STAFF PROFILES
These are the fine individuals you may meet during a visit to Stone Age. The following profiles will give you a little taste of the personalities of our gym, their interests and climbing careers. They are very much safety conscious and strive to make your visit to the gym enjoyable.
Aaron Stromberg LINKS:
Position at Stone Age: Team Mojo Coach, Route Setter, Graphic Designer, Nice Guy Industry Experience: I have been training competitive youth climbers for nine years, and have been a freelance Graphic Designer for five years. Certifications: CWA Instructor, USA Climbing Coach Education: BFA from UNM Climbing Since: I have been climbing since I was born Favorite Routes: I currently don’t have any favorite routes, just favorite experiences. Climbing with my brother in Hueco, climbing with my Dad at Datil, or anytime I get outside with my friends. I’m hoping to visit Yosemite, and so my answer may change soon. : ) Vices: Chips, beer, dogs, and chips. Favorite Quote: “A man walked into the room with no arms, and so I asked if I could lend him a hand.” –Scott Stromberg About Me: I have a beautiful wife, two children who bark & wag their tails, a skateboard, some climbing gear, a snowboard, and a backpack with worn down hiking boots.
Anna Rasmussen LINKS:
Outside of climbing I love to do Cryptograms, read and watch movies, gardening, slacklining, trampolining, and learning epic martial arts choreography from the Matrix and Ip Man. I also love heading to the mountains at night to see the arms of the milky way and other such things that totally blow your mind when you try to think about them. I also loathe tornados and anchovies.
Anthony Pomo LINKS:
I first started climbing in high school after a long time school chum, now turned nemesis, Quinault Childs, invited me to the gym. After too long, climbing on plastic, in th confines of the gym proved to be too "safe" and "regulated" for Quinault. Although hesitant, I agreed to join him on various outings, otherwise known as the "Great Deeds and Mishaps with Sir Quin". What ensued was a rampage of illegal firework use, destruction of public and private property, and a little climbing. My climbing career finally turned around when a local climbing legend offered to be my climbing partner. Since those dangerous days with Quin, I have learned to appreciate value of the creation that is nature and most importantly, the friendships I have been blessed with.
Benjamin Henning LINKS:
I enjoy all things genuine. I have a passion for physical endeavors that are defined by brutal honesty: Climbing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Backpacking, etc. I have a great love of both man and nature, and I strive to help others safely connect the two in a that's respectful of both. I believe that anything worth doing, is worth doing with care, curiosity, love, and passion; so engage, be patient, and savor all the moments of what you do.
Bryan Pletta LINKS: Bryan@StoneAgeClimbingGym.com
Bryan started climbing in 1984 in the southeast while attending school at Clemson University in SC. He developed his skills on the traditional granite cracks and faces of NC and was even known to miss a Clemson Tiger home football game in favor of a weekend at Looking Glass during those early years. He likes all forms of climbing but does more sport climbing these days due to limited time and convenience. Bryan is the NM regional coordiator for the Access Fund and President of the NM Climbers' Resource and Advocacy Group (NMCRAG). His favorite areas include The Sandia's, Palomas, Enchanted Tower, Mt. Lemmon, Yosemete, and Kalymnos, Greece. He has climbed up to 5.12 traditional and sport routes and climbed alpine routes over 21,000 feet in South America. Bryan is certified in First Aid/CPR and is an American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) Climbing Wall Instructor Certified Provider.
Curran Lemp LINKS: Curran@StoneAgeClimbingGym.com
I was first introduced to climbing at the age of 12 through boy scouts. After a long hiatus and trials in many other sports I returned to climbing in 2005 through my college climbing club. Since then the life style of climbing has become my own. Climbing has taken me from coast to coast and south of the border. Some of my favorite spots include Protrero Chico, Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Maple Canyon, Cochise Stronghold, and the Sandias among many others.
Grayson Vogel LINKS:
Grayson, great grappler of graying granite, is a laborer here at the climbing gym (pronounced with hard "G"). While not climbing, working at a place where others climb, thinking about climbing, or having the occasional climbing-related dream, he can usually be found writing and working on long and impressive looking equations and formulas,a peacock behavior of the worst kind. Currently attending school at UNM, he takes classes in civil engineering in the hopes of someday designing a round-about that will be loved by all. Rock climbing is not the first activity to engross him, in the past his time has been consumed by basketball, track and field, chess and drama, ultimately creating a pleasant blend of athlete and nerd. He is looking forward to continuously learning more about rock climbing and spreading this knowledge unto others.
Jessi Reddick LINKS:
After school I left the land of Hoosiers and deep-fried butter and headed southwest for a rampant public school teaching and tutoring spree in Northwest New Mexico. After a series of mishaps, guffaws, and adventures, I landed in Albuquerque and was pleased to discover that mountains are more conducive to climbing and snowboarding than cornfields. I decided to stay a while...
Jojo Pomo LINKS:
Jojo Pomo grew up in Albuquerque and spent a fair amount of his childhood with a video game controller in his hands. That is until 2006, when he started tagging along with his older brother to rock climb at Stone Age. Since then he has given away his xbox and spent most his free time to (almost) crushing rocks, instead of aliens. He enjoys sport climbing inside and outside but prefers the crisp, desert air of New Mexico's crags. Apart from the climbing world, Jojo is currently an undergrad at UNM studying Chemistry and Spanish, he takes piano lessons, and eats more dark chocolate than he ought to.
Katie Ortiz LINKS:
I was introduced to climbing when my little brother was invited to a birthday party here. I climbed up and down the Gri-Gri wall for a couple hours, and fell in love. I knew from then on, all I wanted to do was climb. Shortly after, I joined Team Mojo, and have been climbing and competing since; competitions have definetly become one of my favorite parts of climbing. My life consists of going to school and being at the gym, whether its working or climbing. Once I get out of high school I plan to study medicine, and hopefully one day become a doctor, all while still climbing of course!
Kenton Puckett LINKS:
Kenton Puckett was born and raised in the southeast corner of NM and moved to Albuquerque in the fall of 2003 to attend UNM. His introduction to climbing did not occur until the spring of 2008, but once it happened it was a match made....well somewhere in the desert. Since that time he has climbed as often as he can. Kenton avoids limiting himself to any one style of climbing, he boulders, climbs sport routes, and does traditional climbing as well. Some of his favorite places to climb near Albuquerque are the Sandias, Palomas Peak, Box Canyon, Diablo Canyon, and anywhere in the Jemez. Two all time favorites are Hueco Tanks, TX and Indian Creek, UT. Aside from climbing rocks Kenton enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, backpacking, mountaineering, playing guitar and banjo, spending time with his girlfriend and dog, and being silly during all of his conscious hours. He has a B.A. in History from the University of New Mexico and is also an alumnus of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Kenton is a certified Wilderness EMT and American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Climbing Wall Instructor.
Kristen Martinez LINKS:
Kristen started climbing at 17 years old, way back in 1999. Lucky for her, that outdoor class nearly 10 years ago was put on by instructors from Stone Age Climbing Gym. Shortly after she started volunteering to belay for kids who came to the gym, she was given her first job! That job has made her what she is today. Kristen is an NSCA certified personal trainer, a group fitness instructor and owns her own yoga studio for children. She loves everything from racing triathlons to ice climbing and leading sport in Socorro. Her perfect day includes waking up in a tent at 11am, in time for some yoga and soy milk before getting on the rock!
Lance Hadfield LINKS:
Lance is Stone Age’s “original employee” and has been involved with the gym since its creation. Together with Bryan Pletta and Cristina Radu, Lance turned a paper-model idea into New Mexico’s premier climbing gym. Long before the inception of Stone Age, Lance was busy establishing new climbing areas in Colorado and New Mexico. Still in search of the perfect line, Lance actively climbs, competes and visits new crags with every chance he gets. When he’s not hanging off a cliff, scaling a ladder, or coaching talented climbers of all ages, Lance can be found pounding the pavement on his road bike or chasing after his two daughters Nyah and Misha on Rocky Mountain adventures.
Lee Brinckerhoff LINKS:
Born and raised in the SF Say Area Lee first dabbled in climbing at a county fair in California in 1989. It took several years before he made it back to climbing, swimming and playing a lot of soccer along the way. In 1996 he moved out to Colorado to attend college. While in school Lee climbed all over Colorado and the southwest, also hitting the popular California crags on trips between school and home. Lee moved to Albuquerque in 2002 and has been a fixture at Stone Age ever since. Between fits of working, remodeling, cycling and playing Mr. Mom he manages to get out and do his share of climbing. Some of Lee’s favorite areas are Tuolumne Meadows, Bishop, Sandias, Red River Gorge, The Grampians, Ceuse and Rodellar. Lee’s main goals in climbing are to give back to the climbing community by contributing good new routes of all levels and to remain a well rounded climber.
Levi Kallio LINKS:
More and more often I find myself down at the climbing gym, not because I’m on shift, but because my passion for climbing is growing exponentially. One type of climbing I really want to get into is traditional climbing. I remember when I first started climbing I came to the gym almost every day until I broke my arm… but soon after I was back at it. Now about 7 months after I began climbing I’m still here more and more and I intend to keep climbing for the rest of my life, it’s not just addicting, it’s a way of life.
Maggie Hurt LINKS:
Inside the indoor walls of climbing you can find me trying to keep the mats and bathrooms clean, adding a friendly smile behind the front desk and helping out with the C-team. On the outside of things, you can find me running in the Bosque, hiking up to Palomas, snow sliding in the winter, playing ultimate frisbee, going to music shows (and bars) and spending as much time as possible with my magic man and our dog, Doche. It is a pleasure working in an environment where everyone is inspired to work together, get along and have a great time doing it. Cheers to you all and send that positive energy out there!
Marc Ripperger LINKS:
A native to the plains of Iowa Marc transferred to New Mexico to further pursue his outdoor passions. Marc has guided and climbed from the towers of the desert southwest to the peaks of South America. His love for rock and alpine climbing and mountaineering has taken him to the big walls of Yosemite, Sandstone Towers of Utah, Alpine country of the Rocky Mountains, High Sierras, North Cascades, Cordillera Blanca: Peru, and Volcanoes of Mexico and Ecuador. Marc is passionate about instructing and educating climbers in both an indoor and outdoor setting. Marc currently is pursuing his AMGA Rock and Alpine Guide certification and holds a single pitch instructor and Aspirant Rock Guide certification with the AMGA. When not climbing Marc spends time eating sushi, drawing, and trying to relax after a long trip.
Matt Moore LINKS:
Matt's maniacal devotion to climbing began 7 years ago in his native state of Colorado. As a recent graduate of Adams State College in Alamosa Colorado, he made sure not to let school get in the way of his education while climbing and traveling across the country. Currently, this AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor is enjoying the many world class crags surrounding his new home in Albuquerque.
Morgan McLain LINKS:
I am an avid penguin enthusiast. My house is filled with penguins, shoes, and piles of books. I love to cook and bake. I'm currently working on mustering up the courage to go climbing outside, so for now I'm enjoying the padded, climate controlled environment of the gym. During the semester I'm a librarian on campus, it keeps me close to books. I spend a fair amount of time hanging out on my porch with my dogs, listening to good jazz or Sinatra and drinking good scotch or whiskey.
Nick Vandiver LINKS:
I am psyched to be alive in such wild times on this earth where I will see an abundance of changes which includes maybe seeing someone boulder V20 hehehe. I thrive on helping others in positive ways and offering myself of service, being in the outdoors as much as possible and traveling the world in pursuit of beautiful dreams.
Page Brown LINKS:
Rock climbing has been Page’s passion since age 10 when she started climbing with her Dad. Page could be considered one of Team Mojo’s “original athletes” as she grew up climbing with Albuquerque legends Cody Roth and Jon Cardwell, and trained under Lance Hadfield’s careful watch. At age 11 she began competing in the Junior Competition Climbing Association, currently known as USA Climbing and traveled all over the world competing at the national and international level. Some of Page’s favorite climbing areas include The Enchanted Tower, Ten Sleep, Maple Canyon, and The Pond. When she’s not climbing or coaching Team Mojo’s Varsity athletes, Page can be found running, cycling, sock knitting, spending time with her family, and of course, filling out endless applications for medical school! Someday, Page hopes to climb in Europe at the famed areas of Céüse, Fontainebleau and Rodellar.
Terence Shelly LINKS:
I’ve been climbing in the gym since I was in third grade so about 13 years now. I still remember pulling tire shreds out of my shoes. Even though I have spent so much time in the gym, I plan to spend just as much time outdoors. I love all aspects of this sport, from bouldering to sport, indoor to outdoor and the mind game of it all. My passions lie in the film and digital media, but my goal in life is to live it. I’m an avid outdoorsman and tend to enjoy all aspects of nature. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’m a hippie, but I do own a VW van. Music and art are what feed my soul and climbing is what clears my mind. I am always looking for a new challenge and a few whippers to go along with it.
