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Sterling Athletes Team
Bayard Russell Jr
Athlete Bio
Name: Bayard Russell Jr
DOB: April 16
How did you get started climbing? I started barefoot and alone, muckling my way up wide cracks on little cliffs in Pawtuckaway State Park in southern NH. That lead to getting some Boreal Aces, grinding up some chalkboard chalk and doing even more ridiculous things. Eventually some wiser partners intervened and steered me towards more conventional tactics.
How old were you when you started? I was 19.
Who or what inspired you to start climbing? It was a poorly conceived, sneaker clad solo up part the Flatirons in Boulder CO. It was accidental, I had a blast, but it was inevitable; I liked being outside and I liked climbing stuff.
Who served as your inspiration in life? My parents. They are honest, incredibly thoughtful and caring people who keep things in perspective. They know that people are the most important part of life.
What was your first outdoor climb? Part of one of the Flatirons in Boulder, CO.
What do you do when you’re not climbing? Rest, work around my house, hunt grouse, ski a little (but poorly), and laugh a lot with my wife and our friends.
Any training advice or suggestions? My training regime is a motivation based wave. With all the guiding I do, and the physical labor of carpentry in the off-season, rest is a coveted commodity. I find if I put off climbing days until I’m just about to explode, climb till I can’t anymore, and then rest again until I can’t do that anymore, I do my best. This is a highly scientific regimen that works best for underemployed framing carpenters, concrete contractors and the like.
What do you feel is your best accomplishment, outside of climbing? Marrying my wife, Anne.
What do you feel is your best accomplishment within climbing? Managing to laugh my way up scary new routes, like the Bossman and Endangered Species in the Adirondacks, with great friends. Just having fun.
Favorite quote? “I didn’t come her to climb grass. I am an Alpinist!” An undisclosed friend upon finding the glaciers not where they were supposed to be in Peru.
If you could have 1 superpower what would it be? Flying. Definitely flying.
If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be? (no wishing for more wishes)
1. A flexible, 2 day a week, well paying job.
2. Lots of free plane tickets.
3. Someone to take car of my cats and keep the woodstove going while we are away.
What was your favorite childhood cartoon? GI Joe
Shameless self-promotion –
www.cathedralStyle.com, www.whitemountainrockandice.com
Photos - www.anneskidmore.com
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