Eldorado Canyon
West World
West Ridge
Cloud 9
Rincon Boulders
Physical Boulders
The FreightTrain
Hazard County

The FlatIrons
Elephant Rock
Terrain Boulders
The Ghetto
Satellite Boulders
The Gutter

Boulder Canyon
Dome Boulder
The Patio
The Strip Mine
The Clock Tower

Lyons/St. Vrain
Big Elk Meadows
Dragon's Den
Lion's Den
North Shore
Ape City
Elysium

Mike Banuelos
 late August, 2005

FRB: Full Name?

Mike: Michael Chase Rudolph Banuelos, but most people call me Mike.

FRB: Age:?

Mike: 23.

FRB: Weight:?

Mike: 155.

FRB: Height:?

Mike: 5'8".

FRB: Ape Index:?

Mike: Homo Erectus.

FRB: How did you get into climbing, Mike?

Mike: My roots are in Colorado Springs (the Garden, Ute Valley, Ute Pass) and luckily I had a really strong, motivating friend who got me psyched. What's up, Fruh?

FRB: What brings you to Boulder?

Mike: Mostly Climbing with a little school tucked in there.

FRB: Who do you climb with?

Mike: The Elm Street Crew (Andy Mann & Nick Johnson), Adrian, Balinski and anyone who will inspire and motivate me to push myself.

FRB: Where do you like to go?

Mike: I'm very partial to the great granite we have in Colorado. I love Ute Pass which is located just outside of Colorado Springs, awesome granite! But The Poudre and Chaos are amazing.

FRB: How hard do you climb?

Mike: In my personal climbing journey, I am climbing the hardest I ever have. But in relative, real world terms, not that hard-somewhere between V0-V10. Hardest send thus far is Bloody Arete V8.

FRB: How do you train?

Mike: Working at The Spot, I am at the gym a lot. I incorporate circuits, campassing, some lifting and just climb constantly.

FRB: How did you get affiliated with FRB?

Mike: I answered a personal ad in the classifieds, I believe it said something to the effect- Looking for SM who likes long walks on the beach, climbing, and writing. The rest is history... just joking.

FRB: What do you do for FRB?

Mike: I arrange letters together to form words, then put those words in such a succession as to create an experience for the reader.

FRB: What do you plan to do with your Journalism degree?

Mike: Being the idealistic 23 year old that I am, I would love to change the face of the media. The vast majority of the media seems to be caught up in sensationalization and writing only what their corporate sponsors allow them to. I would love to really educate Americans/Globe about the pressing issues of our time without The Fox News, big business spin. Sorry for the rant, but on the lighter side I would love to write for a publication such as Climbing or Rock & Ice but I'll probably just end up writing obituaries.

FRB: Do you think a guidebook should be done for
          'sensitive areas', like Chaos and Mtn. Evans?

Mike: No!!!! But I have plenty of "sensitive areas" that need exploring - Sorry, no I don't think guidebooks should be done for these developing areas. I know that people have referenced Hueco in that past but that's just a perfect example of what can happen when an area isn't managed correctly in the preliminary stages. The more mainstream bouldering/climbing gets the more at risk these areas become. If these areas remain "word of mouth" then those who want to go will have to ask around and work a little, not be instantly gratified by a book with pictures and beta, keeping the large majority out of the loop.

FRB: How do you rational being involved with a sport
          that could impact pristine areas like RMNP?

Mike: Well if you've ever been up to RMNP it seems the onslaught of tourists with their 5+ kids are more of a concern, but I believe in personal responsibility. If you are a climber who truly loves the sport and these beautiful, pristine places we are lucky enough to use-you will pad lightly, pack out everything you packed in, eliminate tick marks after use and make sure other climbers are adhering to such protocol. If everyone adopted this attitude, I believe we as a climbing community could make our impact considerably smaller.

FRB: What is your opinion on competition climbing ?

Mike: I climb because I love to do it. The movement, the feeling, the beautiful places I come in contact with. I guess I've never really had the desire.

FRB: Thanks for the interview, Mike.

Mike: thank you.

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