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Vertical Endeavors
  • About Us
    • Hours + Locations
    • Routesetting
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Health Care Reimbursement
    • Contact
      • Donation Request
      • Climb for Community
  • Pricing & Memberships
    • Pricing & Membership
    • Gift Cards
    • Refund/Cancellation Policies
  • Activities
    • Member Nights
    • Homeschool Discount Days
    • Climbing Camps
    • VEGA – Outdoor Climb
    • Lessons + Clinics
      • Basic Top Rope
      • Sport Lead
      • Private Lessons
      • VEB Clinics
    • Climb Team, Clubs, & Leagues
      • Youth Climb Team and Club
      • Adult Climb Team
      • Adult Climb League
      • Adult Bouldering Club
    • Group Events & Private Parties
  • Yoga & Fitness
  • Events
  • FAQ
    • Rules Agreement
    • First Time Climbers
    • Membership Update Request
    • Climbing Wall Instructor Certification
    • COVID-19 Information
  • Waiver
  • Blog

Posts by Chris Deal

Comparison is the Thief of Joy & Progression

By Chris Deal | April 14, 2025 | 0

Comparison is the thief of joy and progression. Climbing is a marathon, not a sprint. Tips and tricks to stay the course.

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Shoe Review: La Sportiva Solution

By Chris Deal | February 12, 2025 | 0

Released in 2007, how does this classic fare in 2025?

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Tension Board 1 Thoughts

By Chris Deal | January 31, 2025 | 0

Take better climbing photos!

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Our Favorite Things About… Vertical Endeavors

By Chris Deal | January 22, 2025 | 0

Take better climbing photos!

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Scarpa Drago LV Review

By Chris Deal | November 8, 2024 | 0
scarpa drago lv shoe review

Take better climbing photos!

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How to Take Better Climbing Photos!

By Chris Deal | September 26, 2024 | 0

Take better climbing photos!

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Fall Early Season Tips & Tricks

By Chris Deal | September 11, 2024 | 0
rock climbing bouldering in eldon, sandstone minnesota

Fall is in the air!

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Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

By Chris Deal | September 5, 2024 | 0

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

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August Meme Collection

By Chris Deal | August 30, 2024 | 0

August Meme Collection!

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TCB Pop-Up Competition Recap

By Chris Deal | August 27, 2024 | 0

Twin Cities Bouldering Pop-Up Competition Recap!

Read More
Older Posts »

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© 2017 Vertical Endeavors. All text images contained in this website are the property of Vertical Endeavors under U.S. copyright laws and should not be duplicated or published in whole or part without the expressed written permission of Vertical Endeavors and is not to be sold or published for commercial gain under any circumstance.
Jeff Acasio

Climbing Since: 2000

At VE Since: 2013

About Me: I trained on the VE Competitive Climb Team through high school, competed at the USAC SCS National Championships twice, and am now the Head Team Coach at VE St. Paul. I went to school for massage therapy at CenterPoint Massage and Shiatsu Therapy School and Clinic in St. Louis Park, MN. I am hoping to own a massage business in the future.

Hometown: Lakeland, MN

Favorite Type of Climbing: Sport & Bouldering

Favorite Climbing Area: Red Wing, MN (Great views!)

What I Love About Climbing: I quite enjoy that climbing is both mentally stimulating (problem solving) and physically challenging (a great workout). Life is so fast paced and climbing is a constant in my life; it keeps me grounded and focused.

Other interests: Fitness, traveling, hair and skincare, hiking/backpacking, camping, and recently I have sparked an interest in Triathlons!

Interesting Facts: I can unicycle and I love to cook!

Krista Mathes

Climbing Since: 2000

At VE Since: 2013

About Me: I trained on the VE Competitive Climb Team through high school, competed at the USAC SCS National Championships twice, and am now the Head Team Coach at VE St. Paul. I went to school for massage therapy at CenterPoint Massage and Shiatsu Therapy School and Clinic in St. Louis Park, MN. I am hoping to own a massage business in the future.

Hometown: Lakeland, MN

Favorite Type of Climbing: Sport & Bouldering

Favorite Climbing Area: Red Wing, MN (Great views!)

What I Love About Climbing: I quite enjoy that climbing is both mentally stimulating (problem solving) and physically challenging (a great workout). Life is so fast paced and climbing is a constant in my life; it keeps me grounded and focused.

Other interests: Fitness, traveling, hair and skincare, hiking/backpacking, camping, and recently I have sparked an interest in Triathlons!

Interesting Facts: I can unicycle and I love to cook!

Tony Mansourian

Climbing Since: 2013

At VE Since: 2017

About Me: I like teaching and I like climbing, so working with Climb Team is a natural fit for me. I love working with our team kids and watching them grow and get more engaged with the sport. Plus, I like having people do what I say.

Hometown: Golden Valley, MN

Favorite Type of Climbing: Indoor Trad Solo

What I Love About Climbing: It is a chance to yell and show off my muscles in a socially-acceptable way.

Other Interests: Photography, snowboarding, travel, and reading

Interesting Facts: I learned to rock climb in Japan and I learned to use chopsticks in America.

Sadie Waite

Climbing Since: 2011

At VE Since: 2015

About Me: I like animals and rocks.

Hometown: West Fargo, ND

Favorite Type of Climbing: Techy face climbing

Favorite Climbing Area: Wild Iris in Lander, WY

What I Love About Climbing: It takes you to a lot of really neat places. Climbing challenges you both physically and mentally.

Other Interests: Downhill skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and water skiing

Interesting Facts: I’m color blind, which sometimes makes it difficult for me to follow routes in the gym!

Mariah Hanson

Climbing Since: 2000

At VE Since: 2013

About Me: I trained on the VE Competitive Climb Team through high school, competed at the USAC SCS National Championships twice, and am now the Head Team Coach at VE St. Paul. I went to school for massage therapy at CenterPoint Massage and Shiatsu Therapy School and Clinic in St. Louis Park, MN. I am hoping to own a massage business in the future.

Hometown: Lakeland, MN

Favorite Type of Climbing: Sport & Bouldering

Favorite Climbing Area: Red Wing, MN (Great views!)

What I Love About Climbing: I quite enjoy that climbing is both mentally stimulating (problem solving) and physically challenging (a great workout). Life is so fast paced and climbing is a constant in my life; it keeps me grounded and focused.

Other interests: Fitness, traveling, hair and skincare, hiking/backpacking, camping, and recently I have sparked an interest in Triathlons!

Interesting Facts: I can unicycle and I love to cook!

Sarah Wiehe

Climbing Since: I was 8 years old.

At VE Since: 2014

About Me: I am a caregiver meaning I do in home care for seniors. I enjoy photography and making homemade cards. I spend lots of time with my boyfriend, family, and friends.

Hometown: Roseville, MN

Favorite Type of Climbing: Top Rope

Favorite Climbing Area: Rummy Rocks, New Hampshire

What I Love About Climbing: It is a full body sport it. I love that I always have things I can improve. I also like the social part of climbing and how it brings people together, whether that be climbing indoor or outside. Climbing is a stress reliever for me.

Other Interests: Hiking, camping, fitness, photography, card making, and water skiing

Interesting Facts: I have traveled to South Korea, Jamaica, and many places in the US. I also have a lot of food allergies!

Gabe Olson

Climbing Since: 2008

At VE Since: 2014

About Me:  I’m a movement nerd when it comes to climbing. I want to know why and how I or other climbers can move as efficiency as possible. I’ve often say there are many more strong climbers then good climbers. I want to learn to be both!

Hometown: Grand Forks, ND

Favorite Type of Climbing: Hard Top rope. It’s too good. I’m able to just focus everything on the movement and rock, instead of having to stop and clip or worry about my fall.

Favorite Climbing Area: I have a soft spot for our local choss pile, Red Wing. But outside of MN, I would probably say Moab, Utah.

What I Love About Climbing: The complexity rock or holds on a wall can provide and how every climber interacts with the climbs slightly different.

Other Interests: Mountain biking

Interesting Facts: Owls have eye tubes instead of eye balls.