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Sterling Athletes Team
Lisa Hathaway
Athlete Bio
Lisa Hathaway is a long time “desert rat” who has been climbing in and developing routes in the Moab since the 1990s. A wildlife biologist as well as enthusiastic climber, she takes seriously her dual role as an advocate both for the sport she loves and the endangered species she studies and helps to protect, particularly when the two risk conflict. Lisa has been a Sterling Rope Athlete for many years, joining the team in 1997. She is also a guide and climbing instructor, participating in such events as “Goddesses on the Rocks”, HERA, “The Red Rock Rendez-Vous”, “Splitter Camps” and “CHOCS: Chicks on Cracks”, of which she is co-founder and director.
Name: Lisa Hathaway
DOB: October 20th….
How did you get started climbing? As a high school student, I had two friends who had taken up climbing. They were obsessed! Completely intrigued by stories of their adventures, I would ask them to take me on their next foray into the mountains of New Hampshire. Alas, that was never to be. But it planted the seed. I started pestering other friends and co-workers at LL Bean to take me out and purchased an incredibly uncomfortable webbing harness and shoes. A year after graduating from college I moved to Moab, armed with one cam and a belay device determined to “be a climber”. An arguably naïve approach, but it worked! Thanks in large to the warm and generous climbing community in Moab, particularly the NPS friends I made, who took me in as a sensei!
How old were you when you started? 25? I think….
Who or what inspired you to start climbing? (see above)
Who served as your inspiration in life? That list is long and broad! In life: Ghandi, Rosa Parks, my grandparents… In climbing: Sonya Paspal, a little known badassss desert rat I climbed with back in the day who made it seem normal, not unexpected, though we were scant in numbers, for women to crush at the crag and author FAs. Jimmy Dunn, Linus Platt and Kyle Copeland who put the reigns in my hands. Noah Bigwood and Eric Decaria in their insatiable quests for exploration and development of new areas, quality crags and killer lines.
What was your first outdoor climb? I went top-roping at Portland Headlight! We’d have to time it perfectly to not encounter the routes under water! In hindsight, I guess that jump-started my affection for sharp crimps…
What do you do when you’re not climbing? Oh, lots!…lots of things to perpetuate my insatiable “Peter Pan Syndrome”. I love playing music. My current favorite non-climbing activity is my disco/party/dance band “Sparkle Motion”—an evolution from a long and very windy path from several jam bands I’ve been in with my long-time friend and keyboard player extraordinaire, Erin. We also have an acoustic band. I still figure skate whenever possible (my childhood sport), practice yoga, ski…basically I have a hard time sitting still and staying home. And the condition of my yard confirms that.
Any training advice or suggestions? Again, there is a lot. I have an athlete blog at the 5.10 website which will frequently delve into training tips for we of the less mutant category…But the most important tip is more psychological…climb with supportive and reliable people, around whom you enjoy being and ruthlessly asses and address your weaknesses! For me, strength is my weakness, so in order to continually improve I MUST integrate push-ups, pull-ups, front levers (assisted of course!) and “flies” into my weekly routine—even at the cost of something more fun or when exhausted.
What do you feel is your best accomplishment, outside of climbing? I have always felt my friendships are my greatest achievements. I look around me and am amazed at the caliber of people who choose to call me friend.
What do you feel is your best accomplishment within climbing? In climbing, we often think of our hardest climbs as the best accomplishments. But I feel most proud of more humble “sends” such as establishing FAs and particularly those for the newer climbers. I established a 5.6 bolted route recently that gave me more pride and joy than the 5.12s I had previously equipped. I love providing some tid bit or mere encouragement that allows some one to push themselves farther than they thought possible and to see that “a-ha” look of delight on his face that follows.
Favorite quote? I have many…it varies depending on my mood! Here are a few…”Everything is illuminated in the light of the past,” (Everything is Illuminated), “There’s what’s right and what’s right and ne’er the twain shall meet…” (Raising Arizona), but first and foremost and always on my mind is “An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind” (Ghandi).
If you could have 1 superpower what would it be? To provide regular rain to the desiccated villages in Africa and any other region in the world that struggles to grow food and provide clean drinking water to its people.
If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be? I know this sounds a titch Beauty Pageant-y, but SERIOUSLY, To end world hunger…become a carbon-neutral society/squelch global climate change—a la “Cradle to Cradle”, then send my five-year proj ;-)
What was your favorite childhood cartoon? Cartoons were not really my thing. “Wild Kingdom” was!
Shameless self-promotion –
Coming soon: FiveTen.com—blog: MoabLisa, Please check back later for more details…
Chicks on Cracks: http://www.moabdesertadventures.com/chocs.htm
Sparkle Motion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5eKEh1bmY
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SPARKLE-MOTION-MOAB/55547388892?ref=ts
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