Chris Thomas’s story begins in Columbia, Maryland, where he spent most his childhood avidly playing hockey. But when the talented ice skater crossed paths with the vertical sport of climbing, he traded in his hockey stick for a climbing rope.
Feverishly developing his climbing skills in places like Seneca Rocks, the Gunks, the Adirondacks, and the New River Gorge, Chris quickly exceled in his pursuits at a very young age.
As a teenager, even though the Adirondacks were 8-10 hours away from his home, Chris endured the long drives on a weekly basis to repeat most of the test piece ice/mixed routes and started to put up some of his own. It was there, in the “Dacks”, where Chris made the first ascent of The Fecalator (M10), known to be the most difficult traditionally protected mixed climb in North America.
Shortly thereafter Chris moved to Salt Lake City, UT where he has enjoyed much easier access to the mountains. With Utah as his base camp, Chris has continued to climb all around the states and across the globe.
Notable Ascents:
Alpine/Ice/Mixed:
- First Ascent – Mt Huntington, Community College Couloir (M7+ WI5)
- First Ascent – Idiot Peak, Tokositna Glacier
- First Ascent – The Fecalator, Adirondacks (M10 WI6 trad)
- First Ascent – Gold Rush Direct, Adirondacks (WI6+)
- First Ascent – Tropical Hooker, Santaquin Canyon (M10)
- Various ascents in Patagonia, including the Ferrari Route on Cerro Torre
Rock:
- First Free Ascent – Free Me, Big Willow Canyon (5.13b/c trad)
- Redpoints to 5.14a, onsights to 5.13b
- 2013 winner and current record holder for 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell competition
- Free ascent of El Cap via Free Rider (VI, .12d)
- First Ascent – Ace Drizzle Memorial Route, Little Cottonwood Canyon (5.12+, 4 pitches)
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