To some, it may seem as if Joe Kinder has just burst onto the scene with his recent sends of Dr. No, Parallel Universe, and Supernova, all 5.14s at Rumney, but to those who know him, Joe has been climbing strong for quite some time now. His love of climbing and super-positive attitude have just now started to produce some eye-catching results. Behind it all, Joe is one of the most fun people to climb with, quick to make you laugh, and even quicker to provide support and encouragement on whatever route you are working on. We recently caught up with Joe before he leaves on his summer roadtrip out west. 

Nice job on the recent spree of 14s. What do you credit your recent surge in difficulty to?
I have always believed that if you hang with people that are stronger than you then you will improve. I used to skateboard a lot when I was younger. All my friends were older than me and way better at skating. I got pretty good at skating pretty fast once I started hanging out with them. Dave  [Graham] and Gomez [Luke Parady] have opened doors and possibilities for me. They have encouraged me and pushed me. It kind of sucks not being in Portland all the time [Joe is home in New Hampshire for the summer], because I am pretty much running on self-motivation as of now. Not that I have any problem with self-motivating, but it is easier to stay really psyched with others that are really psyched.

What routes are next on your hit list?
I really want to clean house at Rumney. I want to do all the routes there... ALL THE ROUTES. The next route I really want to do is China Beach. That thing is ill. Absolutely the raddest climb I have ever been on. It is insane!

I heard rumors that you climb everyday, is this true?
I really don't climb everyday, but I do climb a lot. I just love to grab holds and put my feet on the rock and climb. AAHHHH!! I want to climb NOW!!!

Are you worried about getting injured?
I hate injuries. That is the biggest fear of a rock climber. I am not worried about injuries. I think that I am pretty smart on how to avoid them.

Do you follow any particular training regime?
No training for me man. I hate that shit. I think I get a bunch of training out of climbing. I truly enjoy a rad gym session at the Maine Rock Gym or Vertical Dreams, just as much as a rad bouldering session at Pawtuckaway. I really don't think of that as training though...Just having a fun ass time.

Rumney is your home crag, what is the future there? Are there more projects to be done, or is it getting climbed out?
Rumney is my home crag, and a beautiful place it is (I hate the bugs though). There are some rad projects there. Ward has this one that I am dying to climb. It is really bouldery and stunning looking. There are some places that Dave and I have checked out that pose some dope looking shit to bolt. I really don't know how hard they would be but they are phat looking. Rumney is definitely not tapped out. Ward, or Sprague, or Erik Mushial will probably find some cool new route to bolt...they always do.

What is your opinion of the current New England scene?
Ah the NE scene. I don't know what I think of it. I have mixed feelings. I really like the scene at Rumney though. I love to chill with the older pioneers of Rumney and I like the mob scene at Lincoln Woods too. It is all good to me.

Now that you have cracked the 14 barrier, are you going to move out west, or is New England your home?
I have a plan to finish my next year up at Maine College of Art and then transfer out west. I hate to say it, but the west has more to offer.

Where are you and Gomez going for your summer trip?
Gomez and I are going to meet up with the Squirrel Master (Dave) and climb around Salt Lake City for a few weeks and then go to Rifle for a while. Probably a month. Then go back to Salt Lake City for the trade show so I can meet some of my sponsors and to party and climb.

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