Board of Directors

Climbing has always been a source of exploration, purpose, and community for me. I am honored to serve on the Board of SLCA and to have an opportunity to advocate for the protection of the natural spaces that make climbing in Utah a special experience.

I took a climbing course at Dartmouth College, and was instantly hooked. It wasn’t just because of the 5 P’s (power, perseverance, precision, poise, and profanity) that climbing demanded, but also because of the friendships, the tight-knit community, and the profound impact it had on my worldview. In the intervening 30 years, participation in climbing has soared. Consequently, it is incumbent upon the climbing community to be responsible stewards of our crags, and to coalesce in advocating for sustainable access to these crags. I am extremely grateful to serve on the SLCA board, and look forward to contributing to its robust legacy of advocacy, stewardship and community building in the Wasatch.

I was lucky enough to be raised in Northern Utah and benefit from the many leaders that established amazing climbing resources and access across all disciplines of climbing. From steep sport routes to world-class cracks and glorious alpine adventures, the Wasatch provides it all. And now as I pass the climbing bug on to my kids and their future climbing partners, I have a heightened priority to help protect and preserve these amazing resources. I want them to experience the joy of an LCC sunrise 2 pitches up and the satisfaction of exploring a wild place right in their backyard.

One of my core values is service, and I am excited to serve on SLCA's Board of Directors to give back to the land and community that has given so much. It's an incredible feeling to experience the results of this organization's care, whether it's hiking a sustainable approach trail or clipping a safely installed bolt.

Darren moved to Utah from Texas in 1987. He started climbing in Rock Canyon when there were only 55 climbs. Since then he has established over 350 pitches in Rock Canyon. He found Maple Canyon in 1994 with Boyle and Pedersen and began bolting there, as well as finding and developing many of the bouldering areas in Joe's Valley. He found and developed the bouldering areas known as Price is Right and Triassic. Darren has established more than 1,000 sport, trad, and ice climbs. He has also maintained and replaced the bolts and anchors of Rock Canyon, out of his own pocket, for over 30 years. He has 100's of first ascents in The San Rafael Swell, Ibex, Monroe, Santaquin, and Hobble Creek just to name a few.