Tony Yao

Age: 35, Years climbing: 15, Hometown: Boulder, CO, Favorite product: Solution

Do you clip bolts, plug cams, stack pads, or crush ice?

Everything but crushing ice. Ice is too cold.

How long have you been an athlete with La Sportiva?

Three years.

What are some of your lifetime climbing goals?

5.14 baby! I climbed one last year, but realized it wasn't "real". Going to Hawaii as soon as I do though.

Do you have a claim to fame?

Creating sand bagged routes at the Boulder Rock Club.

Do you have any vices?

Beer and dark chocolate.

What makes you tick as a climber and in the real world?

Traveling the world to check out new climbing areas is a wonderful way to live.

What drives you to climb? The money? The groupies? The fame? What?

All of it! Rollin' in the phat uh eurovan? Lot's groupies! I mean nobody. Maybe football.

What is your favorite movie?

Deliverance! Just kidding. Not sure but I like Sci-fi.

Do you have any nicknames? Explain:

t-nut. Name created by the boys from Eldorado Wall Company transferred to the Boulder Rock Club.

What’s the longest you’ve gone without sleep? Why?

I was in a 24hr adventure race back in the 90's. Fortunately, we did pretty well, so I didn't have to wait 24hrs before I slept, but it was a long day.

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?

Texas. Made in Taiwan, raised in Texas. Yeehah!

What did you have for lunch yesterday?

peanut butter which should also probably be another nickname.

If you could hook up a thought monitor to your head, would you see pictures, hear words or would music be playing?

Definitely words. I am a constant stream of self-talk.

What really scares you about climbing?

Injuries. I hate them because they keep me from climbing. Evil Injuries!

If your life was made into a movie, what would it be called?

The life and mis-adventures of t-nut.

Where would you live if it could be anywhere in the world?

Spain. I love limestone and would be very at home in a country full of that beautiful rock. Need to learn Spanish.

Have no food or have no gasoline?

No food. Need gas to get to the crag.

Do you wish you had sexier feet?

Nope. I love my Fred Flinstone feet.