Sierra
Sierra is the director of the Warehouse Rock Gym which means she’s kept pretty busy planning fun events, coordinating volunteers and writing the schedule. Her favorite part of the job is meeting all the great climbers that come in, and working with such a great group of committed climbers!
She migrated to Olympia seven years ago to attend Evergreen and has made the most of this amazing area, majoring in marine biology and spending many hours hiking, cycling and climbing all across the Northwest. Her favorite crags are Frenchman Coulee, Leavenworth and the Tenino quarry where she has spent many a beautiful summer evening on the sharp end.
Apart from being outside, she really loves getting new climbers addicted to the thrill of climbing, and loves to teach technique and lead classes too!
You can expect her smile to disarm the most rigid of heart, and her kind words to leave you smiling in return. Be warned… you cannot remain bitter in her presence.
David
David started climbing at the Warehouse when it first opened, but climbing didn’t really take hold until he moved to Boulder, CO for a year. After exploring the world class bouldering and climbing of RMNP, Boulder Canyon, and Eldo he returned to Washington. The ten minute drive to Flagstaff Mountain was replaced by the two hour trek to Gold Bar and the three hour marathon to Leavenworth. Dry sunny skies were traded for nine months of rain, and that champagne powder turned to a nice blend of heavy snow and a layer of ice.
Even with all that, David loves living in the Pacific Northwet, err Northwest, and experiencing everything it has to offer. Whether it is hiking through the mossy forests of Index or enjoying the sunny slopes of Icicle Canyon, there is really no better place to be.
So get out and explore it!!
And if it just so happens that the entire state is caught up in a torrential downpour, David will be at the Warehouse pulling on plastic and gearing up for the next season. Come on in, and hope to see you out there!!
Derik
Hi Everyone! My name is Derik Renfroe, aka ‘Short Necked Giraffe’ aka ‘Send Ferry’ aka ‘Psycho Zombie’! I started climbing here at the Warehouse Rock Gym about four years ago, and I have been setting routes for almost two and a half years.
When I’m not at the gym you can find me up in Gold Bar, Leavenworth or developing boulders around Olympia! Ask anyone who has climbed at WRG and they will tell you how close the climbing community is around here. I’ve met some of the most inspirational and kind hearted people at this gym.
My personal goal for climbing isn’t about my stats on 8a.nu (mainly because I don’t have an 8a account and don’t plan on getting one). To me it’s more about beign outside with awesome friends that share the same addiction that I have. I guess my philosophy towards climbing is really just “low balls and high numbers!!!”
Chas
Chas started climbing with his uncle when he was just 12 years old. Fast forward 18 years and you have a person who is highly skilled and well versed in all disciplines of climbing. Climbing has taken him all over the world to areas such as Patagonia, Greece, Spain, Canada and Thailand. He has a positive attitude that can be quite contagious and an excitement for anything outdoors. One of Chas’ strong points is his ability to articulate and teach climbing to all levels of climbers and is available any time for individual or group instruction.
Chas was born and raised in Gig Harbor, Washington and spent his summers living off the grid on a remote island in British Columbia, Canada. He was raised without a television for most of his life and spent a good part of his child hood climbing trees and making driftwood forts on the beach. Through out his youth Chas spent the majority of his time in the mountains snowboarding, and made the National Snowboard team when he was 17. After graduation from high school he moved down to California to drive snow cats grooming runs at mountain resorts in the Eastern Sierras and Lake Tahoe. It was then that climbing really started to infiltrate his life.
Chas moved back up to Washington in 2008 to attend Evergreen and has been climbing at the Warehouse ever since and is an excellent addition to the staff. He is always looking for an enthusiastic climbing or some to go get fresh pow turns with.
Drew
Drew is a Sagittarius that likes long walks in the rain, Carly Simon songs and piña coladas. He’s also a USAC Level Two certified route setter, which makes him really good at creating fun problems for all you folks.
In his off time, he likes to get up early, walk far and complain about how today’s kids blah blah 20 miles in the snow grumble grumble UPHILL BOTH WAYS!!He’s been a staple of our route setting crew for three years now, and joined our paid staff in September as Head Routesetter and Rope Monkey.
Be prepared for intricately organized routes with perfect sequence, for Drew is a true master setter.
Laney
Laney brings a friendly attitude along side an impressive brain to our team. She has been climbing for two years now and is addicted!
From ski bumming in Montana to her recent stint in the Mojave Desert her wandering ways have lead her up to Olympia and the great community found at WRG. Propagating native plants by day and climbing by night, her love of the outdoors spans a variety of venues. If you are looking for someone to climb, hike, or go birding with, Laney is your gal. Always willing to help out and encourage new climbers, say hi to her the next time you are in!
