Matt Chalmers -- originator of the mythical "Chalmsky Traverse"
Chalmers about to descend to White Rock Lakes
Started climbing: Spring 1991. Fort Collins, Colorado. Reason? I couldn't find a date for a stupid formal fraternity party (yes, you can judge me if you want!), so instead, I signed up for a climbing class up at Horsetooth Reservoir. Loved it. Been seeking out granite splitter cracks ever since. Boulder Canyon, Eldorado Canyon, and Vedauwoo, Wyoming became a weekly outing. You'd think I'd be better at those damn off-width's after all that time at Vedauwoo.
Favorite Climbs: Definitely the Bastille Crack, in Eldo. Truly represents so much of a classic Colorado multi-pitch climb, and it is on sandstone. City of Rocks, Private Idaho has a phenomenal line, and truly feels 5.9. Alpine routes always get my juices flowing: Pigeon Spire and Kain Route (Bugaboo Provincial Park) make 5.4 and 5.6, respectively, more exciting than anything I have found in the lower 48. Liberty Ridge on Mt. Rainier rocked my world, and worked me good! Let's just say that Washington's and British Columbia's alpine routes make me as excited as wings and scotch!
Favorite Things in Life: My sweet, sweet, wife makes me smile daily! Toblerone chocolate and dark, strong coffee is pretty perfect most any day; Rolling Stones and Neil Young (circa 1968-1973), and Wilco bring me tranquility; making dinner at home with my sweetie, fresh flowers from the yard, clean granite on a 72 degree day with a slight breeze, and good bourbon; corn dogs, donuts, and pizza should be their own food group; friends to share great days and night with; smiles, sunrises, and Avatar Jasmine IPA's round out my world. My wedding weekend was pure bliss - I'd do it again in a heartbeat.