Climbing and Ropes
Course Bio, or
Fitness Bio Here
Contact:marc@marcsbasecamp.com or
(864) 812-ROCK
YouTube videos coming soon
Sending "Gas Chamber" (5.13a) at Foster Falls, TN
- Born July 1967
- Owner / Operator “Cliff Dweller, Inc.” Rock Climbing
- Eastern Rep, Competitive Climbing Rank (CCR)
- ACE certified Personal Trainer (Atlanta's original climbing personal trainer)
- Certified Course Setter
- Challenge Course Director and Contract Facilitator
- Climbing guide
ROCK CLIMBING and ROPES COURSE BIOGRAPHY
Synopsis: Now "based" out of North Carolina and Atlanta, I have - since 1992 - been climbing at nearly every area in the Southeast USA; and extensively in California, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, West Virginia, and Kenya in East Africa. Although something of a sport climbing / on-sight specialist, have made alpine ascents of Mt. Whitney and Mt. Kenya; sampled North Carolina ice climbing; and climbed big traditional walls in Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne, and North Carolina as well.
Outdoor Climbing - Performance Highlights:
- Flash (First try, no falls ascent) of “Harvest,” (13a) Red River Gorge, KY
- First known Onsight of “Rage,” (12c) South Clear Creek, TN
- Trad ascents up to 5.12c
- Dozens of Onsights at and above 5.12b
- First Ascent of one of East Africa’s hardest routes “Happy Birthday, Pierce” (12b) Nemesis wall, Kenya.
- For all the places I've climbed (that I can think of), click here
Competition Background:
Since 1994: Have been ranked as high as number nine in the country among competitive climbers and placed as high as fourth in category at the International level. 1995: Organized, promoted, coordinated, and obtained sponsorship for a national level, ASCF-sanctioned event in Atlanta 1999: Promoted and helped coordinate the Regional Bouldering competition at “Escala” in Atlanta, GA. 2000: Co founded, with peerless speed climber Hans Florine, Competitive Climbing Rank (CCR), an organization that ranks American competition climbers and provides organizational resources for climbing gyms. We have been and still are working to induct climbing as an Olympic medal sport. 2000: Certified by Tony Yaniro as a USCCA competition course setter. 2001: Helped coordinate and emcee the ABS National Bouldering Championships in Cincinnati, Ohio. 2001: Course set with Tony Yaniro for the On the Edge “Hold-a-thon” competition in Melbourne, FL. 2001: Worked as Head Course Setter for the American Bouldering Series Local competition at On the Edge, Florida in Melbourne; a regional level competition at Five Points Wall in Clevland, TN; and a local USCCA competition in Kennesaw, GA.
Climbing Wall Construction and Climbing Programs:
Founder and owner of Cliff Dweller Rock Climbing, Inc. Climbing Gym and Climbing Wall Construction; Climbing Program Consulting; Certified Course Setting; Climbing Instruction (at the gym) and Guiding (out on the real rock); Corporate Team Building; Climbing Demos, Slide Shows, Presentations, Motivational Speaking, and Ropes Course Facilitation.
Challenge Course Credentials:
Received initial challenge course training in Rome, GA in 1992 from Gus Denzik of Experiential Resources. Since that time, have regularly worked on, conceived, and led challenge course programs for youth to corporate groups. While Adventure Sports Director at the Sporting Club Windy Hill, received course director and operator training directly from Mike Fischesser of Alpine Towers. Mike is one of the founders of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). Since 1998, have received ongoing mentoring and challenge course construction and standards training directly from Dan Pervorse, who is the president of the ACCT (the world's standard-setting body for the challenge course industry). Have worked with Dan building courses and been a business partner with him.
Fitness Industry:
From 1994 to 2001 (and again in 2003and 4), worked in three different fitness centers as a programs director...two with climbing walls. In May 2002, wrote the cover feature spread about climbing in Fitness Management magazine (click here to view it on line), the fitness industry trade magazine. Since then, Marc has been a primary contact for the fitness industry on climbing, and one of the country's original, full time climbing personal trainers.
Media Dealings:
Photos of, and articles written by, me have appeared in books and international publications such as Southeastern Rock, “Climbing magazine,” “Rock and Ice” online, “Boulderdash!;” The Atlanta Journal and Constitution and many other newspapers; and “Atlanta Sports & Fitness” magazine. In May 2002, wrote the cover feature spread in Fitness Management magazine. Also have appeared on many television news programs and specials promoting and demonstrating climbing.
WORK HISTORY (Since Graduating Berry College in December 1993):
February 1994 to July 1996; The Sporting Club at Windy Hill: Adventure Sports Director at this premier, twenty-two million dollar fitness center. Managed and operated the tallest climbing wall in the Southeastern USA, and an Alpine Tower Ropes Course; guided club members and their guests on outdoor climbing and adventure excursions. During tenure at the Sporting Club, received additional training as a ropes course manager and facilitator from Mike Fischesser, a co-founder of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), which sets the standards for the industry; earned Wilderness First Responder Certification, and organized a national level climbing event (See “Competition Background” section).
July 1996 to November 1997; Full Time Climber. Based in Atlanta, worked as a guide and personal trainer for many climbers, including female world record holder for 8,000 meter peaks, Christine Boskoff.
November 1997 to November 2001; Wieuca Road Baptist Church: As Athletics and Activities Director, designed and built the climbing facilities at Wieuca; had a ropes course installed, which I helped to build; and developed the climbing and ropes course program from inception. Wieuca was the first Church in the country to have modern climbing facilities and a complete program for teaching on them. While at Wieuca, received extensive ropes course construction training from Dan Pervorse, the owner of Signature Research. Dan and I have continued our association to the present day. Have built and climbed in Limuru, Kenya, East Africa, where in February 2001 built the country’s first rock climbing gym, helped install the ropes course, and served as a consultant for the development of their climbing program. Also managed the Camp Wieuca summer program and the youth basketball league; conducted adventure based activities for Camp Wieuca After School; and facilitated the Wieuca Venturing Troop (a Boy Scouts of America program).
November 2001 to Present; Full time Contract Facilitator and President, Cliff Dweller, Inc: Formed Cliff Dweller, Inc. Cliff Dweller builds climbing walls and climbing gyms, and provides program consulting and resources to clients. Also continue to work on a variety of ropes courses as a contract facilitator and corporate trainer, and as a personal trainer to rock climbers and fitness clients.
Corporate Training and Team building: Team building and speaking ventures began in 1994 while at The Sporting Club Windy Hill. This work continues to the present day with companies such as Security One, a high tech on line banking firm; KPMG accounting; Pulley and Associates general contractors; Shaw Industries; Chick-Fil-A corporate; Chili’s restaurant executives; Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech); Cingular Wireless, GSU’s Executive MBA Program; Ridgeview Hospital; and the FBI Hostage Rescue Team; just to name a few.
Other Information and Interests
1993 cum laude graduate of Berry College in Rome, GA; where received a BA in Political Science. Main interests include aviation, running, mountain and road biking, SCUBA, martial arts, photography, books, history, current events, geography, travel, and the space program. Has been in the US Army Reserve and National Guard since 1988 (with a break in service from 1994 to 2003). Currently serving on active duty (since Aug 2004). Call for unit assignments.
References (Write to marc@marcsbasecamp.com for reference contact info):
- Hans Florine, world champion speed climber and CCR President
- Wayne Campbell, Founder of Radwall, Inc.
- Dan Pervorse, founder and owner of Signature Research
- Mike Fischesser, founder of Alpine Towers International and the ACCT
- Joel Mills: Activities Minister at Wieuca Road Baptist Church