Banner Aten

Age: 32, Years climbing: 11, Hometown: Sandy, UT, Favorite product: KATANA WMN'S

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

Clip bolts and stack pads. I don't trust myself to plug cams and I freeze in slightly chilled weather. So ice is out, too.

How long have you been an athlete with La Sportiva?

Under the radar for a few years, but this is my first year with an "official" title.

What are some of your lifetime climbing goals?

To stop dilly dallying my way through climbing. To truly push myself to my own limit and see where it takes me.

Do you have a claim to fame?

I'm kind of a Big Deal. Kidding, kind of. No, not really. Being a great coach and having two of the coolest kids in the world.

Do you have any vices?

Midnight snacks! The best, Nutella on saltines. Mmmm...

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

I love the movement. As a coach/instructor I enjoy working with climbers of varying ability helping them improve their skills and see them progress further in their own climbing.

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

The stillness of my thoughts when I'm focussed on a route or a boulder problem.

What is your favorite movie?

Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Birdcage, Top Gun, Iron Giant, Open Range (just to name a few).

Do you have any nicknames? Explain:

Bino, Nino, Wee bc... although I'm not explaining them to you! ;)

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

I never go without sleep, I can fall asleep anywhere (loud concerts, concrete floor, upright chairs, the dirt) it doesn't matter).

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

Oregon only because I still consider myself an Oregonian after 11 years of living away.

What did you have for lunch yesterday?

Umm... I'm pretty sure it was food.

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

The words: "Do you want to know the truth?"

What really scares you about climbing?

Self promoting, cameras and people watching me climb (hence why none of you know who I am).

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

"Seriously?"

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

If only Portland, Oregon had the Utah cliffs.

Have no food or have no gasoline?

No gasoline, any fool can walk... and if you have no legs, get yourself a skateboard and scoot yourself around on that.

Do you wish you had sexier feet?

No, I'm proud of my climbers feet. But, I do like an occasional pedicure to help the ugly factor during the summer.