Our Inspiration, Co-Founder, and Route Pioneer:
Ric began his long climbing career in the early 1970′s. Ric recalls, “That was back when legends like Chouinard, Robbins, Kor, and Gill were looked up to by newcomers like me.” In the 1980′s Ric focused on rock climbing, bouldering, alpine climbing, and ski mountaineering . “Then sport climbing came along and I was hooked. That’s all I wanted to do.” He co-founded the Springs Climbing Center in 1992 with friends Erick Christianson & Mark VanHorn. During the peak of his career Ric competed in and organized several national & regional competitions. He also established many routes in our region’s more popular climbing & bouldering areas such as Shelf Road and Ute Valley. “I’m so pleased to see Austin carry on this legacy with the support of Alex & Lex!” Ric now lives in Pueblo West, Colorado with his wife Cindy. He now enjoys sailing these days but says climbing still is and will always be a big part of his life.
Our Committed Owners:
Austin Geiman
has been actively involved in many aspects of the sport of climbing since his early childhood. Aside from being a very accomplished climber—competing anywhere from local competitions in his youth, to a bouldering world cup in Paris, France—Austin has been a keystone participant in the development of many local bouldering and sport climbing destinations.
Favorite Climb: “Sky“ V13
Alex Ford
has been a committed contributor to the climbing community since falling in love with the sport in 2005 while in college. He enjoys taking frequent climbing trips throughout the southwest with his family, and focuses on cultivating a spirit of respect and a sense of stewardship towards the outdoors. Alex is an accomplished musician and also enjoys capturing his climbing excursions through photography and film.
Favorite Climb: “Geometric Progression“ V10
Lex Sanchez
Started climbing at Springs Climbing Center in the summer of 1998 and fell in love with the community and sport. Since then, he has pursued many interests in different places, but SCC has been the common point of return. Lex enjoys the arts, especially music, and enjoys collaborating and recording with various artists.
Favorite climb: “Wie Im Urlaub” V10
Our Hardworking Team:
Denver Heinz
Roles: Gym Manager, Head Routesetter, Youth Coach
I started my journey with SCC in the summer of ‘17, and haven’t looked back. I love to spend my time climbing outdoors, routesetting, video editing, mountain biking, and playing my drum set. I hope to one day routeset National Cup Series events, and climb outdoors in Switzerland, South Africa, and British Columbia.
Favorite Climb: “When Life Gives You Lemons” V13
Luke Vincent
Roles: Front Desk Expert
Climber and Photographer from Pennsylvania. I moved to the Springs in 2018 and quickly found my home at SCC. I use climbing as an excuse to go to cool places and sometimes take photos along the way.
Favorite Climb: “Darth Nick” V13
Megan Mascarenas
Roles: Routesetter, coach
Basically a legend.
Favorite Climb: “Te Cuelgas Guey“ V13
India Adam
Roles: Front Desk
I started climbing at the age of 11 and immersed myself in the competitive scene. Now with 10 years of climbing under my belt, I still compete in the collegiate series but climbing has become much more about community. I’ve enjoyed exploring more of the outside climbing world in Colorado, Utah and Nevada whenever I can.
Favorite Climb: “Jabberwocky” V9
Tanner Walsh
Roles: Front Desk
Colorado Springs native with 5 generations attending Palmer High School. Prior collegiate High Jumper turned bouldering bum. Masters in Computer Science and happy to be your local IT guy!
Favorite climb: “Unshackled” V7
Sam Halmrast
Roles: Youth Coach
I started climbing on a competitive youth team in Seattle in 2016. After four years as an athlete, I first began coaching and immediately knew that I wanted to at pursue a career as a coach. My favorite pastime in the gym is making up the most ridiculous competition style moves possible. I'm currently a student at Colorado College studying Human Biology/Kinesiology and Philosophy, and getting outside when I have the time.
Favorite climb: Kingslayer V13 in Index, WA
Ti Schwarz
Roles: Youth Coach
Could've gone pro in Tetris if I hadn't blown out my knee.
Founder of the UCCS Climbing Team. Sometimes participates in USA Climbing/local competitions. Climbs outside once in a blue moon.
My favorite part of climbing is watching my friends do hard moves, crag napping, and sharing my snacks with everyone. When I’m not climbing/thinking about what I’d being climbing if I’m not excessively injured, I’m either playing a video game, with my friends, or trying to integrate climbing into my coding projects. I love sharing the joy of climbing with people (especially the youth team), and the community and purpose that it’s brought into my life.
Favorite Climb: “Duskdawn” in Montrose, Colorado
Melanie (Mel) Robertson
Roles: Route Setter
Former team kid and total gym rat turned crusty trad climber.
Favorite climb: “Vesper” 5.12b
The WU
Roles: Bringing Insane Amounts of Psych
These guys work the speakers on the regs.
Favorite Climb: “Chambers“ V36