McBride On Fire in Bishop

Kelly McBride visited Bishop in mid-December, and came away with a handful of high-level sends. Most impressive was Center Direct (V10) at the Peabodies, which local Wills Young calls “extremely tough for shorter climbers.”

During her short visit, McBride also climbed Bubba Gump (V9/V10) at the Peabodies, and Low Rider (V10) and Cholos (V9) at the Happy Boulders. Last July, she did the Kind Traverse (V11) in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Climbing.com asked McBride a few questions as she traveled back to her home in Fort Collins.

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Short person’s beta: McBride used a right toe hook to hold herself in for the crucial move to this crimp on Center Direct. Photo by Jeff Sillcox.

Climbing: Who’s Kelly McBride? Give us the snapshot.

McBride: I am 24, and I am originally from Appleton, Wisconsin. I am headed into my last semester at Colorado State University, and after many semesters off to take climbing trips I am going to end up with a bachelor’s in Natural Resources, Recreation and Tourism.

Climbing: What’s your favorite place to boulder?

McBride: Right now I am pretty psyched on Bishop, but I have to say I really enjoy the Poudre Canyon.

Climbing: Where would you most like to go to climb that you haven’t been yet?

McBride: Switzerland, Squamish, and South Africa.

Climbing: What’s the longest time you've ever spent on a project?

McBride: I have a project that I have been trying for over a year now. I hate it, but I can’t stop going back. It is The Tempest (V9/V10) in Vedauwoo,

Wyoming. I think I have fallen off the last move over 50 times. I joke about it, but somehow I am still psyched on it, and I hope I will go back and do it someday.

Climbing: Who’s the most inspiring climber to you?

McBride: That’s a tough one. I would have to say Lisa Rands and Angie Payne.

McBride on Cholos (V9), Happy Boulders. Photo by Brian Camp.