Mike Freischlag
mid May, 2009

FRB: Name?

Mike: Mike Freischlag. Although the variety of pronunciations and nicknames I have acquired over the years are staggering.

FRB: Age?

Mike: 47

FRB: Height/Weight?

Mike: I am a stump. Maybe 5' 8" 175 lbs.

FRB: Location?

Mike: Longmont, CO.

FRB: Ape Index?

Mike: I don't have an ape index. My arms are so short they need to come up with a different classification.

FRB: How did you get into climbing, Mike?

Mike: I was in the Navy in the mid 1980's and had a friend that went to a climbing school. He talked me into going to the New River Gorge. Not knowing any better I wore wrestling shoes. I made it up some easy routes and have been hooked ever since.

FRB: Who were some of your early influences?

Mike: I have been pretty lucky with climbing partners, always been a sub-man for some pretty strong climbers. After leaving the Navy I lived in San Diego for a time and hooked up with a couple older guys that were putting up new routes in Canon Tajo in Baja. I got great experience. Moved to Boulder in 1989. Met and climbed with a whole slew of strong, knowledgeable people. Eric Doub, Kurt Fry, George Sqibb, Mark Rolofson and especially Hank Caylor.

FRB: Favorite partners these days?

Mike: How can you have a 'favorite' partner? I have a group of friends I have known for 15 years or more that I climb with on a regular basis: Pete Zoeller, Trixy Tartasky, Ned and Naomi Harris-Guy, Ryan Fields. Hell, I will climb with just about anyone! I like people, like to meet new people, that is one of the great things about being a climber; the shared experience.

FRB: How did you hook up with Phillip Beningfield?

Mike: I think I first met Phillip Beningfield in Rifle in the early 90's but probably did not start climbing regularly with him until 1995 or so. I think it was around then that I started taking a bigger interest in bouldering. He has always been super psyched to get out and look for new stuff, not only for his guides but for the sense of exploration and adventure.

FRB: You guys have been exploring and putting in problems
         down in Buena Vista and Penitente. Tell us about the
         new bouldering.

Mike: Buena Vista can be kind of hit or miss, there is just a tremendous amount of rock there. However, I would say the Agnes Vail boulder, past the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, is one of the best in that area. Easy access, bullet rock in a beautiful setting. Penitente, what can I say? I love that place. The San Luis Valley is so awesome. So much rock in that area, opportunities to just wander around and look for new things to climb. Some of the rock can be questionable, but when it is good, it's good. Great pocket climbing, a variety of styles. Also Monte Vista, many big boulders there but a long way from the Front Range. Maybe that is a good thing.

FRB:  Where can we find information on
          these problems, Mike?

Mike: Phillip's guides will get you to Penitente and Monte Vista. Sharp End Publishing is supposed to be be publishing his new guides soon that will have updated information and directions. If you go to Salida, stop at Cafe Dawn in downtown Salida and talk to Phillip. I know we both would like to see all the areas to get more traffic. It is not like we want to keep secrets. More information on new places to climb is good, it spreads out impact.

FRB:  You've been developing the Allenspark and
          Pierson Park for years. Tell us about the area
          and some of the problems.

Mike: Easy to get to from the Boulder area, good granite at altitude. Helps to have a 4x4 to access but is approachable on foot. The Allenspark stuff is kind of spread out and can be hard to find but lots of problems of all grades. Pierson Park is special. Higher altitude, a great view of the Diamond, short approach from the car. Problems for the strong but the majority are more moderate, maybe 60 or so problems in all.

FRB: How many first ascents have you done?

Mike:  I don't keep track or keep a scorecard. I know this will offend most people, but I prefer slabs, especially tall ones. Slab climbing plays to my few strengths; footwork and crimping. I just love the feeling of developing new stuff, looking for lines, wandering around in the woods with friends.

FRB: You are known for your slab highball expertise.
         How do you keep it together way off the deck?

Mike: Breathing. Focus. Don't panic. Having the ability to downclimb is key. It will at least get you into a safe fall. Knowing your spotters are competent helps too.

FRB: What are your thoughts on highballing?

Mike: Highballing is not for everybody and should not be taken lightly. 'Highball' is a relative term, anyway. Things I thought were tall when I first started bouldering seem not as scary with more experience and better pads. Just be careful, it sucks to get hurt.

FRB: Do you think toproping and pre-rigging is a
         valid way to climb highballs?       

Mike: I don't care to pass judgment on the way people do things. I have rapped down stuff to clean, especially if the landings are really bad. If someone does a problem in better 'style' than someone else, more power to them.

FRB: Do you have any epic stories or
         events you can tell us?       

Mike: Probably one of the worst days I had was being in Allenspark out near Moss Boss. Falling, hitting a ledge and tearing all the ligaments in my ankle. I had to hop on one foot a couple miles through the woods to get back to the car.

FRB: What's a typical climbing day for you?

Mike: The same as most peoples I would suspect. It's not rocket science. Phone calls, plans, approach, warm up, loaf in the sun, failure, more loafing, head home and tell lies about how great you are.

FRB: What are some of your favorite boulder problem?

Mike: Favorite? My favorites are tall slabs nobody else can, or wants to climb. Good for the ego.

FRB: What are some of your hardest sends?

Mike: I don't really know. Anything that I do that I think is hard always seem to get down rated. I did a thing at the Rock Garden in Penitente called, 'How Old Are You Boys?' 30 feet, shallow pockets on a slab, deadpoint at the end. Far as I know nobody else has done it. Maybe V1.

FRB: How would you explain your climbing style?

Mike: I have no style. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again.

FRB: What are you working on these days, Mike?

Mike: Staying healthy and maintaining a good relationship with my girlfriend.

FRB: Got any bouldering trips coming up?

Mike: Not until the fall. Just plan on climbing around Colorado this spring and summer. Typically take a couple weeks in November for an extended road trip. I prefer to go somewhere I have not been before but partial to the southeast. Slopers kick my ass!

FRB: Best road trip? Explain please.

Mike: The one coming up, of course! The excitement, preparation, counting down the days, hitting the road, you can't beat that feeling.

FRB: Worse road trip? Explain please.       

Mike: The one that never happens.

FRB: Some day we all have to quite climbing
         (for whatever reason.) How are you going
         to get that rush that climbing offers?

Mike: Cruising my wheelchair down steep hills.

FRB: What impact do you want to have on the
         Front Range climbing/bouldering community?

Mike: I guess mainly developing new areas and being decent to people.

FRB: After a good day of climbing how do you like to relax?

Mike: Crack a cold one. Talk about how good the day was and make plans for tomorrow.

FRB: What other sports do you do, Mike?

Mike: I like to skateboard. Both on a longboard and in the parks.

FRB: How did you get into long boarding?

Mike: I started as a kid and just in the last year picked it up again. I love the speed involved.

FRB: Where do you like to ride?

Mike: The mountains are good. I once road a couple miles on Independence Pass. Great evening activity after climbing all day.

FRB: You were a navy Seal. What was that like, Mike?

Mike: It was a great time of my life. I developed both as a person and a man during that time. Travel, danger, adrenaline, camaraderie. What was not to like?

FRB: What was the training to be a navy Seal?
         Was it brutal? (the training?)

Mike: Brutal? It was extremely physically and mentally demanding. I started out in a training class of about 135 guys, only 25 graduated. But it was not brutal in the sense of sadistic. Everything was carefully planned to increase your belief in yourself, your teammates and what you believe is physically possible.

FRB: Can you tell us any stealthy missions you went on?

Mike: Specifics? No. But I have jumped, rappelled, and fast roped out of just about everything the military flys, locked out of submarines, swam long distances, snuck around in the jungle, all in the night when most sane people are asleep in their beds.

FRB: Was it difficult once you weren't a navy seal.
         I mean, how did you deal with the every day existence
         after having, I imagine, so much excitement
         as an occupation?

Mike: Not too much. You move on in your life, change is constant. Plus, I had climbing to take up the slack.

FRB: Is it ok if I ask this?
         Did you ever have to kill anyone?

Mike: I can't tell you. If I did. I would have to kill you.

FRB: Thank you for the interview, Mike.

Mike: You're welcome.

to FRB Archived Interviews

<HOME>