CO Mentor/Mentee Matchmaker

Creating a thread to help facilitate the finding of a mentor for mentees - regardless of your level. I've seen a lot of desire for both people looking for mentors and people looking to give back by serving as a mentor - figured having a dedicated place for that makes sense. You're encouraged to +1 the folks you know posting in here that you can vouch for.

MENTEES:

• This is not a place to find a rope gun for a day. This is a place to find a meaningful friendship with someone else, in the process of growing. Whether that looks like upping your performance, expanding your tool set, or just finding your footing and voice in the sport, it's about changing and growing.
• Hold yourself accountable - follow through, commit, be a good partner, communicate your needs and your boundaries, and don't blindly trust your mentor - make sure you actually are understanding what's going on. What matters most is everyone going home at the end of the day.

MENTORS:

• This is not a place for you to find a pack mule for the day. This is an opportunity to continue to grow and develop the sport. This is an opportunity for growth for you as well - this should be a two-way relationship. You have something to gain from everyone you encounter.
• Hold yourself accountable - be responsible, kind, patience, act in good faith and communicate effectively. Respect boundaries and don't recklessly endanger those that are trusting you. You have a heightened level of responsibility here - make sure you're acknowledging and accepting that. What matters most is everyone going home at the end of the day.

Here's a potential template for your post, but feel free to structure it however you'd like. If you see someone you're interested in connecting with, send them a message through their account.

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Name (if not your MP account name):

Role (Mentor/Mentee):

Age, Pronouns:

Climbing experience (specify indoors/outdoors if relevant):

Geographic Location/Targeted Crags:

Availability:

Why I am pursuing this:

What I provide for this:

What I am looking for in a mentor/mentee:

What I am looking to avoid in a mentor/mentee:

Other notes:

Name (if not your MP account name): Tal

Role (Mentor/Mentee): Mentor

Age, Pronouns: 28, He/They/Whatever

Climbing experience (specify indoors/outdoors if relevant): Roughly 6 years of experience climbing. Sport to 5.13, Trad to 5.12, Bouldering to V7, Big Walls, Alpine, 4 years of route development, a bit of ice climbing and dry tooling - I try and dabble in just about everything. No certifications, but have served as a mentor in the route development space in official and unofficial capacities for the last few years

Geographic Location/Targeted Crags: West Denver based, and I climb in CCC, Staunton, and the South Platte most often. NTM a bit in the winter, and sporadically in Eldo/BoCan/Flatties/etc.

Availability: Just weekends for now

Why I am pursuing this: I've gained an unbelievable amount of knowledge, help, and wonderful days out shared with my mentors over the years, and I want to pay it forward. I wouldn't be where I am as a climber, or person, without their patience and guidance. I think it's important that we leave things better than we found them, and that applies to our fellow climbers within our community as well. Additionally, I've learned something from every mentor role I've ever served in, so this is a big opportunity for me to grow and improve as well.

What I provide for this: General enthusiasm, a nauseating amount of climbing media and local climbing area knowledge, and a menagerie of MP shitposts to sift through. Realistically, the main thing I can offer that the average person may not be able to is route development knowledge and opportunities, but I'm happy to provide whatever I can, regardless if it's route development related or not.

What I am looking for in a mentor/mentee: Follow through, active communication, and a safe belay. Ideally you'll already be a good lead belayer and know how to clean an anchor outdoors - but if not, feel free to still reach out and we can get there. Be passionate. Have things you're excited about and ask to do them. I've got my hand in a lot of pots, so it's a bit of a "hungry mouths get fed" situation - if you reach out regularly, we'll get out regularly. If you're looking for me to initiate opportunities, it probably won't happen. Be honest with me and yourself, under promising and over delivering is better than the inverse.

What I am looking to avoid in a mentor/mentee: I'm open to most things, the only thing I don't have much patience for is bad/nonexistant communication, being a shitty person, or constantly being late. I don't care how hard you do or don't climb, what your resume looks like, etc. We're just out here to have fun!

Other notes: Huge bonus points if you provide baked goods/snacks/are willing to drive occasionally

Name: Lindsay

Role (Mentor/Mentee):mentee

Age, Pronouns: 23 she her hers

Climbing experience (specify indoors/outdoors if relevant):

Outdoors: top rope up to 11b, sport lead/belay up to 10d, multipitch following and lead for sport (did 7 or 8 pitch at devils head and a couple 4 pitch climbs elsewhere), follow multipitch trad, kinda know how to place gear ish. Not the most efficient at cleaning or anchor building for sport routes. Would like to learn about gear anchors and eventually feel comfy lead trad. Also just want to get better outside. Current mentality for leading is little scaredy. Would like to be generally more knowledgeable and efficient about basic self rescue scenarios, switching leads on multipitch etc.

I’ve bouldered outside before but not really tried

Indoor:

V4/v5 on really good day for bouldering. I don’t boulder enough. Looking to try and do some more board climbing 

lead up to 11c/d with falls. Flashed some 11a/b on lead. Will top rope general in 11s and low 12s falling a bunch on good day

Geographic Location/Targeted Crags: 

south Denver generally. I climb at movement gyms indoors mainly golden or Englewood 

outdoors I like CCC, devils head, Staunton, north table if weather bad, bocan if have whole day

Availability:

Fri sat and sun

Why I am pursuing this:

Listed above + looking for more folks to climb with

What I provide for this:

Basic knowledge to help you send stuff. Maybe new friend 

What I am looking for in a mentor/mentee:

Trusted climbing partner. Semi consistent but not avail every weekend 

What I am looking to avoid in a mentor/mentee:

Name (if not your MP account name): Mike Kubes

Role (Mentor/Mentee): Both – Mentor/Mentee

Age, Pronouns: 35 – He/Him

Climbing experience (specify indoors/outdoors if relevant): I’ve been climbing for a little over 10 years. Spent a few seasons working as an SPI, have taken the Rock Guide Course, hold a Diploma in Mountain Medicine, but shifted gears to pursue academics instead of guiding. I feel like I’ve never been a “hard” climber, usually leading in the .11’s sport, would like to break into the .12’s sport climbing and currently lead trad up to 5.9ish. I have done some route development, love moving efficiently over big terrain but also enjoy single pitch days. 

Geographic Location/Targeted Crags: I’m based in Fort Collins. The Poudre Canyon is my main climbing area, mostly due to its proximity. St Varain, Boulder Canyon, Estes, Lumpy and Vedauwoo are other spots I frequent.

Availability: Variable. I work a rotating schedule of weekends and weekdays, plus I’m also in school.

Why I am pursuing this: Looking to expand my pool of partners. Meet new folks. Share knowledge and learn from others. I’d like to continue to get out on a consistent basis, while meeting others for some larger objectives I have planned later this summer.

What I provide for this: A variety of formal and informal knowledge/training related to climbing. Patience and empathy. A passion for climbing and being outside.

What I am looking for in a mentor/mentee: I’m not too concerned about what grades you climb or experience level. Communication while climbing and planning climbing outings is an important factor to me. Empathy and understanding. Attentive belays.

What I am looking to avoid in a mentor/mentee: Poor communication. Frequent last-minuet bailing. Inattentive or unsafe belaying.

Other notes: N/A

Name (if not your MP account name): Aaron

Role (Mentor/Mentee): either

Age, Pronouns: 30, male

Climbing experience (specify indoors/outdoors if relevant):

Redpoint sport up to 5.11c, trad up to 5.10b, bouldering to V5 outdoor. I have a fair amount of adventure climbing experience with 30+ desert towers, moderate Black Canyon and alpine routes, etc. I'm not anybody's idea of a crusher and am pretty conservative about taking falls, but I have a pretty broad base of climbing experience (including aid climbing!) I am a pretty efficient multipitch climber, although there is always room to improve.

Geographic Location/Targeted Crags:

Anywhere on the Western Slope - Montrose, Ouray, Telluride, Gunnison, Grand Junction 

Availability: weekends - I work a lot during the week

Why I am pursuing this: honestly because it's always a struggle funding partners around here. Once you get away from bouldering which I don't really do these days, there aren't overwhelming numbers of local outdoor climbers stoked on the awesome and unique climbing that Western Colorado has to offer. I'm open to connect with people who are just getting their feet wet and are excited to explore the local climbing. At the end of the day I just like getting outside, it doesn't have to push my limits to be worthwhile.

What I provide for this: lots of knowledge on local climbing areas, willingness to go to obscure and off the beaten path areas, safety and efficiency for a range of climbing styles. I can get psyched on projecting a route, but I very much dislike pushy or aggressive people out at the crag.

What I am looking for in a mentor/mentee:

Communication, relaxed vibes

What I am looking to avoid in a mentor/mentee:

Overselling your abilities. We've all probably done it as beginners, but setting someone up for a unpleasant surprise is never a good way to start a climbing relationship. Lacking judgement for your personal safety. It's always better to bail/say no than getting over your head.

Other notes:

Name (if not your MP account name): Mike 

Role (Mentor/Mentee): Mentee

Age, Pronouns: 37, he/him

Climbing experience (specify indoors/outdoors if relevant): I’ve climbed consistently indoors for 8 or so years – mostly top rope, but proficient leading as well. Generally climbing 5.11, though more like 5.10 on lead. Pushing into 5.12 indoors on top rope.  Limited outdoor experience, exclusively top-rope. 

Geographic Location/Targeted Crags: Denver, but happy to drive wherever.

Availability: Weekends. I’m also off every other Friday. Potentially some weekdays in the late afternoon/evening for crags close to Denver. 

Why I am pursuing this: I just moved to Denver and am looking to develop connections for consistent climbing and a broader community. As most of my experience is indoors, I want/need to gain knowledge to expand my climbing outdoors – willing to try any style. Eventually, I’d like to transfer that knowledge to others as well. 

What I provide for this: General willingness to learn and enthusiasm for the sport. I’m happy to drive, provide snacks and cold drinks, and buy gear as needed. 

What I am looking for in a mentor/mentee: Individuals who prioritize safety. Other than that, just be cool. 

What I am looking to avoid in a mentor/mentee: Don’t be a jerk? Seems like a reasonable request.