Ariel has been in love with the outdoors since she was a child. Hiking, biking, camping, fishing, wildlife, photography, archery, and free diving are just a few of her passions. Nature and the outdoors is firmly ingrained. Ariel began rock climbing in 2003. She enjoys trad multi-pitch routes and believes there is no freer feeling than spending the day on the side of a rock formation. Ariel has a degree in Psychology and is the founder and trainer of a dog training and behavior company in San Diego County. Ariel has dedicated her time and efforts to our local Chapter for the past 5 years. In 2023, she accepted the position as San Diego Chapter Chair.

East Buttress of El Capitan, Yosemite NP

In August 2015, Tyler reluctantly went to a climbing gym for the first time, and never looked back. Since that day he has fervently worked on developing his skills as a climber and fine-tuning his systems to be a proficient partner and guide. His favorite place to climb is Red Rock Canyon National Park in Nevada where he’s spent countless hours on some of the best sandstone around. When he isn’t climbing, he’s spending time with his daughter, Jordan, working full time at a hearing aid clinic in San Diego, or thinking about climbing. Tyler loves introducing people to the world of climbing and is eager to share his knowledge and passion for it with others.

Patrick began climbing soon after he moved to California from Memphis, TN in 2019 and immediately fell in love. It wasn’t his plan to stay in CA, but the rock called and he felt he must answer. Soon he found himself addicted to crack (climbing) and enjoys trad multi pitch most of all. He got certified as an SPI a few years after and now guides part time. He loves giving back to the climbing community that welcomed him with such open arms. He had many mentors along the way and now loves getting the chance to pay it forward and return the favor. During the week he works in Logistics but mostly thinks of climbing all day. When he is not climbing he enjoys snuggling his dog, playing guitar and listening to music, or snuggling his other dog.

Though Kaz came to climbing later in life, his imagination was captured by the mountains at a young age. But it was only after joining a gym--and then the AAC--that Kaz finally found his true passion for climbing. Along the way, he met a bunch of great people--some of whom became valuable friends and mentors--and has been eager to give back to the climbing community ever since. These days, Kaz escapes San Diego in search of fun sport routes in Joshua Tree and ice climbing in the Canadian Rockies. And when not climbing, you can find Kaz at the San Diego Zoo, at the beach, or out sailing with fellow chair Tyler Dandurand.