SAGE DONNELLY

Name: Sage Viselli Donnelly

Age: 13

Primary Residence: In a van, down by the river, or Carson City, NV

Yrs climbing: 11

Yrs kayaking: 11

Height: 5’3

Weight: 125

How did you start climbing? My parents always took me-the Baby Bjorn worked well on the belayer!

How did you start kayaking? My parents traded rivers until I was 2, then we did family runs in a 2 person kayak until I was in my own boat at age 5

What kind of climbing do you prefer? Trad, because you can protect yourself as much as you want when leading, but both are fun!

What kind of kayaking do you prefer? Every kind! Freestyle because I love throwing myself around and doing different tricks. Slalom because I love to nail a hard move while going super fast. Creeking because when I nail a line, it feels really good and If I don’t get the move, I get trashed!

Describe your perfect day: Any day I can fit more than one sport in.

What have you learned from climbing and kayaking? Even when it gets difficult, if you breathe and focus, you can make things happen.

How does climbing and kayaking affect your life? As a type 1 diabetic with celiac and thyroid disease, I am very in touch with my body and health, and am stronger, more aware and focused because of it.

What did your mom say when you started climbing? Trust your feet.

What did your mom say when you started kayaking? Believe in your skills

What is your favorite food? I have been a vegetarian since birth, diabetic since age 3, gluten free since age 8….sweet and sour bean curd is my current favorite!

What are you driving? I’m too young, but my mom drives me around the country in a Ford 4×4 Sportsmobile van conversion.

Do you watch TV? Yes, I love Big Bang Theory and Avatar, the Last Airbender, Legend of Korra

Do you climb competitively? No

Do you kayak competitively? Yes, in all disciplines

Do you climb indoors? No

What other activities do you participate in? SUP down river racing and boardercross, trail running, mountain biking, long boarding

What is the hardest sport you’ve tried? Anything with hand-eye coordination!

How much do you travel? About 9 months out of the year.

What is your favorite climbing area? Yosemite.

What is your favorite river? North Fork of the Payette, Idaho, and The Feather River in CA.

Do you train your weaknesses or strengths? I train so I don’t have weaknesses, only strengths.

What advice do you give someone who wants to be a pro climber or kayaker? Work hard, and if it gets frustrating, work through it.

What is your favorite Bluewater product? Dynamic rope and Sure Grip throw bag

Why? Rope for climbing, throw bag and rope for water rescue

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Climbing: Snakedike on Halfdome in Yosemite when I was 8, it took 23 hrs because of the line of people!

Kayaking: 2013 Jr. Women’s Freestyle National Champion, 2013 Jr. Women’s Age Group National Champion in Kayak and Canoe (k1 and c1)2013 Women’s Pro Champion at the Reno River Festival and the GoPro Mountain Games, 2011 Top 10 Sports Illustrated Kid’s Sportskid of the year

“Chris grew up in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington DC, and started climbing occasionally while in college at Virginia Tech. A few years after graduating, Chris pulled up his roots and headed out west to Boulder, Colorado; here he would develop into who he is personally and as a climber.

While he enjoys all forms of climbing, his main passion is mixed climbing. He is dedicated to progressing the sport and is always looking for new ways to train and challenge himself, and others, to ensure constant improvement.

Chris became the 1st American to climb D15 with his ascent of “A Line Above the Sky” in Italy, and has also repeated other hard mixed climbs, such as “Saphira” and “The Mustang” in Vail’s famed Amphitheater. His future goals include climbing several of the world’s hardest known climbs, as well as helping to develop new routes that will push the sport forward; he believes we are only beginning to see what’s possible.

Despite having an intense focus on his own goals, Chris feels that helping others improve is one of the greatest parts of climbing; you’ll often find him to be introducing new climbers to the sport, as well as reveling in the opportunity to be a teacher and coach. He is also a key organizer of Unleashed; an end-of-winter-season community party in the Front Range, created to celebrate notable climbs and stories, all while raising awareness and funds for several non-profits geared toward exposing individuals to climbing and the outdoors.

Outside of climbing, he’s also a Certified Financial Planner in Denver, a High Performance Driving Instructor with the National Auto Sport Association, and an artist.”

After being injured in an IED attack in 2006, Chad elected to have his right leg amputated below the knee. At the same time Chad was deciding to amputate, Timmy O’Neill and D.J. Skelton decided to start Paradox Sports, a non-profit dedicated to facilitating outdoor experiences for people with physical disabilities. Shortly after being fitted with his first prosthesis, Chad was invited to Paradox’s first event in Boulder, CO.

Over the years, Chads role with Paradox Sports evolved from participant to volunteer. He now helps run events for Paradox as an organizer, volunteer and instructor. His favorite event of the year is the annual Paradox Ice event held in Ouray, CO. During this event Chad can be found instructing new participants in the gorge and making pizza for the crew in the evening.

Chads resume includes climbing 20,000′ Lobuche in Nepal, Bridal Veil Falls in Colorado, Zodiac on El Capitan, Mt Rainier, and extensive rock and ice routes around North America. In the spring of 2016, Chad will travel to Tibet where he will attempt Mt Everest with US Expeditions and Explorations.

http://youtu.be/r2xsu5KDaRw

Primary Residence: Portland, OR

Yrs. Climbing: 30

How did you start? I was working in a bronze foundry, dying a slow death, and a guy asked me if I wanted to go climbing. I was like “can we leave work early?” I never looked back.

Describe your moment of glory? It mostly has to do with discovering areas that nobody has ever climbed at.

What kind of climbing do you prefer? Bouldering, runout slab routes. Little holds, dicey feet, technical face climbing is my favorite. It’s not too popular these days.

What significance does climbing have in your life? The day I was started was the day I was born.

In the real world? None.

Are you afraid? Yeah.

Are you afraid to die? It’s inevitable…

What did your mother say when you started climbing? My parents were supportive.

What’s your favorite food? Sushi.

Do you watch TV? Yeah, sports. I’m a sports fan.

What’s the hardest sport you’ve tried? Skateboarding

What advice would you give someone that wants to be a professional climber? It’s a hard job, not an entitlement. Treat it like the best JOB you’ll ever have. I’ve been dealing with “pros” for years, at BlueWater and Entre Prises. I can count on one hand the actual “pros” in the industry, and most of them are on the BW team. I can count on all these guys to represent, morning, noon and night.

What are some of the sacrifices involved with being a professional climber? Too much traveling, too many parties, VIP treatment… No, seriously, there are no real sacrifices if you understand that it’s a killer JOB.

What do you like about Bluewater? Good people, leading edge product.

I was born on August 25, 1982 in southeastern Michigan, USA and it is where my family still resides. I currently live in the state of Colorado. Climbing is a driving passion for my life. I have been fortunate to feel an innate connection to its practice from the beginning, and I have structured my life so that I can be dedicated to it. I was introduced to climbing through sport climbing, and it is my main pursuit. However, I enjoy many styles; traditional climbing, bouldering, deep water soloing, and most recently ice and winter mixed (M) climbing/dry tooling. The quest to understand myself through climbing has deeply enriched my life, and for this I am eternally grateful. As a result, I feel a responsibility to continue to explore within the pursuit for as long as I am motivated and capable.

The first time I ever climbed was in 1995, I was 12. It was at a outdoor summer camp somewhere in Colorado. My parents sent me there from our home in Michigan with a couple of my friends to hike, camp, raft, and climb. I remember touching the stone for the first time, being on the wall, and moving upwards. I didn’t understand what I was experiencing, but now, looking back through my memories, I can describe it. I wasn’t scared, I wanted each climb to go on forever, I did not want to come down. It just felt so natural.From that first day until 2000, I went climbing only a handful of times. In the Spring of 2000, I began climbing slightly more consistently with increasing frequency until the Spring of 2005, when I moved to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky to work at Miguel’s Pizza. From that point onward, climbing became my lifestyle.Before climbing, my life was consumed with alpine skiing and ski racing. I have skied for nearly 25 years now, since I was 2 years old. I began racing at the age of 12, and when I was 16, I moved from Michigan to Salt Lake City, UT to attend Rowmark ski racing academy. After that, I was recruited to ski race for the College of Idaho. I still ski frequently, both on and off piste. It is such a pleasure to be outside and in the mountains, and I experience a great sense of freedom and peace there.

I was introduced to climbing through sport climbing, and it is my main pursuit. However, I enjoy many styles; traditional climbing, bouldering, deep water soloing, and most recently ice and winter mixed (M) climbing/dry tooling. The quest to understand myself through climbing has deeply enriched my life, and for this I am eternally grateful. As a result, I feel a responsibility to continue to explore within the pursuit for as long as I am motivated and capable.

In addition to practicing as an athlete, I have had many fortunate employment positions within the climbing and greater outdoor industry. I have worked as an instructor and manager for a climbing gym, a retail sales floor employee, a ski shop manager, an inventory buyer for a specialty outdoors store, and as a tech rep. I have found that these opportunities bring a balance to my climbing life. They have allowed me a way to contribute back to the sport and the industry. I am a very strong advocate for not only climbing, but the outdoor industry as a whole. I believe firmly in the necessity of its function, and I am very proud to be a part of it.

SAGE DONNELLY

Community

Hear the stories of the men and women who rely on BlueWater Ropes to conquer some of the world's most difficult climbs.

The Confidence To Climb

General Info

Customer Service

Policies

SAGE DONNELLY

Community

Hear the stories of the men and women who rely on BlueWater Ropes to conquer some of the world's most difficult climbs.

The Confidence To Climb

General Info

Customer Service

Policies

Connect with us