A Great Team

If you've ever wondered who slogs round the country getting you local store geared up with the latest goodies, who deals with sponsored climbers and who get to test the latest goodies before they're out...just to make sure they're safe...it's these people.

So here's some info and breif bios of the Excalibur team, a dedicated bunch with a heck of a lot of climbing under their belts and a lot of energy and knowledge to share. A great team and a fantastic group of people to represent Wild Country (and Red Chili ) in the USA...

The Excalibur Team

Steve Petro - CEO Excalibur Distribution

Rock climbing has been Steve's main athletic interest for the last 29 years. He is renown for his many first ascents in Utah's Canyonlands and various locations in Wyoming. Steve has climbed extensively, throughout the United States and Europe. His favorite climbing areas include Indian Creek, Frankenjura, Kalymnos, Arkansas Sandstone, and of course his old stomping ground, Fremont Canyon.

His linebacker’s physique and powerful climbing style continue to draw stares from onlookers, even at age 53! Steve supports his climbing lifestyle by working as CEO for Excalibur, importer of DMM and Wild Country, climbing hardware and Red Chili shoes.

Steve Petro awash in a sea of tufas in the amazing 'Grande Grotto' Kalymnos, Greece.

Climbing Background - First Free Ascent of the 1800' route, Wind and Sand and Stars 5.12c in Zion National Park with Lisa Gnade and Jeff Lowe. First Free Ascent of the 1000' route, Shimmering Abstraction 5.11 in the Bighorn Mtns. First person to free climb the most difficult route, 5.12, in the Tetons, on Mt Moran. First Free Ascent of Fiddler on the Roof, Wyoming’s premier roof crack. More than 100 FFA’s. Climbs equally difficult (up to 5.13d) routes on both Sport and Traditional routes. Nearly one hundred 5.13’s on his tick list, trad and sport.

Some Favorite Routes: Fiddler on the Roof 5.13d, Sphinx Crack 5.13c, Grand Illusion 5.13b, Fallen Arches 5.13aPink Flamingo 5.13b, Belly Full of Bad Berries 5.13b, Blue Mask 5.13d, Atmosphere 5.13b, New Mutant 5.12c, Cosmic Debris 5.13a, The Phoenix 5.13a.

Lisa Gnade - US Sales Manager - Rep for Rockies and SW

Rock Climbing has been Lisa's primary focus for more than 18 years and she has redpointed dozens of 5.13's to date. Climbing is more than an activity or a sport, it's her way of life. She began climbing during her years as a student at Flagstaff's Northern Arizona University, in order to fulfill a required credit in physical education. That was an unplanned, but gratifying turning point in life; the pursuit of 9 - 5 having gone astray.

Lisa Gnade where she happiest, on the rocks, unknown route Lake Garda Italy.

Years of climbing and living the dream have been their own reward. Extensive climbing related trips throughout Europe and the western US, and time spent in the effort to complete many climbing goals, have helped bring to life Lisa's "seize the day" approach to existence. Now, seizing the opportunity to work as importer and distributor, doing sales management duties, and covering territory as a sales representative for Wild Country and DMM climbing equipment and Red Chili climbing shoes, she finds herself with even greater appreciation for time on the rock. Her companion in both work and leisure is husband and fellow climbing enthusiast, Steve Petro. When not climbing or working, Lisa can be found skiing at Snowbird, reading textbooks for entertainment, or spending time with her five furry children, the cats.

Fave Routes: Sphinx Crack, South Platte, Wind and Sand and Stars, Zion, Darkness at Noon, Smith Rocks, Equinox, Joshua Tree, Strawberries (as a TR), Tremadog, Fairview Dome, Tuolumne, Borderline, Mt Charleston, Pink Flamingo, Indian Creek, Jackie Brown, Frankenjura, Trella, Kalymnos, Jug Abuse, American Fork, Fallen Arches, Little Cottonwood, The Collector, Fremont Canyon.

Chris Schmick - Southern Midwest

Our Midwestern Sales Representative, Chris Schmick, is a busy man. He and his wife Pam have two of the cutest kids on the planet and in addition to this they own a major climbing area and own and oversee two climbing gyms. Chris has been at the center of midwestern climbing for more than a decade with dozens, if not hundreds of first ascents to his name. When it comes to climbing, Chris is too modest to write publicly about his own accomplishments but don't let that fool you. He's productive, accomplished and very, very motivated.

"It's been going pretty good so far this season. I did the three hardest routes on the Feast Wall in a day. I know you probably don't remember, but I also did that overhanging wide crack at the Feast Wall a couple weeks ago.
I also bolted a new line on the Feast just before Thanksgiving, and it feels like it will come in at 13b/c , I can do all the moves so, it really gives me a reason to get back into shape." (Yeah, right, as if Chris Schmick is ever out of shape!) "I also did that big Roof right below the house earlier this fall. The route is good as Gravedigger and comes in around 12c/d.I just got done bolting this 80' 5 star route and did it yesterday. It came in around 12b, it is slightly overhanging on small holds."

Top News Story