How long have you been climbing?
About 3 and a half years

So what have you been up to lately?
Well let's see...I'm graduating from UNH this spring ('02) so its been a big mix of keeping up with classes, climbing, work...and also daydreaming and planning for what happens after May.

Any current projects, spring break, this summer?
I tend to find stuff I wanna do everywhere I go, so no, not any specific projects at this time.

Summer...big plans! Headed to the Wind River range in Wyoming with some friends and a pack of goats (to help out with equipment transport). It'll be a month of big wall climbing, exploring, fishing, and pure fun. After that, who knows?

Left: Janet on Waimea, 5.10d, at Rumney NH. Photograph by Tim Kemple/www.timkemple.com.

How do you feel about climbing around all of these testosterone driven males?
Well, I guess I have to pick my battles...and other times, just roll my eyes. Actually, climbing with guys has made for an energetic, supportive, fun climbing environment, and has really pushed me to do alot that I never would have. I've always been psyched to climb with anyone who wants to have fun, no matter what they are 'driven' by.

What's your favorite types of climbing?
I think I am a tradster at heart...but bouldering has been a huge part of climbing for me recently. I am continually amazed at the scope of bouldering to be found here in New England and the technique to be drawn from the practice of it. And the community of boulderers here in New England seems unbeatable.

Who/what has really inspired you?
I've learned from the atmosphere of the bouldering community here how easy it is to be inspired. For me, all it takes is, for example, seeing someone really give their all and fully believe....in order to top out there first V2! Also, a more dreamy jawdropping thought provoking inspiration for me was seeing El Cap...and knowing what people like Lynn Hill have achieved there. To me it also symbolizes places like it that are not so well known, and yet to be explored.

Favorite route, problem, climbing area?
I'm not too well traveled yet and not one for favorites but I'll try...route: rap echo (rumney) or wheat thin (yosemite) problem: lumber jack, ball doctor (pway) area: the new, pawtuck,

What is something about yourself that you think most people don't know?
I hope to get together with a few friends in the near future and create some kind of climber's hostel/ school/ farm...and see where it leads. (I haven't even talked to you about that yet!)

What are your thoughts on having a relationship with another climber?
It would be pretty hard not to date a climber right now I suppose. Whenever there's time, I wanna be climbing so I hope that he'll feel the same!

Anything to vent about, need to get off your mind?
Yeah. Why can't it always be fall?

Tips for other climbing chicas on how to improve?
Hmmm. If you get the opportunity, try to climb with lots of different folks, of different climbing styles, age, gender, ability level. Its an easy and fun way to learn new techniques, try new things, and be well rounded.

Lessons learned?
Always have fun. Take risks, but trust your instincts. Believe.

Final thoughts?
Anyone know how to milk goats?

"When the pursuit of natural harmony is a shared journey, great heights can be attained." -Lynn Hill

Left: Janet climbing at the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. Photograph by Tim Kemple/www.timkemple.com.

All material copyright ©1999-2002 newenglandbouldering.com. All rights reserved.