NATE MCKENZIE

Owner,
Climbing Instructor

Nate began climbing at an early age in the foothills of Mt Rainier in Washington State. Originally from the Seattle area, his climbing and backcountry experience ranges from the East to West coast of the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Alps in France and Switzerland.

Nate teaches climbing courses both indoors and outside focusing on rock climbing, ice climbing and mountaineering. He is an American Mountain Guide Association certified instructor, provider for the AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) Certification and is the Northeast Program Manager for Paradox Sports, a Colorado based non-profit helping adults with physical disabilities achieve their climbing goals.

Nate’s Training & Certifications

  • AMGA Multi-Pitch Instructor (2021)

  • AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide (2014)

  • AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (Since 2007)

  • AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor (Course Provider, 2008)

  • CWA Work at Height Certified
    (Qualified, L3)

  • Wilderness First Responder (SOLO)

  • NY State Licensed Rock & Ice Guide (#7755)

  • USA Climbing Certified Routesetter (L1)

  • USA Climbing Certified Climbing Coach (L2)

Jen Chmiel

Rock Climbing Instructor,
Women’s Program Leader

Jen (she/her) is passionate about climbing in all its forms and using her experience as a climber, a competitive athlete, a climbing instructor, and a certified strength and conditioning coach to help women achieve their goals in the outdoors.

Recently, she founded Face the Climb as a vehicle to provide mentorship for women and address a real need in the climbing industry for coaches with an educational background in research and exercise science. Jen currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Ragged Mountain Foundation where she founded a community stewardship program and works to protect access to Connecticut crags.

Jen is also the host of Face The Climb Podcast [listen now] where she discusses all things climbing including topics like training, motivation, nutrition, crag snacks, and whatever is on her mind to share.

Jen’s Training AND CERTIFICATIONS

  • B.S. in Biology & Minor in Fitness (2014)

  • M.S. in Exercise Sport Science, concentration in Exercise Physiology (2016)

  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (C.S.C.S)-NSCA (2016)

  • AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (2020)

  • SOLO Wilderness First Aid (2021)

  • USA Climbing Certified Routesetter, Level 1 (2019)

  • CWA Climbing Wall Instructor certified (2019)

Blake Cheney

Rock climbing instructor

Blake (He/They) Is a CT native with lots of love for CTs climbing areas. Blake got their start on a climbing team and quickly fell in love with every aspect of the sport.

After spending a long time learning from others he decided to start the process of sharing all he had learned! After climbing for 10 years, working in climbing gyms, and instructing in the outdoors Blake has been able to feed his passion for sharing knowledge! Blake is a certified AMGA single pitch instructor and former EMT

Blake’s training and certifications

AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (since 2022)

AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor (2019-2021)

EMT - State of Connecticut (2020-2022)

Andrew Daniels

Rock Climbing Instructor

After moving back to the United States from Panama, Andrew became interested in climbing during his college years. After joining clubs, working at gyms, and going on climbing trips from coast to coast, Andrew acquired his AMGA Certifications and currently operates with an SPI certification. Although Andrew has been working in the North East since 2020, he still has a soft spot for small-town Missouri and Arkansas where he really fell in love with the sport.

 

Andrew’s Training and Certifications

  • B.S. in Outdoor Recreation Management and Administration (2023)

  • AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (Since 2021)

  • Wilderness First Aid (Since 2019)