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.
Special Projects 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.
Desk + Coach
Hannah Chaplik
I moved from Florida to Steamboat Springs in November 2022 to become a ski instructor because I wanted a change of scenery, preferably a place with seasons, and skiing has been one of my passions since I was little. During winter I started going to the gym and decided to try climbing. I fell in love with it and haven't stopped since. It became a passion of mine and opened up a new world for me. I also love going to live music events, being in nature, and working with kids, and my cat, Babu. My favorite climbing move is palming with both hands while on a dihedral route.
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.
Assistant Manager
Kate Stern
Kate grew up in Boulder, CO where she started to climb as a kid. She worked at Karla's previous gym, ABC Kids Climbing, teaching classes and camps. She attended Western Colorado University in Gunnison, earning Business Administration and Environment Sustainability degrees. Kate moved away from Colorado in 2021 to Bend, OR where she completed a term of service with AmeriCorps. She recently moved back to Colorado and is thrilled to return to her home state. In her free time, Kate likes to mountain bike, ski, climb, and be outside with friends. Kate's favorite type of climbing is sport climbing, and she is known for her quick and jumpy climbing.
Coach (Seasonal)
Keegan Millen
I was born in Steamboat but spent most of my childhood in Australia. I've always had a passion for mountain biking, skiing, climbing, and almost anything outdoors.
I love any climbing move that's dynamic (Jumpy and swingy).
Summer Camp Coordinator (Seasonal)
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!
Coach (Seasonal)
Trevor Harms
I am a Steamboat native who's enjoyed climbing at various gyms in town since 5th grade. I started working with SCC summer of 2022, and I am excited to continue sharing my passion for climbing with Steamboat's youth.
Next fall, I will be attending the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, but I plan on coming back to work camps over the following summers.
Climbing is an excellent opportunity for me to challenge myself and relax, and I love pushing myself and achieving things I couldn't do before.
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. Learn about our employment opportunities by clicking the link below.
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.
