Chris Hamman – Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Climbing

Chris Hamman, Program Director at Santa Barbara Rock Gym and climbing coach for the Anacapa climbing class, explained the appeal of the sport, various types of climbing and his personal experiences as a climber. Chris, who has been climbing for 10 years, said that it drives his life, including fitness, nutrition and vacations. The sport develops mental toughness, he says, as climbers persist in challenging situations.  This has helped him in his professional life as well. Chris described the three main types of climbing: rock climbing, ice climbing and mountaineering. Climbing has taken Chris across the United States and the world, allowing him to work with interesting people and find his place in a community of climbers wherever he wanders. His advice to emerging climbers: “You can’t dabble, you have to dive in!”