Evan Pearce

Gym Manager

evan@planetgranite.com

about me

Evan has been utilizing an analytical mind and honed problem-solving skills for over ten years, to improve his climbing ability and accomplish ever more challenging goals, at the crag, on the boulders and in the mountains. At Planet Granite, he loves nothing more than to bring those same skills to bear on efforts to improve the climbing abilities, safety skills and fun levels of new and experienced climbers alike.

Skills

Evan’s greatest strength in climbing is a high tolerance for suffering.

Maryah Barna

Assistant Manager

maryah@planetgranite.com

about me

The name is Maryah a.k.a. Star Pants. I am from the East Coast and have been dancing up rocks for 3 years & working at PG for 2 of them. I still feel new to California and I am so excited to climb all the things! I used to teach high school math, so I am really good with kids of all ages. I have a 12 year old lab named Reese’s and I am also a big football fan. Go Packers! Go Clemson Tigers!

skills

I am skilled in the art of lead climbing, but I boulder and trad climb as well. Before PG, I was a math teacher and love working with kids.

Lucas

Supervisor | Climbing Team Coach

about me

Lucas started climbing at PG in late 2006 with the rock climbing team. When not entering celebrity-look-alike contests, he occasionally rock climbs. Lucas loves bouldering and sport climbing, both inside and outdoors. Currently confused by those strange pieces of metal Trad Climbers use, he hopes to one day figure them out.
classes

Belay Lessons, BRC, B&T, Climbing Team, Climbing/Bouldering Fundamentals, Private Lessons

skills

I am good at all types of bouldering and it is my favorite for sure. I am good with kids. I am also experienced with rope climbing. While my bouldering skills are alright, dancing is my true passion! Especially if Gucci Mane is bumpin’

Justine

Supervisor

about me

Justine rediscovered climbing at the tender age of 21 while finishing up her undergrad at Belmont’s own NDNU. Originally from Fremont, Justine is a Bay Area native with a thirst for adventure. When she’s not climbing she can be found wakeboarding or at the shooting range.

skills

I’m great with kids and parents alike. I enjoy teaching parents and getting them psyched to manage the ropes for their kids. I’m lead certified and proud of my footwork and flexibility on the wall. I’m bouldering V4s-5s and top-roping and leading 5.11s.

Sasha Schwartz

Head Coach

about me

Sasha joined the community as the Head Coach of the Belmont climbing team in May of 2015. He has been climbing and involved in the climbing industry for over 7 years, starting his stint at Twisters Rock Gym, in the Bay Area. Here he learned how to set, coach, and developed a passion for all things climbing. Within coaching his main focus is on getting the team excited about working hard, because he believes it is the key to constant progression. Currently, in his climbing, the emphasis is on building power and strength through bouldering, but he is constantly looking at expanding his horizons into new and exciting climbing endeavors. The time he has spent in immensely beautiful outdoor areas, such as the Lake Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness and the East Side of the Sierras, have made him aware of the need for educating and mentoring upcoming generations of climbers, as was the case with him. It is with this in mind that he hopes to shape and direct young climbers to become responsible participants and stewards of the sport, both indoors and out.

Zoey

Marketing & Events Coordinator

about me

Hey my name Zoey, and I work front desk at Planet Granite Belmont! You might also see me hosting events, if you do be sure to say hello! I started climbing in August 2015 and was immediately hooked.

skills

My favorite things to climb are balance-y technical climbs.

Ryan

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

A recent graduate from University of California, Riverside, Ryan discovered his passion for rock climbing in 2016. He spends most of his time in the fitness area and the bouldering pits. He is very interested in improving his abilities at roped climbing. Ryan has never gone climbing outdoors, but expects to try it for the first time soon. When he is not at PG, Ryan spends most of time with family, hiking around the bay area, attending concerts, and binge watching shows on Netflix.

skills

I mostly boulder at a V4 level and can top rope 5.10 routes.

Edder

Retail Coordinator | Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Bay Area homegrown and organic! “Aged Cheddar” began climbing in the summer of 2010. When not training you can still find him in the gym reading the finest books, that’s right..leather bound! He plays a mean game of chess if you ever fancy a challenge. The mental/physical challenges of climbing are why he still climbs today.

skills

Pays no attention to letters or numbers on the climbing grade..if it looks fun he’ll attempt it. He recommends that you should too!

Alan

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Alan became fascinated with climbing in 2012 on an adventure soloing in the Philippines. He enjoys bouldering and is always working on improving his technique and balance. He feels with the right motivation and willpower, you can achieve anything, whether it be in the gym or outdoors.

skills

Alan enjoys bouldering and feels his strengths are powerful moves. He loves dynos and the adrenaline rush that can come with it.

Grace

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Grace started climbing in 2016 and quickly fell in love with the sport. When she is not trying a new problem in the bouldering rooms you can find her hiking, running, or adventuring with her dog Buddy.

skills

She enjoy long distance running and long traverses on the beach.

Courtney

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

I’ve never been an athlete, even though in college I studied sports medicine, biomechanics and sports psychology. Then in 2011, I fell head over heel hooks at first v0 and couldn’t get up! Just kidding, I got up! I love bouldering super much! Otherwise, I live on the quiet side of life, but am always willing to talk about the little things, words, cats and photographs. =]

skills

I boulder in SF, yoga in Belmont, and lift in Sunnyvale. I guess you can say I like to mix and match!

Elaine

Coach

about me

I grew up in rural areas of Wisconsin and Oregon but didn’t get to enjoy nature through sport until I was an adult. Although I’ve been mountain and road biking for over a decade, climbing is relatively new to me. Even so, in the space of a few months it has become a source of tremendous growth, joy, and community.

skills

I bring a lot of enthusiasm about climbing and a lot of strength. With ten years of experience as a professional educator I love working with both children and adults as partners in learning. My long term goal is to teach all levels of classes at planet granite, and maybe eventually outdoors so I can combine my love of teaching and learning with my love for the climb.

classes

Belay Lessons and private instruction

Travis

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

I grew up in the SF bay area and I love and enjoy the outdoors. I’m an eagle scout and believe that pushing yourself to the limit really tests who you are and what you are made of. I love to surf, snowboard, DH mountain bike, and rock climb. Backpacking is also a passion because you get to see the world and all its beauty. Live and love – that’s what it comes down to; learn from your mistakes, try hard and accept failure because if you’re not failing everyday you’re not trying hard enough. Failure may kill some dreams but you learn from them. Doubt and fear of failure will get you nowhere.

skills

I love to do a number of outdoor activities and have a AS degree in psychology. I enjoy teaching because you get to see how excited people get when experiencing something exciting and new. See you around the gym.

Kayci

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Kayci started bouldering in 2014 at PG Belmont, and learned to lead climb six months later. You can often find her working on the new bouldering set, but she is most excited about sport climbing. She is currently studying kinesiology, fitness and nutrition, and business, and is a great resource for fitness-related information. One day she may have her own personal training practice, but for now you can find her smiling and working hard in the gym, at school, and at the Belmont Front Desk.

Conor

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Conor is a Bay Area native who started climbing back in 2008. His first love in climbing has always been bouldering, but he also enjoys the occasional roped climb, and is looking to improve his rope skills and knowledge. Conor loves bringing new climbers into the fold, so feel free to say hi and ask for beta!

skills

I love the joy that comes with teaching. I am super motivated about my workout routine so if you need some help coming up with your own, i’m your man. Oh, and I’ve perfected the art of Blue Steel, so watch out!

Roxanne

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Roxanne rediscovered climbing about a year and a half ago and has been in love with it since. She thinks climbing is an exciting sport because there are always new problems to solve and beautiful places to climb. If you don’t see her in the blue shirt or in the science buildings at San Francisco State University, you’ll find her riding her bike, hiking through forests, or swimming. She also enjoys film photography, a good book, and astronomy.

Ben

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

I began climbing in 2010. I enjoy art, books, and the outdoors. I mostly Boulder in the gym. I mostly go to Tuolumne for outdoor climbing.

skills

Mostly boulder.

Andrew

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

I was born in the Pacific Northwest and love getting outside. You might find me climbing one weekend and skiing the next. I began surfing after moving to California, but I still feel more solid on rock. I am passionate about climbing, as well as writing music and sharing my enthusiasm with others.

Skills

I have gained experience in many physical arts. Through martial arts, dance, and team sports, I have found the important connection between movement and intention. I can help you figure out the crux or improve your backhand with a Frisbee!

Aaron

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Aaron started climbing in high school to fulfill a P.E. requirement and quickly realized how much fun it was. He mostly climbs indoors, but his favorite outdoor destination is Bishop. When he is not climbing, Aaron likes to mountain bike and shoot photos.

skills

Bouldering on jugs, amateur Lucas impersonator, and photography

Christopher

Coach

about me

Chris started climbing in 2009 on the PG Belmont climbing team when he was 14 years old, and has been climbing ever since. He loves to sport climb and loves Owens River Gorge, but you can often find him in the bouldering rooms as well. If he isn’t climbing in the gym you can find him climbing outdoors, biking, or skateboarding.