Chris Sierzant
mid December, 2003

FRB: How did you get into climbing Chris?

Chris: As a kid I would always climb in trees in my back yard. When it rained I built a gym in my basement to climb on, to practice climbing the trees. At the time I knew nothing of Rocks, until a neighbor's friend saw me fifty ft. up in my back yard swinging from tree to tree with out protective gear. He took me out climbing just once, but that was all it took, I was instantly hooked.

FRB: Where do you usually climb at?

Chris: I climb just about anywhere, most often I'm seen in the Southeast bouldering, but my favorite place to climb is at the Red River Gorge.

FRB: What else do you like to do besides climb?

Chris: Where should I start…..I go Caving (Over 50 underground ventures), Hiking (Hundreds of trips for recreation and guiding), Mountain Biking, Aggressive Inline skating (first place in several competitions), Wake boarding, Bull Riding, Skate Boarding, Snow Boarding, Running (4:30min. mile), Swimming, Skiing, Boxing (Best in weight category, currently undefeated) Kayaking, Choi Kwang Do Martial Arts(Grand master of the art), Gymnastics, Horse back Riding, Sculpting (Over 40 sculptures to date), Playing guitar (Taught myself how to play one year ago), Playing the Drums (Won several State awards for advanced knowledge of percussion instruments.), Student Ambassador for the United States (Travel to foreign countries promoting world peace), Photography/film developing (Received several composition awards for photos and was awarded scholarships for school.) Media productions (Involved in the production of several current climbing videos on sale today), Landscaping, Full time Student (Majoring in Spanish), Own Escalade Indoor Rock Climbing gym (Manage and maintain the facility/Competition organizer and coordinator). That should sum up about most of my free time activities.

FRB: What's the bouldering scene like down there?

Chris: The bouldering scene is exploding! Competitions every weekend during the season, and climbers seem to double in numbers every year. It's kinda scary, I wonder how access will be in a few more years.

FRB: You operate a rock gym in Georgia?

Chris: Two years ago I came home, from living in Las Vegas, broke. I started right away building Escalade Inc. Within three months of hard work, day and night, I finally finished. I've been owner and operating ever since.

FRB: What does your facility offer?

Chris: I made sure to include a little bit of everything in my gym from what I had seen in all my travels throughout the world. My gym is set up separate from each aspect, birthday parties in an enclosed area, top-out bouldering, a 2,000sqft. 14ft high Bouldering island, 16ft wide 14ft tall campus board, Over 40 top rope Routes up to 30ft, 15 lead routes. I even installed a Burger King Tube slide in the wall to help little fat kids to get down from our top-out boulder.

FRB: Tell us about your Competition Series?

Chris: The Power Series competitions that I host every two months help promote the professional side of climbing. Each competition offers cash to the top three competitors, $100/50/25, and a competitor that is dedicated can win our series trophy cup. Every February we have a final Round called the "February Fall-out." It usually draws about 100 competitors. I offer cash to the top four competitor's $1000/400/200/100, so if you think you can handle the best of the southeast. Bring it! I have expansion plans for the series that include giving the climbers more money, Season III I hope to give $200.00 for first in the local events $100 to 2nd and $50 for third. As long as climbers continue to come I will raise the stakes every year by $100 dollars. I feel that the climbers of the future are entitled to it.

FRB: Who is your average gym user?

Chris: Kid around 14years old to 26yrs. The demographics in Georgia are low for climbers in my area but they grow each year. Until they grow enough then we will keep catering to birthday parties and lock-ins.

FRB: The best place to climb and boulder around you?

Chris: The bouldering in the south speaks for itself. If you have never seen pictures or heard something about it yet you need to get out more often. The more choice places would be Little Rock City and Horse Pens 40. For routes Little River Canyon is the best sport crag in the Southeast offering over 400 sport routes in the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi.

FRB: What are some things you don't like about
          the Georgia bouldering/climbing scene?

Chris: Just like anywhere else and in any sport you have shit talking gossip sprayers. Good regulators like Adam Henry keep those sorts of people in line, but for the most part people are open and friendly.

FRB: What other things are there to do for fun in you area?

Chris: Swimming holes every where! Big water falls, Lakes, Six Flags over Georgia, Killer Skate boarding in Atlanta, Specifically in Kennesaw where my gym is there are thousands of places to recreate.

FRB: Who are the strong boulderers in Georgia these days?

Chris: Zachary Pitts, Greg Kottcamp, Kate Reese, Kenneth McGinnis, there are more but just off the top of my head that is who stand out the most.

FRB: Where are the new hard problems being done at these days?

Chris: Little Rock City in Tennessee, is only an hour away but a slew of V10's11'sand 12's are getting opened by local strong man Andrew Traylor, and "the one and only crimpmaster," James Litz.

FRB: What about camping and other amenities
          for the traveling climber?

Chris: Camping is everywhere and mostly free, good people are open to helping a traveling climber out. I have housed hundreds of climbers in need of a shower and place to stay. People in the South are very welcoming.

FRB: Thanks for the interview Chris.

Chris: You're welcome.

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