Maja Vidmar

Interview – Katie Brown

December 2nd, 2008 Posted in people

Katie Brown

30.11.1980

California

Climber/bouldering

Moto: It’ll be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.

Let’s start with some climbing questions. I’m shure you have a route or a problem in mind that you’ll never forget. Why is it so special for you?

One route that I will never forget is the west face of El Cap. I think it is 11d (which in Yosemite can be hard) and 19 pitches. It is such a stunning route, and very varied, and I had a beautiful day with a good friend climbing it. It starts with several low angle, challenging and somewhat scary pitches. Then some easy climbing, culminating with a corner crux pitch with very thin gear and an overhanging crux pitch high above the ground. From that point there are some easy pitches through amazing, huge white quartzite crystal, then one more difficult slab move before several pitches of easy climbing that can be easily simul-climbed for efficiency. From the top you have to hike across the whole top of El Cap and then down the east ledges. It’s a very long day, but an incredible one and it’s one of the highest quality routes overall that I’ve ever done.

What are your weaknesses and where do you feel the storngest? Which climbing style is your favourite?

My weakness is definitely power. I’m not naturally powerful, and I don’t really train it, because bouldering frustrates me. I hate doing one move and falling off. When I’m climbing I want to be free to move and get in a flow and bouldering is very stop and go. I feel the strongest on long, traditional routes these days, and it’s also my favorite. I’m an endurance person, and I like coming down at the end of the day having climbed an entire feature and having my whole body, from my toes to my head, be tired.

Can you discribe how you feel when you are in the best shape ever, when you win something or you realize your goals and dreams. How is it when nothing goes as you want it or expect it?

I haven’t been in great shape for years. I just don’t have the passion or interest to train, but that is okay, because I wasn’t happy when I was in really great training shape, and I’m happy now. There is so much more in life to experience than climbing a hard route or winning a competition or training, and if you’re focusing on these things then sometimes you’re missing out on life. And life is short and not to be wasted.
Also, I’ve often found that when you don’t expect to do great things, that is when you do them, because your head is in a better place.

Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?

I don’t know. Not really. “Shit happens” as they say.

Are you supertitious? Do you have some special rituals?

No. I’m not superstitious and I don’t have special rituals. I used to, when I competed, but not anymore.

What are the things you appreciate the most on someone?

It depends. In a friend I appreciate honesty, compassion, camaradie, laughter, and a fun spirit, among other things. My best friends are people whom I won’t see for months but when I see them again it’s like we were never apart. In men I appreciate openness, confidence, an outgoing nature, and humor.

What is the thing you can’t resist, like your obsession?

Coffee. Clothes. My dog pawing me to go do something fun.

Your goals, dreams for the future?

I’m going to clothing design school right now, so one of my goals is to become a clothing designer. Also to climb more in Yosemite, and to travel to some new places that I haven’t been to yet.

Write something for the visitors of my web page.

Thanks for reading this interview!