Emily Wright

Position: Climbing Wall Supervisor
Background: I began climbing in my pre-teens in Portland, OR, competing for the Stoneworks Junior Climbing Team. Climbing has been a major part of my life ever since. I enjoy climbing outdoors, traveling to new climbing destinations, camping, and meeting new friends wherever I go. I completed my Masters in Geology at Central in 2009 and returned to Ellensburg in 2011 to work at the climbing wall.

Brenden Henesey

Position: Rock Climbing Instructor
Hometown: Bainbridge Island, WA
Grade: Junior
Career Goals: Lead epic trips into the wild. Laugh in the face of danger.
Favorite Food: Chamorro (Guam) BBQ
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Climbing, sailing and camping
Craziest Outdoor Experience: Searching for two lost campers (who were found), emergency bonfire, hiking out at 2am from a flooded camp sight.
Quote to live by:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Brent Ranniger

Position: Rock Climbing Instructor
Hometown: Snohomish
Year/ Major: Senior/ Recreation and Tourism
Career Goals: Own a KOA
Background: I've been climbing ever since I came to this wonderful school, which has been about a year and a half now. My love for climbing started as a young boy when I use to climb trees. I still climb trees but now I also climb rocks. I really like climbing on ropes. I leave you with this; go climb something!

Micah Wright

Position: Climbing Wall Instructor
Background: I grew up in Ellensburg staring at the mountains and dreaming of one day climbing them. I learned to climb at Frenchman’s Coulee about ten years ago. I have returned to Central to finish my Geography degree after a four year break, which I spent working seasonally, traveling and climbing. My travels have taken me all over the southwestern US and as far as Argentina.

Galen Abercrombie

Position: Climbing Wall Instructor
Hometown: Spokane Washington
Career Goals: Fly Commercial Aircraft
Background: My passion for climbing started when a buddy of mine drug me into the wall and said "don't worry it will be fun." Well sure enough I had more than fun and became hooked! Climbing is one of my top favorite activities alongside working on cars and riding motorcycles. My favorite part about climbing is that you get to meet a lot of awesome people that can turn into your best friends. I hope to see whoever is reading this in the rock wall enjoying this sport as much as I do.

Logan Scully

Position: Climbing Wall Instructor
Year/Major: Junior/Geolography
Background: I am a local to Ellensburg and have been climbing for about six years. I got into it while I was working as a wild land firefighter with a friend, Micah. He was going out to vantage and I decided to tag along. I was immediately addicted, Vantage became my dojo and I spent countless days exploring and climbing there, later I traveled to different crags and tried out different forms of climbing. I love all aspects of climbing from long alpine climbs to a short day out at the crag. When I started school at central I was super stoked to be able to train at the rock wall and soon discovered the Central climbing community is full of welcoming people and amazing climbers. Come stop by the wall, it’s a great form of exercise as well as the most entertaining thing you can do.

Mackenzie Nichols

Position: Climbing Wall Instructor
Hometown: Cashmere Washington
Year/Major: Senior – Double major – Public Relations and Global Wine Studies
Career Goals: Making it into the wine industry and traveling all over the world to the major wine regions (which just happen to be close to some stellar climbing areas)
Background: I kind of jumped into the climbing scene as away to challenge myself to do something radical. The more I climb – the less I feel it is radical and the more I feel that it is a sport that is completely natural to one’s body. Climbing has enabled me to be more confident in all areas of my life and given me the opportunity to push my mental limits to the max. Through climbing I have created some truly wonderful relationships and been able to explore some of the most beautiful places in the Northwest. I really enjoy watching new climbers develop a passion for this sport - it is one of those things that once you start – you’re hooked.

Hayden Messerman

Position: Climbing Wall Instructor

Matt Jackson

Position: Climbing Wall Instructor
Hometown: Renton, WA
Grade: Junior
Career Goals: Work with young athletes on their nutrition and wellness goals
Favorite Food: Coffee in the morning, coffee in the afternoon and coffee in the evening
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Lead/Sport Climbing, Bouldering, Backpacking
Craziest Outdoor Experience:  My first attempt to climb the twenty three pitch route Infinite Bliss. Me and my partner were ten pitches up when we realized we were out of water!
Bucket List Destinations: The Valley, Bishop, Fontainebleau
 

Elizabeth Rathburn

Position: Climbing Wall Instructor
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Grade: junior, 3rd year
Career Goals: become a music teacher
Favorite Food: lumpia
Favorite Outdoor activities: climbing, slacklining, swimming, getting tan
Craziest outdoor experience: Swimming with sea turtles
Quote to live by: "In brute reality there is no road that is right entirely"

Alex Martin