9/23/2014

Exposed: Steve House


You’ve heard of his amazing ascents all over the world. You’ve seen the videos, headlines, and photos. But do you really know the person behind the name?

We’ve asked Grivel athlete, Steve House to step off the rock and expose who he really is, what makes him tick, and to share some personal things about himself.


Q: How old are you?
A: 43

Q: Where were you born? 
A: Washington

Q: Where do you currently reside?
A: Colorado

Q: What is your profession? 
A: Mountain guide, author, climber

Q: Are you married? 
A: Yes

Q: Do you have any children? 
A: No

Q: What languages do you speak? 
A: English and Slovene. I’m currently studying German.

Q: What schools did you attend and do you have any degrees? 
A: I graduated with a BS in Ecology from Evergreen State University in 1995.

Q: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? 
A: Astrophysicist.

Q: What profession would you not like to do? 
A: Sweatshop worker.

Q: Where is the most interesting place you’ve ever lived?
A: Chamonix, France. It was interesting but I couldn't make it more than a season.


Q: Where is the least interesting place you’ve ever lived?
A: Olympia Washington. Wet and flat.

Q: When did you start climbing?
A: Early 80's

Q: How did you get into climbing?
A: My father taught me to climb initially; then my friends in high school and I got into rock climbing in the late-80's. I then found alpine climbing while on a student exchange in Slovenia in 1988.

Q: Why do you climb?
A: Because I learn something new every time.

Q: What types of climbing do you enjoy?
A: Basically every type except bouldering and indoor climbing. Climbing for me is intimately tied to being in the mountains, so the more alpine, the better.

Q: What’s your favorite type of climbing?
A: Alpine Climbing.

Q: What’s your least favorite type of climbing?
A: Bouldering.

Q: What are some of your favorite climbing areas?
A: The Alps and the Karakoram.


Q: What climbing area is your least favorite?
A: I really don't care for Indian Creek too much. But it's good to spend a few days there every year to remember how to crack-climb.

Q: What has been your favorite climb/ascent?
A: Nanga Parbat by a new route on the Rupal Face because my friendship with my partner was so greatly deepened on that climb; even nine years later, we are very close.

Q: What’s the weirdest question a non-climber has asked you about climbing?
A: Did you summit?

Q: If you couldn’t climb anymore, what other sport would you pursue? 
A: Ski Mountaineering.

Q: What’s your favorite Grivel product?
A: G-20 crampons. They're like Ferraris for your feet.

Follow the vertical exploits of Steve House on this blog as well as on his personal sites:
www.stevehouse.net • Facebook page
www.alpinementors.org • Facebook page



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