Misty Mountain’s ambassadors are an integral part of our design and engineering process. As these athletes climb around the globe, they carry with them some of our newest apparel and equipment, helping us to design the greatest harnesses built in the USA.

Mary Eden Misty Mountain Ambassador 1

MARY EDEN

Originally a Kentucky girl with an obsession for horses, I moved to Moab, UT and fell in love with the rocks, canyons, and desert life. Why do I climb? I’ll never truly be able to explain the joy I find in climbing. I love the struggle, the community, the challenge, and growth I experience in this sport, and all that good stuff translates over into every aspect of my life. Currently, I am in AMGA Rock Guide Apprentice training for my Advanced Rock Guide course. Life is good in the desert! Good climbs and great people make it even better!

Alan Goldbetter Misty Profile

ALAN GOLDBETTER

The best way to describe Alan is as an “adventurist”. From Norwegian bigwalls to the alpine climbs of Patagonia, Alan enjoys climbs that promise good adventure and questionable success, in far-flung locations. For many years, Alan was a professional climbing instructor, and taught throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, sharing the joys of rock climbing with countless clients. Currently, Alan shares his passion for adventure with others through multimedia presentations and via his blog, Adventures of Alan G. On all his adventures, Alan never leaves home without his most beloved and versatile piece of gear, the Misty Mountain Sonic Harness.

Lee Hansche Misty Mountain Ambassador

LEE HANSCHE

Lee Hansche has been climbing in New Hampshire and around the US for the past 25 years. A passion for nature, movement, and mental fortitude are the primary drivers for his activity in the sport. While recently leaning toward sport climbing, Lee is happy to climb boulders and is thrilled to get out trad climbing whenever possible. Locals know Lee as the manager and resident guide of two Vertical Dreams climbing gyms, a board member with the Rumney Climbers Association, Mountain Project administrator, and generally psyched climber and route developer!

KATHY KARLO

Kathy Karlo is a rock climber based out of Brooklyn, NY. Her love of rock and ice has been a life changing experience. She encourages anyone and everyone to try it! Her belief that climbing a rock is so much more than that…it’s a life journey that forever tests the limits of possibility. She chooses Misty, not only because of their quality made gear, but also because the Misty brand aligns with the message she is dedicating her life to delivering: do what you love, with love. Her future goals include big walls, aid soloing, and exploring the alpine world.

IAN KING

A North Carolina native, he grew up in the Southeast staying active through team sports but then something happened to him early in his 20’s: he discovered backpacking, climbing, and developed an insatiable appetite for adventures in nature. Captivated and inspired by a backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail, Ian moved to Yosemite in 2010 with a Misty Mountain Highlander pad, a rope and some quick draws. Hardly a month later, he traded his savings account for a trad rack. In the off season he’d migrate back to Chapel Hill and spend the winters climbing splitters at Rumbling Bald and Stone Mountain. Ian relocated to Boulder, CO in 2012 to be close to the amazing rocks of Eldo, RMNP, Devil’s Tower, and Indian Creek.
 
Bobby Lavarnway Misty Mountain Ambassador 1

Robert Lavarnway

Robert’s passion for climbing began over 20 years ago in the mountains of North Carolina. His adventures have led him to some world-class climbing that includes Yosemite, RMNP, Eldo, and Smith Rock. He is an AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor and loves to share his passion and knowledge with others. He is a big fan of MMT’s adaptive equipment and utilizes several of their products to provide climbing experiences to people with varied abilities. He currently calls Charleston, SC home where he manages The Climbing Wall at James Island County Park and coaches their youth competitive team. When not out climbing or teaching, Robert plays saxophone in a swing band and studies martial arts.

Tracy Martin

Tracy is a NC native, but currently lives in Las Vegas, NV. She has been climbing 26 years and still craves the adventure of placing gear the most, although she loves the hang time with friends while clipping bolts. A Misty Mountain harness has been her first choice since she first learned to climb, partly because the MMT crew adopted her as a little sister long ago and partly because the trad harness can hold a full rack without losing its backbone and comfort. She has put a many of harnesses to the test while becoming certified as an AMGA Rock Guide. She is also a Warrior’s Way Trainer, Graphic Designer and Pet Portrait Artist.

Paul Nelson

Paul Nelson currently lives at the New River Gorge, WV, where he manages the American Alpine Club’s campground.  He has been climbing for 15 years, and in that time has dabbled in most forms of rock climbing around the US, Canada, and Mexico from big walls to bouldering.  His favorite types of climbing however, usually involve sandstone, cracks, and traditional protection.  Indian Creek, the Gunks, and the New River Gorge are his favorite crags.  Paul is psyched on Misty Mountain because of their no frills, elegant gear, and the fact that they are 100% made in the USA.  His favorite harnesses are the Cirque and the Cadillac. When he’s not climbing, Paul plays bluegrass mandolin, jazz guitar, writes articles for rockclimbing.com and writes his own blog.  He’s also a historian; check out his history of Utah’s Canyon Country, “Wrecks of Human Ambition” here.

Aaron Parlier

I grew up in Southwestern Virginia, and currently live in beautiful Boone, NC.  Having avidly climbed for ten years I’ve enjoyed all types of rock climbing, but bouldering is without a doubt my forte.  While exploration and first ascents are my true passion here in Appalachia, I enjoy visiting classic boulder fields both near and far, and getting caught up in personal sagas with some of the Southeast’s finest test pieces.  Misty Mountain gear has always been my first choice due to the quality craftsmanship and durable dependability of their products.  A lot of heart, soul, and thought go into each stitch and seam, and it’s evident with every use.

Kevin Riley

Kevin began climbing back in 2003 while attending UMASS – Amherst. A co worker at Adventure Outfitters – now defunct – took him to a local, gneiss climbing area, called Rose Ledge. In 2007, Kevin moved to NYC to work for Climbing and Urban Climber magazines. In 2012, he left the magazines to develop the website  ActioninSolitude.com. When Kevin is not climbing he loves to run long distances in the woods and play music.

Helen Sinclair

A New Zealander living in Boulder, Colorado, Hellen attempts to spend as much time climbing and training as possible. It’s always a difficult trade off, working full time as an EMT, ski patroller, climbing coach, and climbing at every opportunity in-between. The result is a fitness well suited to long hard climbs. Recent successes include free climbing the Rainbow Wall in Red Rocks and the West Face of El Capitan. The future holds some link-ups in Zion and another trip to Yosemite Valley. Sport and Trad climbing at 5.13 and coaching in a bouldering gym Helen loves all climbing disciplines from big mountains to the plastic. Stay tuned by visiting her website helensinclair.com