Andy Raether

It would be hard to talk about the best American sport climbers without bringing up Andy. He’s motivated, talented, sick strong, and obsessed. When not climbing, Andy fondles anything that resembles a climbing hold (e.g., doorjambs, raw potatoes, lampshades, etc.).
As our bouldering adventures progress, I watch Andy religiously log every problem he climbs, from V0 to V13. Often, after a day of climbing, Andy administers electrotherapy to his guns to aid recovery or spends a half-hour working his Gripmaster training device “to get ready for routes.” Another peculiar habit of Andy’s is his hand-massage routine, which involves briskly rubbing his knuckles together, and then interlinking them to massage his thrashed tendons. This ritual gives him the look of a twitchy methhead, but, according to Andy, “At least my fingers are healthy.”

My first day there, out at the Roadside Boulders, I catch Andy shoeing up for his project of the morning.
“What are you working on?” I ask.
“I think it’s called Nutsa,” says Andy.
“Nutsack?” I ask, feigning shock.
“No, Nutsa — it’s like V12 or something.”
“Wow, what a weird name — Nutsack,” I reply, continuing with the joke.
“It does kind of look like a nutsack, now that you mention it,” he responds with a thoughtful look. Andy takes his climbing seriously, but at heart he’s a goofball joker, like the rest of us. And so, we set the bar nice and low, where it will remain for the rest of the trip.

Contributing Editor Cedar Wright has traveled to Africa, Baffin Island, India, Nepal, Spain, and South America to climb the big stones. After his recent trip to the Rocklands, he’s become a devout boulderer, as well.