Chet Halstead

About

The first time I set foot on rock was in Yosemite National Park just a few years ago. My friend Doyle took me up a 700 foot formation via a 6-pitch 5.7 named Zee Tree. With no climbing experience, I was well out of my comfort zone. Half way up the route I dropped the belay device, watching it tumble hundreds of feet down the mountain into the abyss below. A sense of impending doom came over me as I imagined a swarm of helicopters flying through the valley to rescue us. Darkness soon began to fall which only intensified the angst I felt at the time. Thankfully Doyle’s experience got us both back to the base safely. Whilst a nerve wracking experience at the time, I was hooked. I’ve since spent days building up my repertoire of technical systems and rescue skills while also branching out onto longer and more technical traditional climbing objectives. I’m excited to apply my qualifications in a professional context and teach climbers in a more controlled environment than I was taught, inspiring their passion as Doyle inspired mine.