Jason Kehl
  climber, hold shaper, videographer, drapery hanger, artist
- August 24, 2011

FRB: Name?

Jason: Jason Kehl.

FRB: Age?

Jason: 34.

FRB: Height/Weight?

Jason: 5 foot, 9/145lbs.

FRB: Location?

Jason: Boulder, Colorado.

FRB: Favorite color?

Jason: Black.

FRB: Occupation?

Jason: Owner - CryptoChild, Hold Shaper, Videographer, Graphic Design, Athlete.

FRB: Website/Blog?

Jason: cryptochild.com / dpmclimbing.com/blogs/jason-kehl.

FRB: How did you get into climbing, Jason?

Jason: I always climbed everything as a child, from trees, houses. When I was young I used to make climbing holds out of wood, nail them 30 feet up a tree and climb them protected by a prusik and a static line. This is what happens when your a climber growing up in Maryland.

FRB: Who was the most important influence in your early years, Jason?

Jason: When I was really young, I guess my uncle David, who took me on a non climbing adventure, just exploring through the forest. He also got me my first rope for a birthday present.

FRB: Detail your ascents and FA's during this period?

Jason: I would say that the things I was looking for back then are still the same as today. Tall beautiful lines, hard moves, possibly over sketchy landings.

FRB: How would you explain your flamboyant look during this period?

Jason: I wouldn't say flamboyant, maybe nauseating? I had a book of mullets, and I was always attracted to the most disturbing one -The Offender, as it was called. This later transformed into the Dreaded Wu Dan Mullet.

FRB: OK. Now you have a new look. Explain.

Jason: There is nothing to explain. I'm going through a transitional phase right now.

FRB: Tell us about the Zanskar Odyssey premiere in Eldorado.

Jason: Well, I just finished a film with Abbey Smith and Pete Takeda entitled "The Zanskar Odyssey" about bouldering in the Indian Himalayas. The film premiered at the Eldorado Springs Art Center to a crowd of 100+, and was a success.

FRB: Any future Zanskar trips being considered, Jason?

Jason: Not in the near future, but I would love to go back sometime, there were a lot of projects we left behind, even ones we had cleaned and chalked.

FRB: Where can we buy the flick, dude?       

Jason: The film will be available through hdclimbingvideos.com.
There will be a HD download and also a DVD available with extra features, were hoping to have it out early september, 2011.

Jason Kehl sends Lammergiuer V12, Zanskar, India

FRB: You're a climber and an artist. Or is it artist climber?      

Jason: I'm a Clartist.

Jason sends Obelisk V8, Zanskar, India	Jason sends Manali Cream V8, Zanskar

FRB: What drives your art, Jason?

Jason: I think my art is driven by the bizarre. Things that force you to think, or make you go back for a second look.

FRB: You just got back from Outdoor Retailer trade show.

Jason: Yeah, it was a great show for business, I was mostly there to support So iLL and CryptoChild, but I also put some time in at my other sponsors booths, Native, LaSportiva and Revolution.

FRB: Tell us about your new hangboard, Jason.

Jason: I'm super psyched on my new hangboard, I just finished the design before the trade show and it had a pretty good response. I would say the thing that stands out the most is the skull right in the center, its a pretty simple board with crimps, pinches and jugs. soillholds.com/crimp-reaper-moderate.

FRB: You are helping design the new Earth Treks Rockville gym
          with Eldorado Walls. Tell us about that, Jason.

Jason: Yeah, I've been working a bit with Eldo Walls, wrapping up the design on the Rockville expansion. When It's done, it will be the 3rd largest gym in the country. I will also be going out to help set and get the gym open in October. So it will be cool to see the project full circle.

FRB: What about climbing? Got any project in the high country, J?

Jason: Not yet, but I haven't had much time to climb in the past months. But I am looking forward to it.

FRB: Have you ever been to Cloud 9?

Jason: Every night around 11:30 pm.

FRB: Are you guiding at Hueco Tanks this season, Jason?

Jason: Yes, I can't wait to get back down to Hueco. There are so many amazing undone lines still hidden throughout the park and being a guide really helps being able to access them.

Jason Kehl sends Seventh Circle, South Mountain, Hueco Tanks, Texas

FRB: Thanks for the interview, Jason.       

Jason: Thank you.

JK, Stitchery V12, Zanskar, India

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