Sterling Athletes Team

Janet Bergman

Name: Janet Bergman

DOB: January 7 1980

How did you get started climbing?

My big brother Andy finally gave into my begging and brought me along to Hinckley Park in Ohio where there is some high quality (really, it is!) sandstone top roping and bouldering. I fell in love with it and when he went off to college I stole all his gear, dragged some friends out, and we kept teaching ourselves. It's amazing how many climbers I've met over the years who are originally from Ohio.

How old were you when you started?

About 15

Who or what inspired you to start climbing?

I have always been active, so it was just another thing I was really lucky to get to try. I think I stuck with it (read: got so addicted) because it fed so many aspects of who I am.

Who served as your inspiration in life?

All of my family and friends are constantly inspiring me

What was your first outdoor climb?

One of those climbs at Hinckley.  I got lost in the enjoyment of the climbing itself on the way up, but I remember getting to the top and being told to lean back on the rope to be lowered without any understanding of how it worked. After that I learned how it all worked.

What do you do when you're not climbing?

The biggest project is working on the gardens, cabin, and soon the house, of a patch of land I live on with my boyfriend Freddie in Madison NH. For work I am a development consultant for nonprofit organizations, and that keeps me really busy when I am not on expeditions. Other hobbies are running, yoga, skiing, horseback riding.

Any training advice or suggestions?

My biggest fault is being too driven, so I am trying to hone my time management in order to thoroughly relish every moment of recreation (which for me includes training) and work, and chill out some in between too. I also try to climb and train with different people - each partner brings different strengths (and weaknesses!) out.

What do you feel is your best accomplishment, outside of climbing? Striving to be a good daughter, sister, partner and friend

What do you feel is your best accomplishment within climbing?

I am lucky to still be on the upswing since I am relatively new climber, so I feel like my best accomplishment changes each year, or even each expedition! So most recently it would be going to Newfoundland with my girlfriends to a fjord that had never been climbed in. We didn't do anything extraordinarily hard, but we did a good job picking good lines (and had stellar weather), which meant lots of ground up first free ascents.

Favorite quote?

"We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand - and melting like a snowflake." -Marie B. Ray

If you could have 1 superpower what would it be?

Flying

If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be?

1) Have El Cap in my backyard

2) And Fitzroy down the street

3) And enough time to give my all to all the things I want to give my all to

What was your favorite childhood cartoon?

I can't really remember, but Smurfs and Tom & Jerry come to mind...

Shameless self-promotion

www.splitterville.blogspot.com