Carsten Schnatwinkel

I am originally from the Northwest of Germany and grew up playing semi-professional soccer, skiing in the Alps and Norway, as well as enjoying track and field. At the age of 17, my love for the outdoors flourished. From day hikes to backpacking trips all over the world to fourth class scrambles, but it was not until 2003 that I followed another passion: Climbing! After moving to the “Elbsandsteingebirge in Saxony” for my Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology, I noticed people climbing with a simple harness, no chalk and only knots tied into pieces of webbing for their protection. It was with these simple practices that I started rock climbing!

Since then, I have upgraded my climbing gear and pursued climbing as a lifestyle and profession. Colorado is my new home, but climbing offered me to explore and experience many wonderful places around the globe. South America, New Zealand, Alaska and the European Alps.

When not exploring mother earth while backpacking, rock or ice climbing, I can usually be found on different adventures with my two year old daughter. I am an AMGA certified Single Pitch Instructor, have completed the AMGA Alpine, Ice and Rock Instructor Courses as well as my AIARE Avalanche Level 1 and 2 course.