly a bastion of feudalism.
Thankfully, tools for climbing (specifically nylon ropes) got much, much cheaper after WWII and the entry fee was no longer prohibitive for most folks.
Once lots of people were able to climb, standards rose pretty quickly and the pond, as it were, grew a lot more fish. It soon became apparent that to climb at the increasingly difficult standards of the day, one needed to devote more than just the occasional few days to the pursuit.
Hence Eric Beck:
"At either end of the social spectrum there lies a leisure class..."
I miss the era of the gentleman climber the way I miss the era of the plantation.
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TradIsGood
Trad climber
Gunks end of country
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Nov 16, 2005 - 05:35pm PT
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bump.
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kevsteele
climber
Santa Barbara, CA
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Nov 16, 2005 - 06:53pm PT
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Answer to the question: Live. Really live.
General answer:
photographer,
part time climbing guide,
business consultant,
and
Dad
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rradakovits
Sport climber
san diego
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Nov 16, 2005 - 07:02pm PT
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Hopefully finishing up a phd in cellbiology/genetics.
My current theory on why there are so many people who start climbing while working on an advanced degree is that our work is so tedious and frustrating that we need some form of outlet for our agressions/frustrations.
Some options are:
1. Get f**ked up on drugs and alcohol.
2. Beat people up outside of bars, works especially well in combination with option 1.
3. Climb something that looks like it might kill you unless you know what you are doing.
The first option doesn't work very well due to the fact that it is hard to stay sharp under/after the influence. Not to say that there aren't some people who favor this option, drugs and alcohol seems to be a fairly common way to unwind among scientists as well.
The second option is not so great unless you used to be a wrestler or a football player, which most weakling aspiring scientists were not (myself included).
The third option is a perfect way for someone with a knack for problem solving to work out frustrations. And this is one sport where it does not hurt to start out with a less than herculean physique.
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John Vawter
Social climber
San Diego
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Nov 16, 2005 - 08:36pm PT
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Criminal and immigration defense atty.
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Northern Mexico
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Nov 16, 2005 - 09:43pm PT
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I still think I have you all beat!
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wildone
climber
right near the beach, boyeee (lord have mercy)
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Nov 16, 2005 - 10:02pm PT
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I operate a forklift in a warehouse. I can't believe the amount of money they pay me for it. Very stoked
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reddirt
climber
DC
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Apr 24, 2006 - 02:42pm PT
|
bump
BA History BS Celllar Bio
grad school dropout (physiology/pharmacology)
biotech burnout
currently: retail, prodeal scammer, studying for mcats (climbing counts as studying for the physics part)
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cjain
Mountain climber
Lake Forest, CA
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Apr 24, 2006 - 03:13pm PT
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securities lawyer
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JEM
Social climber
|
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Apr 24, 2006 - 03:29pm PT
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Engineering Tech (electro/mechanical) retired
I currently just play a lot of beach volleyball and a little climbing...I'm old.
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Elcapinyoazz
Mountain climber
Anchorage, Alaska
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Apr 24, 2006 - 03:46pm PT
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BS Civil Eng
MS Civil/Environmental Eng
After 8 years in it, am winding down my last year in that field. White collar corporate work is soul sucking, 60+hr weeks, stuck inside and does not allow for intellectual stimulation (at least not what I do, it's managing inane paperwork clustef*#ks for the most part).
What's next? Who knows.
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PDHMAN
Trad climber
Eastside N of Bishop just S of 395
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Apr 24, 2006 - 03:50pm PT
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Retired seven years ago after 24 years in the US Navy where I climbed, flew as Helo SAR Crew Chief (Antarctica and some at Lemoore), climbed, ran Flt Decks, climbed, taught climbing to SpecWar dudes and did some climbing all over the globe at the taxpayers expense. Now, I climb ice, ride ultra-distance bike events, ski, climb rock, hike with my wonderful wife and Jack Russell and do some obscure trad/alpine climbing, all here on the Upper East Side. All on my Navy retirement retainer. Again, at the expense of the US Tax payer's. Thank you America
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onepitch
Social climber
berkeley CA
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Apr 24, 2006 - 03:53pm PT
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PhD student biophysics
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pyro
Trad climber
stoney point,ca
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Apr 24, 2006 - 03:58pm PT
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what's crack'n.
wow! much to say about the many talents for this climbing forum. I'm proud to bring all of you up in any conversation.
I'm not a grad but I wished I could be. good subject though. I have to rework my education plan.
currently take time for work as a technition in a(GaAs) fab. my boss is a fab queen. we like cell phones. my boss liked my resume. I understand CMOS.
it pays some bills
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dirtineye
Trad climber
the south
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Apr 24, 2006 - 04:37pm PT
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Current understudy for Old Faithful, human guinea pig, ex-pro procastinator.
Future plans, stay alive a while, play some music.
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G7
Trad climber
Originally Ireland currently living in California
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Apr 24, 2006 - 11:35pm PT
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General contractor in SF Ca, Not an easy gig
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Robb
Social climber
Flathead Valley, Montana
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Apr 24, 2006 - 11:38pm PT
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REALTOR*,
After teaching mathematics and economics, it's like semi-retirement!
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Inner City
Trad climber
East Bay
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Apr 24, 2006 - 11:57pm PT
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"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desparation"....I am no exception.
Mutual fund sales-
BA -liberal studies
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Brian
climber
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Apr 25, 2006 - 12:13am PT
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Philosophy Professor (I’m procrastinating grading student papers right now!)
High school, 2 years undergrad, dropout to travel, 3 more years undergrad (BA Political Science), 5 years of travel and climbing abroad, 2 years grad school with tons of climbing (MA Philosophy), 1 year climbing, 2.5 years grad school (Ph.D. Philosophy)…
I've worked a ton of other jobs on the way to where I am: retail, construction, security, climbing guide, etc.
The academic life is pretty sweet: 4+ months a year you can be anywhere you want; pays decent; really flexible schedule (even when I am on campus my “work” consists of reading and writing about things I am interested in, and talking to students in the coffee shop…). However, I have to say that my friends who are nurses also have a good thing going.
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
|
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Apr 25, 2006 - 12:37am PT
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slave to the Empire.
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hashbro
Trad climber
Not in Southern California
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Apr 25, 2006 - 12:51am PT
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I'm an environmental entrepeneur, conservation program designer, fundraiser, political activist, lobbyist, pagan and hippie.
I've got a BA in "Community Studies" and I still smoke the green stuff.
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Apr 25, 2006 - 01:03am PT
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General Contractor in Berkeley
zanderbuilt.com
-mostly finished website with some snapshots
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Don't let go
Trad climber
Yorba Linda, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 25, 2006 - 03:04am PT
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I will have my BS in Mechanical engineering with specialization in aerospace in 2 months. People ask me what I want to do. I sometimes tell them that I want to become a hippie and live in the Valley. As you can imagine, my mother is thrilled. But she says "at least you'll have your degree to fall back on." So if the hippie thing does not work out, I can always go corprate.
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bringmedeath
climber
la la land
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Apr 25, 2006 - 03:17am PT
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Framer
Climb, drink, smoke... all the time! Well at least the last 2.
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thedogfather
Trad climber
Midwest
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Apr 25, 2006 - 09:02am PT
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Retired Government IS. Now contract software developer writing sports team management software (last 8 years). Self-taught programmer and web developer. Worldwide market with my cut based on gross sales so I get paid whether I am acitively working on something or not! My office is my recliner in front of the TV. Not bad work, if you can get it.
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Realist
Big Wall climber
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Apr 25, 2006 - 09:13am PT
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Was a Soldier for 18 Years but now I am a Security Contractor providing Executive Protection and Personal Security around the world
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Kupandamingi
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Apr 25, 2006 - 09:23am PT
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Consultant to the UN World Food Programme and Food and Ag Organization on conflict, food security, program evaluation and emergency response assessments. Pluses - big money (consulting fees, danger pay, big UN per diems) in a short amount of time working in some of the most interesting places in the world (though I primarily focus on east and central Africa)...Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Haiti, Yemen, Uganda, Malawi, Kenya, etc...., but also conferences in Rome and elsehwere in the 'developed' world. I did live in Kenya for years doing this, but found living in Cali up'ed my status to a high-brow 'fly-in' consultant/
When your working its 7 days a week, sometimes under trying conditions. When your not working your time is your own. I make a very good living at it workiing 5 - 6 months a year...unfortunately I mucked up the 'perfect' gig by deciding to simultaneously pursue a PhD! But as an earlier poster said - its about opening possibilities for the future.
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Roger Breedlove
Trad climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
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Apr 25, 2006 - 09:24am PT
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I never responded to this query last year because I could't come up with a definition of "climber" that seemed to fit my current status.
So, with a redefined "What do ST campers do for a living:" I work for a company that designs and manufacturers power train components, mostly camphasers for gasoline engines and valves for transmissions, mostly in the US and in Europe. We do have some stuff going in Japan, China and Korea.
I work on a diesel emission control technology--market and technology development--to reduce NOx with a urea SCR exhaust aftertreament dosing system.
Oh and I have a BA in Music and an MBA.
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sling512
Trad climber
Chicago
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Apr 25, 2006 - 09:38am PT
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BS Environmental Studies
Used to own Recycling Consulting firm now a Banking Account Manager
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Paul
Trad climber
Muir Beach, CA
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Apr 25, 2006 - 09:48am PT
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CEO, Synapse Electric
- solar (photovoltaic) design/install
- electrical contracting (special geekie designs)
B.S.- Electrical Engineering
MBA - Operations & Marketing
Plus: surfer, beer maker, and long distance runner. And climber too.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Apr 25, 2006 - 12:38pm PT
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I run a companion animal care service. Sessions have run the gamut, from picking up poop, to grief counseling, to escorting a dog to his people's wedding and the reception.
That was a funny one, because it was a Pit Bull, a breed that I swear has ADD as a characteristic. The bride said I should take Otto off-leash and I was like "uhhhh.....I don't think that's a good idea...." She flicks the clip - and that dog IMMEDIATELY makes a mad dash for the restaurant kitchen, jumps up onto the counter and comes within nanoseconds of taking a nosedive into the wedding cake.....
I have also made antique butons into hair accessories and sold them, and made stained glass decorative arts as an entrepreneur.
Last work I did with someone else footing the bill was a handbag designer for 13 years. I pass by store windows these days and see designs that are based on things we worked on in the 80's and I am sooooo glad i don't have to do that anymore.
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James
Social climber
My Subconcious
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Apr 25, 2006 - 12:44pm PT
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Student- The scholastic life has an ideal schedule for climbing but at times learning can be taxing. I'm taking an accounting class and I just found out that a 401k isn't a bra size. College is tough.
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outflip
Big Wall climber
San Diego
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Apr 25, 2006 - 01:19pm PT
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BS in Chemistry from US Naval Academy
Ensign in the Navy serving on a ship out of San Diego.
Been climbing on and off for the last 16 years, climbing hard the last 7.
Through college complained about not having enough time to climb, while getting at least 3 good trips up high a year. Just got back from a 7 month deployment, and will be out for abother 3 starting next month. Amazing how much time I had in college...
Took the MCAT this weekend and look forward to (hopefully) having more time in the first two years of Med School...
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matisse
Trad climber
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Apr 25, 2006 - 02:22pm PT
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Professor in a med school. 3/4 of the way up the food chain.
High altitude, hypoxia and exercise research. mostly lung + exercise related (ie HAPE) but also some performance stuff, some cardiovascular stuff, some related to AMS.
Outflip are you applying to UCSD?
T2, I have a good friend in Del Mar (a climber and well known altitude researcher) looking for a contractor for an addition...
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Zetedog
Trad climber
PGH, PA
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Apr 25, 2006 - 02:59pm PT
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Bond Trader/ Portfolio Manager
Good pay only when I earn it / 6 weeks vacation. Hours not so good.
BA Mathematics / Minor English (UTexas)
BA/MS Catholic Theology & World Theology (Catholic University)
MBA Quantitative Analysis & Finance (in about 2 weeks) (CMU)
And about 3/4's of a phd in Economics, which I think I have quit on (CMU).
I think I also want to make furniture when I grow up.
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Grug
Trad climber
Golden, Colorado
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Apr 25, 2006 - 04:39pm PT
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MS in Geology. I now work as a database developer.
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Apr 25, 2006 - 05:56pm PT
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College prof, study society and environment in the Arctic. Cool work.
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Melvin Mills
Trad climber
Albuquerque NM
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Apr 25, 2006 - 08:57pm PT
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Archaeologist for 10 years. I still can't figure out why more climbers don't go into archaeology. Low job expectations to begin with and then you can just go sporadically from job to job. This holds true until you actually show your mettle, then its the office for the rest of your life.
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Apr 25, 2006 - 10:02pm PT
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I'm contemplating some archaeology meetings this fall. Never been to one, but field scientists in all fields have fun.
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MUR
climber
A little to the left of right
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Apr 25, 2006 - 10:11pm PT
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Former warehouse manager, now living the good life as a student. Environmental Geology with about 2 years to go. Then I will probably try to find a job brewing someplace cool.
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Euroford
Trad climber
Chicago, IL
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Apr 26, 2006 - 09:25am PT
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Consultant specializing in exterior wall design. i work in the chicago office of the worlds largest firm specializing in high end exterior wall systems, with an emphasis on glass and aluminum curtainwalls but i'm an authority on almost all systems used in high end commercial buildings.
what i actually do on a day to day basis includes allot of diffrent things, but i'm part of our 'field' department. which in a nutshell means i'm constantly schemeing ways to be out of the office getting my hands dirty. testing, troubleshooting, inspections, QC on jobsites. it kinda changes on a day to day basis.
troubleshooting a condo in downtown chicago:
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FinnMaCoul
Trad climber
Barre, Vermont
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Apr 27, 2006 - 10:16am PT
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B.A. in English, because reading and writing fiction was the only thing I could possibly stay in school for to earn that degree. I've never made much money but life has always been good nevertheless.
Started climbing as a kid and climbed hard through high school and college. Worked as a licensed Maine Guide through college and after, mostly guiding backcountry whitewater canoe expeditions and only climbing on my off days.
Got married and moved to Colorado and taught climbing, kayaking and backcountry sports to teenagers for more than a decade. Plenty of opportunity then to climb all across the western US and climbed regularly up and down the front range.
Now with a child of my own I've relocated closer to family in New England and manage the parks and recreation department for a municipality in Vermont. The money isn't great but it's a straight up 9-5 gig that gets me outside and home evenings and weekends.
Climbing has tailed off now that I have a little boy to spend all my free time with, mostly just doing occasional day trips. But he's almost old enough to start roping up with old dad....
Next chapter, please...
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illusiondweller
Boulder climber
San Diego, CA
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Apr 27, 2006 - 10:18am PT
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Paramedic in the civlian world, Navy Corpsman in the reserves. Tried the wacky weed thang while climbing back in the 80's...narrowed my field of vision, wasn't for me! Got back from Iraq last year after seven month's next to the Euphrates River. Going back to school seeking my BA in Nursing...it's never too late!
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 27, 2006 - 10:59am PT
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"At the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe" B Springsteen.
currently sell business jet window repair.
prior alias:
10 year pro rock guide
10 year portaledge and related materials sewing contractor
stagehand, rigger, lighting, sound tech for theater, ballet
fine wine sales
rock shoe rep
(nice thread)
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno, CA
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Apr 27, 2006 - 06:04pm PT
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IT Manager for a bank. Moving towards pro photo career, which is just a disguise to be a professional (climbing) bum.
Cheers!
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LOWERme
Trad climber
Santa Fe N.M.
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Apr 27, 2006 - 06:06pm PT
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Inventor/patent holder, and current commodities addict.
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Anastasia
Trad climber
Near a mountain, CA
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Apr 28, 2006 - 05:08am PT
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* Archeologist- BA Michigan
* High School Social Science Teacher- BA MA History, Single Subject Credential,
CSUN
* Writer-Self Taught, first published at fourteen, SciFi, Del books.
* (Still Clueless but Happy Climbing Bum./Girl of summer jobs that evolve around
climbing.)-Self Imposed
* Researcher of Insanity through Life Experience.- "Inflicted at Birth."
(For public safety I am not a drinker or smoker; participated and learned "not advisable.")
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d-know
Trad climber
electric lady land
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Apr 28, 2006 - 06:58am PT
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seems the blue collar brethren and sistren are vastly under represented here.
I am a fabricator and installer of airiel ropeway transportation systems.
been a welder/fitter/iron worker for the last 13 years.
smokes like a chimney,drinks like a fish.
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Grug
Trad climber
Golden, Colorado
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Apr 28, 2006 - 07:28am PT
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I just read AlexC's post about the gentleman climber. Man, that's exactly what I would have wanted to be! Actually, a gentleman geologist/climber. You, know pursue intellectual and climbing projects at your leisure...smoke a pipe - that sort of thing.
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Rudy Rudotis DLFA
Big Wall climber
Barrington Hills, IL
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Apr 28, 2006 - 08:23am PT
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VP of Information Systems - Like many, I partied too hard, went to Junior College part time for 7 years studying Math and Computer Science. Hitchhiked the country back in the '70's and '80's bagging many routes at Devils Lake, Devils Tower, Yosemite, Beartooths, etc. Smoked when I could and found God after one to many LSD trips. Finally found the love of my life, built a 5000 sqft house after 6 years of construction, and had 2 great kids who are both teenagers. My coworkers call me "GI Joe" as I can parachute into any business problem and solve it with a fearless attitude. Most don't know that all the confidence I have came from surviving many hairy big wall climbs where bivouacing in a tee shirt seemed par for the course. Get your education, as you will need it. Have no fear, as anyone who can free climb a 5.10 on Devils tower at 16 can certainly kick the sh#t out of any business problem! I am still a hippy at heart, but know live life as a closet climber. The skills you learn dealing with life and death climbing scenario's will carry you a lifetime and teaches you that failure is never an option.
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JAK
Sport climber
Central NC
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Apr 28, 2006 - 11:25am PT
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BS in Exercise Science, Full time graduate student working on my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. After that I would :assume: that I'll be in Physical Therapy, but the way the world is these days...
Career Bonus: Able to rehabilitate self after deckings!
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LongAgo
Trad climber
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Once, weekend & summer climber while getting systems engineering degrees. Then, save the world VISTA volunteer for 4 years, little climbing. Then, weekend and summer climber while getting masters of public policy. Finally (I think), co-owner of transportation consulting company and less climbing.
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pc
climber
East of Seattle
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Roger,
What instrument do you play? Classical or jazz? or crazy composer?
pc
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Roger Breedlove
Trad climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
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Hey pc, simple question. I give you a complicated answer, anyway.
I played Classical guitar, with a strong interest in 20th Century pieces. Hell to pay keeping fingers and nails in guitar shape while climbing. And I had to play a beater guitar in Camp 4. I kept my concert guitar at my parent’s home—it would have blown apart with the very dry air.
I entered the music school with the intent of getting a liberal arts education and then get an MBA trade degree. I never intended to be a musician. When I entered the music conservatory, I auditioned and was admitted as a performance major. Whoa, was I out of my league and a fish out of water—practice 8 hours day!!!!. I had to crawl back into the Dean's office and petition to change to the more general 'theory and analysis.' I think I ended up graduating with as many credits in math as in music.
Nowadays, I only listen carefully (we have a great orchestra in Cleveland). I still have my old concert guitar--it still sounds great, except when I pick it up in which case, no matter what I am hearing, it emits stuck pig sounds.
My current music 'project' is Mahler's symphonies. A topic that I am sure is of prime interest to most of the ST campers (even my friends move off for another refill at the bar).
What is your music?
TL, C Roger
PS: My favorite band in the 60s was ‘Cream’—good rock climbing music.
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pc
climber
East of Seattle
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Thanks Roger. Very cool. And similar path to mine.
I too auditioned and got into music school as a performance (sax) major and although I went through with it, realized in my second year I'd never make a living at it so hunkered down in a double major with computer science. Nice thing was that at the time, early 80s, electronic music (midi) was just beginning so I got to blur the lines between my music and computer studies.
Still play but mostly piano and mostly for my two daughters.
Cheers,
Peter
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Sparky
Trad climber
vagabon movin on
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Jr. High Band Director out in Canyon Country, CA. They also pay me to run a rock climbing club using a 33ft textured external wall made by NICROS. Pretty sweet gig.
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pc
climber
East of Seattle
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Sparky, That's a noble profession. If it hadn't been for my Jr High band teacher I'd never have chosen music. Was still in touch with him up until he died a few years ago. He was one of 3 or 4 big impact teachers I had during my grade school years.
pc
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john hansen
climber
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Nov 21, 2006 - 11:28pm PT
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Thought this was a cool thread to bring back,, good reading.
Im partners in a construction firm on the Big Island of Hawaii.
It's been a very good last decade.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Nov 21, 2006 - 11:45pm PT
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good timing john,
i was also thinking this thread was ripe for a pluck.
roy.
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skully1
Trad climber
banning, CA
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Nov 21, 2006 - 11:55pm PT
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Chiropractor
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Jello
Social climber
No Ut
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Nov 21, 2006 - 11:58pm PT
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I've just skimmed through this thread, and I'm amazed at what an incredible pool of talent and skill is here. I plan to dip into this well frequently.
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iceokie
Ice climber
Memphis, TN
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Nov 22, 2006 - 12:02am PT
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In order:
rodeo cowboy/horse trainer
school teacher (art)
creative director (wetlands conservation group)
I guess we do grow up eventually, but I wish I'd listened to my mother earlier.
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Lurking Fear
Trad climber
Bishop, California
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Nov 22, 2006 - 12:06am PT
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My wife Diane, and I work in the emergency department as registered nurses. There are four other RNs who work in the ED that climb. That's kind of cool.
Andrew
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goatboy smellz
climber
boulder county
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Nov 22, 2006 - 12:09am PT
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Summertime, Recording Engineer - Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Wintertime, Ski Bum!
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Hangerlessbolt
Trad climber
Portland, OR
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Nov 22, 2006 - 01:08am PT
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Career: Distribution and logistics management
Education: Business Management
Current Occupation: Business Owner
Working my ass off so that I can build on my property down in J-Tree in seven years with a strong inclination to living a simple life.
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Scoopy
Big Wall climber
Both feet on the ground
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Nov 22, 2006 - 01:37am PT
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BA in Comparative Lit which I never used b/c I moved to the valley after I graduated.
Small business owner (first)
Bookkeeper for my husbands business (second)
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Phil_B
Social climber
Hercules, CA
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Nov 22, 2006 - 01:45am PT
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MS in Geophysics, I now do data visualization and database work for an environmental engineering company. I've been here almost 16 years. It's really the only real job I've ever had. I like the people I work with and I can leave it behind every day.
Enjoying watching my 13 yo son learn to climb and kayak these days.
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tiki-jer
climber
fresno/clovis
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Nov 22, 2006 - 02:17am PT
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Graphic Designer turned Signpainter turned Scenic Artist.
Currently providing decorative painting and specialty finishes for Commercial and Residential applications.
Husband and Father of two great boys.(Mom & the boys climb too.)
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Sheets
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Nov 22, 2006 - 02:33am PT
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Imminent Phd in physics.
Hopefully a postdoc at some national lab or the other afterwards. If that doesn't workout then climbing bum.
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fareastclimber
Big Wall climber
Hong Kong & Wales
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Nov 22, 2006 - 08:10pm PT
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Umm, university student (anyway, that ain't a living!) studying Marine Geography. However to keep myself alive I run a small outdoor equipment wholesale/redistributor business and teach English. Living in the future? business and coastal work in Asia. F*#k it! I'm going to be an 'adventurer' *packs the sail boat with gear and heads to Papua New Guinea*
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville
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Nov 22, 2006 - 08:14pm PT
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Special effects tech.
Owner of a preschool gymnastics company.
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Duke-
Trad climber
SF, CA.
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Nov 22, 2006 - 10:43pm PT
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I take care of a Silverback gorilla named Ndume. It is very interesting work, but hard on the ol' lower back (read lots of cleaning!). -And yes, before you ask, I do study him climbing on the structures everyday. He is a "stemmer rather than a mantler".
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Duke-
Trad climber
SF, CA.
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Nov 22, 2006 - 10:44pm PT
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I take care of a Silverback gorilla named Ndume. It is very interesting work, but hard on the ol' lower back (read lots of cleaning!). -And yes, before you ask, I do study him climbing on the structures everyday. He is a "stemmer rather than a mantler".
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N0_ONE
Social climber
Utah
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Nov 22, 2006 - 10:47pm PT
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High scool diplomed Sh!t Pumper Guy!!!
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Duke-
Trad climber
SF, CA.
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Nov 22, 2006 - 10:48pm PT
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I take care of a Silverback gorilla named Ndume. It is very interesting work, but hard on the ol' lower back (read lots of cleaning!). -And yes, before you ask, I do study him climbing on the structures everyday. He is a "stemmer rather than a mantler".
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Irisharehere
Trad climber
Gunks
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Nov 22, 2006 - 11:02pm PT
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Well, I'm really happy to update that I'm not longer finishing a Ph.D in Infectious Diseases..........
Bwahahahaahaha........it's Dr. Irish now, thank you very much........
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Hangerlessbolt
Trad climber
Portland, OR
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Nov 22, 2006 - 11:07pm PT
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Congratulations!
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Rich the Brit
Trad climber
San Ramon, CA
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Nov 22, 2006 - 11:07pm PT
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BA and MBA
Supply chain and logistics stuff for the tech industry in silicon valley
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Crimpergirl
Social climber
St. Louis
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Nov 23, 2006 - 10:05am PT
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Congratulations Irish!
I didn't answer the question completely last year, so thought I'd do so now.
Professor in Criminology Dept. Research position.
Ph.D. Political Science
M.A. Political Science
M.A. Sociology
B.S. Psychology
Worked my way through college as a civil draftsman. Fun fun!
I have earned the right to wear white socks with black shoes, clothing that fails to match, and uncombed hair. I love that freedom.
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ewto
Mountain climber
slOwHIO
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Nov 23, 2006 - 10:10am PT
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Cop.
(With a side specialty of forensic data recovery and computer crime.)
But when you really get down to it... Cop.
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BV
Trad climber
Reno
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Nov 24, 2006 - 12:20am PT
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Retail whore
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snakefoot
climber
cali
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Nov 24, 2006 - 11:20am PT
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MD, part time crag rat
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xtrmecat
Trad climber
Kalispell, Montanagonia
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Nov 24, 2006 - 12:42pm PT
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Heavy equipment mechanic/electrician.
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Duke-
Trad climber
SF, CA.
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Nov 24, 2006 - 10:37pm PT
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LEB
Duke,
"That is great! What are they like? Can you comment a bit about how they are. Exactly how "smart" are they and what are their personalities like? They must be incredibly strong. Can you go right in there with them and even touch them or is that too dangerous? Please tell more! Do you work with other primates? How do they compare?"
Yes- It is really cool. You should have seen my "boy" yesterday after his turkey dinner! Power food! He was soooo psyched that I could barely keep up with him. How "Smart"? Well, I would say that he has the intelligence of ruffly a 7-10 year old autistic child. He is extremely intuitive and emotionally sensitive. And yes, he is brutally strong! He weighs in at 450 lbs and stands at 5'6, while I am 165lbs and 5.9. We play chase and tug o war every day, and well, he wins when he wants to (Filthy little cheater though-LOL). But I get to bust out all the human tricks that he never learned in school. Like letting the towel go when he really tugs. Ha ha ha. He loves it! We have one more gorilla, female, but I don't work much with her. But that is fine with me, this one keeps me in fighting shape!
I am glad that you are interested, should I post a thread?
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Jay Hack
Trad climber
bellingham, Washington
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Nov 24, 2006 - 11:53pm PT
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Mountain guide for 5 years for AAI, now I'm a financial advisor
BA-Political Science
MBA-Finance
The Best part about this thread is seeing the diversity in careers/lifestyles that make up the climbing community!
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Aya
Uncategorizable climber
New York
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Nov 25, 2006 - 12:00pm PT
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I'm a total aimless drifter. I currently live with my mother and take undergraduate classes because I want to apply to veterinary school. In the meantime, since I finished my B.S. in Biology (Ivy league, no less!), I have, for income, done the following:
worked as a lab tech making transgenic mice at Stanford
worked at a climbing gym in Santa Clara
worked as a retail slave at Eastern Mountain Sports (that's ongoing - I've worked at 4 different stores now - depends on where I'm living at the time)
Been a substitute/assistant middle/high school teacher (biology, math, art, you name it)
managed two different climbing walls in NYC
started a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary biology at one of the top such programs in the country, lasted about 4.5 years before tiring of academia, quit with a masters.
taught various biology courses whilst a grad student to "support" myself. Yeah, right. $12k a year is going to work in Suffolk County an hour outside of NYC, isn't it? That's where EMS came in again
been a biology tutor
played gigs filling in with orchestras (I play the violin)
sold $1,000,000 condos in Rockaway Park
been a field biologist for an environmental consulting company in the Hamptons
worked as a recruiter for Lehman Brothers
been a bartender
worked one of the top animal hospitals in the country as a vet assistant
It saddens me that I'm going to be 30 in about a month and I still live with my mother and sometimes need her to buy my groceries and whatnot because I can't support myself and jump through the hoops I need to jump through to actually go to vet school, but on the other hand, I've had some pretty fantastic experiences I wouldn't have had otherwise, and that's pretty important, too.
I'm going to go ahead and blame my undergraduate institution, because I honestly do not know a single person who went there who got out of college and knew what they wanted to do, and did it. We're all drifters, trying stuff out, etc - my best friend was a double major in biology and latin; she spent a couple years after school in wyoming working as a ranch hand, and now lives in LA trying to make it as an actress. Another friend worked as an editor at the Providence Phoenix taking all the escort ads, and now works for one of the scholarship programs at URI. Is it underachieving? I don't know.
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Nov 25, 2006 - 01:42pm PT
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Yeah, but, Aya, what if you woke up at age thirty and hadn't done all that stuff?
Looks like a life well lived, to me.
Not knowing where you're going means you can never be lost.
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Tom the Cop
Sport climber
Northern Virginia
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Nov 25, 2006 - 11:50pm PT
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Guess what I do!
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Blowboarder
Boulder climber
Back in the mix
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Nov 26, 2006 - 01:56am PT
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Smoke like a chimney, drink like a fish, completely un-employable so I became an entrepenuer (hope that's spelled right) with a modicum of success. Now I owe the gov almost 20K in back taxes, hope no one here is an IRS agent.
Also, I play a superhero on the internet.
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jbaker
Trad climber
Redwood City, CA
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Nov 26, 2006 - 02:34pm PT
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I did various forms of manual labor until I was almost killed in an industrial accident in a crap job, and desk work suddenly looked pretty tempting. I put myself through college as a swim coach, programmer, and economic analyst. Stayed around for graduate school in operations research and slid into telecommunications engineering. I worked in a corporate research lab managing a group that did telecommunications, signal processing, and software engineering research. Went through an early mid-life crisis after a divorce and went to work as a grassroots organizer for a human rights organization. I stayed with them doing political advocacy and running their Internet operations. I then ran a small nonprofit for a few years, and now work running online campaigns for progressive causes.
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Edge
Trad climber
New Durham, NH
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Nov 26, 2006 - 03:55pm PT
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When I first responded to this thread a year ago, I was designing and building custom furniture.
However, after 17 years alone in a one-man-workshop, I am now working as an Outdoor Ed teacher at an alternative high school for boys that would otherwise fail miserably at life.
It is kind of a "hoods in the woods" program for students who can't tell a real life thrill from a chemically induced one.
I make a fraction of my former salary, but get a much greater reward for my efforts.
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mojede
Trad climber
Butte, America
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Nov 26, 2006 - 05:57pm PT
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B.A. in Political Science (Montana State U.)--helped build a 10,000 sq.ft. English "Tudor" in Montecito, CA; went on to build and run a climbing gym, then installed and refinished wood floors. Lastly, delivered high-end furniture to Big Sky clients, then "retired" to being a Stay-at-Home-Dad (SAHD) in Butte, MT and let my wife bring home the bread for awhile. Climb on.
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JOEY.F
Social climber
sebastopol
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Nov 26, 2006 - 06:58pm PT
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Video Store Owner.
Hey Dave, is this you to whom I owe a caribener that I dropped in TM-you guided me on West Crack in September?
Fun Day!
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climbrunride
Trad climber
Durango, CO
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Nov 26, 2006 - 09:54pm PT
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Yet another cop here. (I'm really putting my BS in Physics to use.) Great schedule - 12 hour shifts, 3 days a week, with a 4 day week every 4th week. That means 3 out of 4 weeks, I get a 4-day weekend. Sweet!
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john hansen
climber
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Nov 26, 2006 - 10:09pm PT
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From the time I was about ten I knew I would be a framer(of houses) and eventually work my way up to a contractor. My father was a contractor and the finacial possibilites seemed good.
This is exactly what I've done,, only took 28 years.
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woodcraft
Trad climber
Fairfax, CA
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Nov 27, 2006 - 03:49am PT
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Contractor. Remodel houses, mostly. 30 years in the trades. Studied volleyball. Self- taught. Microbrew is cool.
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landcruiserbob
Trad climber
the ville, colorado
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Nov 27, 2006 - 10:14am PT
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-Dig big holes in the Earth(rape the land), build a high rise,put a team in there to manage it.
I only have 2 more holes to dig & then I'm dirt bagging for 3 years in the mog with the bulldogs in tow. Wife must be sick of it & moves home to Maui.
-No smoke/ Patron when it's a scary lead or if I'm paddling out into some scary swells.rg
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hobo_dan
Trad climber
Minnesota
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Nov 27, 2006 - 10:21am PT
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Physical Science Teacher/ Investor
and I don't smoke anything since we had our two boys But I have started making my own beer
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Nov 27, 2006 - 03:23pm PT
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can't believe this thread came back to life.
see post 178
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lazide
Big Wall climber
Bay Area, CA
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Nov 27, 2006 - 03:29pm PT
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Silicon valley software guy + entrepreneur. Pushing bits is pretty fun!
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Kartch
climber
belgrade, mt
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Nov 27, 2006 - 03:39pm PT
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BS - Finance
Risk Manager for a portfolio of related companies. Before this I was a wildland firefighter, ski patroller, hoods in the woods counselor, recreation director for a private school, janitor and pizza delivery. So far delivering pies has paid the most $30/hour in S. Utah isn't bad but it only last from 5:30 to 8:30pm.
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hlehmann
Trad climber
CA
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Nov 27, 2006 - 04:51pm PT
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BS - Electrical Engineering
Working in the television post-production bidness, as a software/hardware/telecine-maintenance/everything-else engineer.
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ryanb
climber
Seattle, WA
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Nov 27, 2006 - 06:38pm PT
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BS Math (don't consider it a physical science though) BA anthropology, Minor in physics.
Formerly: House Painter, Construction, Particle Accelerator crew, Math tutor, Statistics Research Assistant, Wind Energy Data Tech.
Currently: Self employed computer programer, working a fair bit of the time now that it is winter but planing lots of no work.
Pretty much the prototipical internet climbing forum life as described in the Origional Post...lots of climbers i meet in the real world are less nerdy. Some are accountants.
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JOEY.F
Social climber
sebastopol
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Nov 28, 2006 - 11:45am PT
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Dave from Earth-
yes, see you again, I've got more TM routes to do...my,You never know who you run into on the taco stand!
31 degrees here this am, must be REAL COLD in Mammoth!
Take care,
Joe.
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wootles
climber
Gamma Quadrant
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Nov 28, 2006 - 11:58am PT
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When I'm not designing rope I break rope. Sometimes if I'm lucky I get to use the ropes I design and hopefully don't break them.
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mack
Trad climber
vermont
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Nov 28, 2006 - 12:45pm PT
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Pharmacist
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Batrock
Trad climber
Burbank
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Nov 28, 2006 - 01:49pm PT
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LA City Fire. At this fire the guy who started it also committed suicide by sitting on the front porch in front of the door, poured gas on himself and lit himself on fire with his family in the house. When I got there I was trying to make entry into the front door but he was blocking it. He was already crispy so I grabbed his leg to drag him out of the way and started to pull. The next thing I know I am flat on my ass with the guys leg in my hand. I pulled the guys leg off! It wasn't till after the fire that I realized he had a prosthetic leg. I still catch crap for that at the station.
Rather be climbing though.
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devaki
Trad climber
socal
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Apr 19, 2007 - 06:17pm PT
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Master Cat Herder, Coconut Wireless Professional.
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feelio Babar
Trad climber
Sneaking up behind you...
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Apr 19, 2007 - 06:27pm PT
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pixel wrangler
Illustration/Graphic Design
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Apr 19, 2007 - 06:31pm PT
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20 years of service in Uncle Sam's Misguided Children (worked on F/A-18's)...retired 3 years ago.
Currently employed as an Avionics Tech Rep. for aircraft instrument company.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Apr 19, 2007 - 06:31pm PT
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Manufacturing supervisor (audio-electronics).
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BurnRockBurn
climber
South of Black Rock City
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Apr 19, 2007 - 08:08pm PT
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ER RN
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Apr 19, 2007 - 08:12pm PT
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Cartography(GIS/GPS) for land appraisal
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DonC
climber
CA
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Apr 19, 2007 - 08:39pm PT
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A very interesting mix of folks here. Some sure have had varied careers. I got married and started working at a small GIS company 28 years ago right out of grad school. Still married to the same woman, and the 12 person company I joined so long about now has over 3000 people. My goal in life is to keep it simple - one wife and one job.
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C4C
Social climber
ADKS, NY
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Apr 19, 2007 - 10:54pm PT
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I believe in resurrection- I'll keep it alive.
I'm:
-on staff with a non-profit org called Climbing for Christ
-build challenge courses and climbing walls/towers for Signature Research Inc.
-own my own tree service business
-Not a big fan of "higher" education.
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the_don
Trad climber
Arlington, VA
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Apr 19, 2007 - 11:22pm PT
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Engineer by training. Currently working as a policy analyst and advocate. Wedding next month, travel for the summer, grad school starts in the fall.
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Nick
climber
portland, Oregon
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Apr 20, 2007 - 12:21am PT
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BA geology
MA education
Middle School science teacher
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Off the Couch
Trad climber
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Apr 20, 2007 - 12:46am PT
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BA, then JD
Attorney, mostly defense. I will most certainly be doing something else in 10 years (after over 20 years of practicing).
If I had to drink, it would be red wine. Although an ex taught me all about beer and how to drink it, so a beer once in a while tastes good.
Jen
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno, CA
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Apr 20, 2007 - 12:53am PT
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Man, I remember the year that EDS cat herding commercial was aired during the SuperBowl... Stupid! Especially if you've ever had to work with those lame-asses. They couldn't heard cats to a mouse convention even if they were serving catnip!
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Apr 20, 2007 - 02:49am PT
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O K;....guess I'll add to the heap;....Elem. Teacher. Kindergarten teacher last 2 years, but taught everything from 3rd to 6th.....taught in San Diego county, Lake Isabella (So. Sierra), Oglala, So. Dak., Lukaichukai, Arizona, ...taught 1/2 year in So. Wales in Brit. Isles, and last 20 some years in Yucca Valley, California. B.A. from U.C. Irvine, and Teacher Cred. from Cal State Univ. Long Beach. I am just a humble servant;...mine is not to ask why, but to obey. Be a teacher, be a hero. Been working with kids for well over 30 years;...and now I have 3 infants of my own. Babys R Us. I'M TOAST!
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samg
climber
SLC
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Apr 20, 2007 - 03:24am PT
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Audio Engineer (mastering engineer, also do some mixing, though I don't like it as much).
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TwistedCrank
climber
Hell
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Apr 20, 2007 - 10:24am PT
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GIS consultant and software engineer
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mdavid
Big Wall climber
CA, CO, TX
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Apr 20, 2007 - 10:45am PT
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BS Computer Science
MS Information Sys
total banking engineering geek; wires ach oh yea!
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eeyonkee
Trad climber
Golden, CO
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Apr 20, 2007 - 11:32am PT
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Recently promoted to manager of software development after my boss left. Pretty sure that I have risen to my level of incompetence.
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wiclimber
Trad climber
devil's lake, wi
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Apr 20, 2007 - 12:01pm PT
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Unemployed
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More Pitches
Trad climber
Draper, Utah
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Apr 20, 2007 - 05:55pm PT
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Real Estate Broker with offices in Utah and Colorado. Great money and lots and lots of free time to climb.
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climbingjones
Trad climber
grass valley,ca
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Apr 20, 2007 - 06:25pm PT
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Construction. Interior metal stud framing, suspended acoustical ceiling mechanic, drywall (all phases). Worked about 7 months last year. Make enough to live. Climbed more than anything. No college. Someone once told me that, "College teaches you how to think about things". I thought, "Sweet! Think of all of the money and time I saved. I already know how to think. For myself too. How about that?"
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hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
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Apr 20, 2007 - 08:12pm PT
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for a living, for that all important dollar which translates into a full tummy and the toys I need to play, I live & work in the heart of my playground. Unfortunatly, that means I have to share, so I do reservations and clean cabins, hoping to make our guest all too short stays as fun as possible so they won't stop thinking about being outside. Maybe they'll fight a little to save some of it.
I too am not a big fan of advanced western education. It seems to educate us to continue the uncontinuable machine. What a rat race!
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