Hali

Hali is originally from Austin, TX, but grew up in the Bay Area; currently, she lives in Walla Walla, WA. There, she works as Whitman College’s rock climbing gym manager and instructor, where she teaches both kids and adults how to climb. She also worked as a climbing coach in Austin, working with kids ages 5 to 12. At Whitman, Hali also works for Outdoor Programs as a trip leader, including taking students on multi-day climbing trips. She was a counselor for Camp Indigo and took a month-long NOLS course in Arizona focusing on backpacking, climbing, and whitewater canoeing.

• Education: Whitman College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology
• Certifications: Wilderness first responder, AMGA climbing wall instructor
• Favorite outdoor memory: On my NOLS course while on our climbing section, a handful of us spontaneously dyed our eyebrows pink. Because my hair was so much lighter than my peers’, I went all in, and an hour later my entire head was bright pink! We had to get creative on how to safely use the dye so we used plastic food bags to mix the dye into my hair and the foot pump sink to wash. The dye got everywhere, but thankfully it was eco-friendly.
• Favorite outdoor achievement: I was losing light as the sun set, and I was frustrated that I couldn’t get the last move on a climbing route before clipping the chains. I was exhausted, pumped, and scared. I sat on the rope at the
  last clip nearly five feet below the chains, telling myself how strong I was and that I could do anything I set my mind to. I had already used my last bail ring and didn’t want to leave the quickdraws so I kept trying. Once I clipped the chains, I had this huge smile across my face. It was a great reminder to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to!
• Favorite place you’ve traveled: Croatia
• Favorite hobbies: Rock climbing, backpacking, photography, graphic design, skiing and surfing. Passionate about
  accessibility in the outdoors, mental health awareness, and live music, and I absolutely love dogs and tacos!
• What are you most excited for this summer? Watching students step out of their comfort zones and to to wear my pink fuzzy cowboy hat as flair!