Due to an unfortunate circumstance Roger was unable to make it to the 2010 Ice Fest, but the good news is HE’S BACK! Roger undoubtedly will have a great show and many exciting stories to tell at this year’s event!
The closest approximation to king-crab fishing, Roger Strong says, is single-push alpine climbing. “Only you can’t take rest days in the Bering Sea,” he says. “You basically get your ass kicked for four months straight.” Strong is an accomplished all-around climber who is best known as the captain on the first two seasons of the Deadliest Catch on the Discovery channel. Read the complete Rock and Ice article here!
Roger grew up in Denver, Colorado scrambling up peaks and skiing with his family. After high school, he pursued commercial fishing to allow time to follow his passions in the mountains. As the Captain of a crab-fishing vessel in the Bering Sea, Alaska has allowed him to Rock and Ice climb 6-8 months a year. Roger lives in Seattle, Washington and is one of the leading activists in modern mixed climbing in the Pacific Northwest. His first ascent of Guru, Washington’s first M9, a couple of years ago and most recently, Ghost Dog, that state’s first M11, has inspired new attitudes towards the Northwest’s fickle winter season. Roger has climbed in Spain, Mexico, Canada, Alaska and all over the Western United States and red-pointed the Cineplex test pieces, Rocky Mountain Horror Show (M11+) and Musashi (M12), In Alberta, Canada.
He has established Big Wall test pieces in Yosemite and Washington, and loves being on anything vertical for long periods of time. Along with Rob Owens and Sean Isaac, the support of the Arcteryx Evolution-in-Action Grant and Mugs Stump Award, they established a difficult new route up the North Face of Kichatna Spire, calling it The Voice of Unreason. Roger attributes any success he has in the mountains to the basis he has gained from the rigors of crab fishing and his close relationships with climbing partners, including his wife and many friends. Roger also confides that more important than the difficulties or ratings that attracts his pursuits, is the freedom and experience you have while getting there, believing there is no such thing as failure.
One of the nicest climbers you will ever meet, this won’t be Rogers first rodeo at the Michigan Ice Fest. He was a featured presenter and instructor at the 2006 fest and we are very fortunate to have him back. A big thank you goes out to our Gold Level sponsor, Arc Teryx for sending Roger to our event.