family-friendly indoor climbing gym
We believe climbing is a transformative experience. We exist to give climbers of all ages and abilities a fun, welcoming space to experience the sport of climbing.
Manager
Chris Hampson
Chris is originally from Western North Carolina. He attended UNC Asheville, leading backpacking, whitewater kayaking, and climbing trips through the university outdoor program. Chris was already in love with the outdoors, and he discovered his passion for outdoor leadership through these trips.
After college, he moved to Boulder, where he worked as an Assistant Director and Lead Kayak Instructor for Avid 4 Adventure, a summer camp that provides transformative outdoor experiences for children and pre-teens.
After Avid 4 Adventure, Chris transitioned into a teaching role at Karla's previous gym, ABC Kids Climbing. He created daily lesson plans that incorporated climbing fundamentals in an engaging environment.
Over nine years, he worked his way up to the position of Chief Operating Officer, directing a 40-person staff that included assistant managers, coaches, and instructors.
Chris has a passion for creating a diverse and energetic staff culture, and he's excited to foster that culture at Steamboat Climbing Collective.
Coach + Front Desk
Dylan Burdine
Manager
Holly Seamans
Holly grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts and began climbing at her local climbing gym at 18. She found a passion for climbing and soon was working the front desk and climbing classes at that gym, MetroRock Climbing Centers. In 2015, she moved to Concord, New Hampshire and began working with EVO Rock+Fitness (now NH Climbing Gym). During her time at EVO, she became certified as a Climbing Wall Instructor Provider and was promoted to Program Coordinator.
In 2017, she moved to Boulder and began working as a coach at ABC Kids Climbing. From 2017 - 2020, she refined her skills as a coach and was promoted to Assistant Manager, where she developed curriculum, helped with administrative tasks, and mentored new coaches.
In February 2021, she took a step back from the gym and focused on outdoor climbing, traveling from Colorado to Arizona, Joshua Tree National Park, Moab, Indian Creek, and Yosemite National Park. She spent the summer in Mammoth Lakes, CA, and enjoyed climbing all over the Eastern Sierra.
Now, she's returning to the gym to help grow the climbing community in Steamboat and offer a healthy climbing environment for kids.
Coach
John Starr
I am from St. Louis, I have been climbing for 14 years. I specialize in bouldering and dynamic movement. My favorite part of climbing is the presence it makes you feel while you are on the wall and everything around you has the volume turned down. I have been coaching climbing for seven years. My favorite type of fictional animal is a leopard seal.
Owner
Karla Lankford
Karla has spent decades working in the outdoor industry, in sales and marketing at different ski areas, and as the majority owner of the recreational side of ABC Kids Climbing in Boulder.
Karla has also spent decades working with kindergartners and first graders in the school system, where she learned the joys of learning new perspectives from children.
She has seen firsthand the joy and empowerment that climbing gyms can offer kids and communities. The mental and emotional transformation climbing offers make her excited about the sport.
It’s her love of community, personal empowerment, and inclusion that drove her to open Steamboat Climbing Collective.
Coach + Front Desk
Kylie Kuhl
Hello, I am Kylie. I was born and raised here in Steamboat Springs and am currently attending CSU to pursue an art education major. Now I am only working while I am back in town. My friends introduced me to climbing about two years ago, and I have fallen in love ever since. I first started climbing at Butcherknife here in town. Before climbing, I did a lot of dance and competed in water skiing. My favorite thing about climbing is that my mind goes blank. It allows me to forget other things and focus on my body and movement.
Front Desk
Rebecca McNamara
For over 20 years, I have been teaching children in the classroom setting, dance studio and at a variety of different camps with children of all ages. With two MA degrees, I am always striving to learn more. When I am not teaching, you can find me snowboarding, hiking or climbing. My favorite part of living in Steamboat Springs is enjoying the outdoors with my friends and two dogs. I enjoy rock climbing in different places as I travel. For example, some of the fantastic places I have climbed are Spain, Thailand, and Mali, West Africa. I enjoy working at Steamboat Climbing Collective, where I can share my passion for climbing and experience working with children into action!
Our owner, Karla Lankford, was the majority owner of the recreational side of ABC Kids Climbing in Boulder for the past ten years. In 2021, she decided to sell her share of the climbing business and retire.
Just three short weeks later, she discovered that the local climbing gym in Steamboat was going to liquidate. After seeing firsthand the joy, confidence, and transformation that happen on the rock wall, Karla knew she couldn't let the Steamboat community be without a climbing gym.
Karla called her past COO, Chris Hampson, and manager, Holly Seamans, and asked if they would join her. The two offered a resounding "yes," and Steamboat Climbing Collective, LLC was born! The team freshened up the gym and opened it with a vision to create a fun, inclusive space for all.
Join Our Team
We are psyched you are interested in working with us. We are a small team who cares deeply about climbing and the community. If you want to work with us, please email an application and resume to info@steamboatclimbingcollective.com
