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. 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!

IAN KING

A North Carolina native, Ian 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.  Ian’s spent the last 9 years living in California, North Carolina, and Colorado pursuing traditional, bigwall, and alpine rock climbing.  He’s the owner of Onsight Resoles and currently lives a nomadic life traveling the country climbing and providing top notch resoles at climbing gyms and events across the country.
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.

Taj McMann

Taj is 12 year old climber local to Boone, NC. Taj found the love for climbing when Center 45 opened up and his parents sent him to the summer climbing camp. Taj caught the climbing bug when he was 9 years old and began climbing for USA Climbing. Over the past year climbing outside has become his true passion. Taj usually climbs around five days a week and loves sport climbing and bouldering. Some notable climbs include: 

Ominous Roof V9 – Have Guns Keep traveling V9 – The Pastafarian V9/10  –Saltwater V9 – I Think I can V9 

Godzilla 5.13a – Socias 5.13a  – Butt In Hand 5.13a  – Venus Butterfly 5.13a  – Jesus Wept 5.12d  – Make It A Double 5.12d

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.

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

Sylvan Christensen

Born and raised in Moab, UT, it would only make sense that Sylvan Christensen spends all of his time pursuing Desert based activities. Hot days and heavy bags are a staples of Sylvan’s spire top missions. Activities that Sylvan pursues mostly are highlining, rock climbing, and rope swinging. Sylvan works as a Canyoneering and Rock Climbing Guide in Moab, UT. Spending most of his time on ropes, it’s safe to say that having a trustworthy harness is one of Sylvan’s top priorities!

Charlie Ritter

Charlie has been climbing for about 5 years since moving to Boone, NC from Norfolk, VA. His main focus has been single pitch sport and trad climbing with an occasional long outing. Charlie first found his passion for climbing right here in Boone and I’ve hit the ground running ever since my discovery. He has sampled areas such Bishop, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Red River Gorge, and the New River Gorge. Recently, he has discovered the satisfaction that’s in bolt replacement along with trail and route development.

Why climbing? “Climbing has opened so many doors for me in the few years that I’ve been gifted the sport. I have met so many new people and built such a great community so quickly. I love working a project with a buddy and not only getting to spend time with my partner but also getting to know a route. I enjoy a heinous adventure bush-whacking only to find a pile of choss. It’s just about being out there and feeling disconnected with you and your buddies. A Misty harness has been my first choice ever since I set foot outside. There’s nothing like being cozy while trying hard.”

Carter Smith

Carter has been climbing pretty much all of his life. He began to focus his energy on training for climbing and competing in 2010. His main disciplines are bouldering and single pitch trad and sport climbing. However, he can be found on larger features like Laurel Knob from time to time.

Carter coaches, teaches, and guides in the climbing industry all around Western North Carolina and the South East in general. While his passion for climbing is what got him into the industry, helping young adults realize their own potential for greatness is what made him stick around.

Carter’s personal climbing achievements are varied. From competing at a national level and double digit bouldering in Boone, to ski mountaineering in Banff National Park and speed climbing big walls in Mexico, Carter follows his psych through the sport.

Tanner Cislaw

Tanner Cislaw has been climbing and competing for over a year now after taking home the Bronze Medal at the IFSC Paraclimbing World Championships in 2019.

In March of 2018, Tanner was involved in an hiking accident which resulted in lower body paralysis, however, the accident didn’t stop him from pursuing recreational and physically demanding activities. He quickly began rock climbing per the recommendation of this physical therapist and shortly thereafter meet climber, Jake Sanchez, who planted a seed in his head that would materialize into a dream of climbing competitively. With hardworking and determination that dream quickly became a reality and Tanner has completed on both the national and international stage.

According to Tanner, competing at the World Championship’s was an amazing and empowering experience that helped to introduce him to a newfound community where he was able to share his passion for climbing and enjoying life regardless of differences or circumstances.