Ambassador Spotlight | Christopher Deuto
Hometown: Idaho Springs, CO
Q: What’s your climbing style?
A: Power.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment in climbing, and outside of climbing?
A: Kinky Reggae 5.14a, and working to be positive and happy every day.
Q: What advice would you give to your first year climbing self?
A: Keep your feet on, and less negativity.
Q: Who do you take advice from and why?
A: My coaches at team BRC, and my parents. I take advice from these people because they have helped me become the climber and person I am today.
Q: How has your training for climbing changed in the last year?
A: It has gotten more specific in terms of technique. My training has also gotten more difficult, (regarding fitness and strength) and it will continue to.
Q: How has climbing affected the people you choose to surround yourself with?
A: I choose to surround myself with the most positive people in school and in my climbing world.
Q: What have you done to give back to the climbing community?
A: I have always cleaned up trash, and this past couple of years I have gotten really psyched on completing first ascents. I always try to be a positive influence on the younger kids involved in climbing.
Q: What have you learned from failure?
A: FAIL- First Attempt In Learning. I have learned to trust the process, not just the outcome.
Q: Who are the climbers that inspire you the most and why?
A: Nalle Hukkataival and Chris Sharma, because they share a similar style of rock climbing, and both of them are always doing first ascents of the coolest lines out there.
Q: What is your favorite climbing location and why?
A: Hueco Tanks, Texas. This place was my dad’s old stomping grounds, and there is just a special feeling I get when I go there.
Q: Why Butora Climbing?
A: It was my second trip to one of my favorite climbing areas, the famed Enchanted Tower, in New Mexico. My project for the trip was an amazing 5.13a called Goliath. Because of my dad knowing and previously living with Ian and Cynthia Hannah, they and their son Ben were also on the trip with us. I was very close to sending Goliath, but it had not happened yet. The morning of the last day, Ben offered me his Acro to try. I wore them and sent Goliath, my third ever 13a and my proudest send to date. In the months following, I bought myself a pair, and eventually, I wrote a letter to Butora asking if I could be an ambassador. I have always thought that Butora is more like a large family. They take such good care of their athletes, they are nice, and most of all, they make and sell every single pair of shoes like it’s their best batch yet.
Q: What are your favorite before and after climbing meals?
A: Whatever is available.
Q: What is your spirit animal?
A: Snow Leopard.
Questions from the Internet
Q: What differences have you found in climbing Narsha versus climbing in Acro?
A: The Narsha is a very stiff shoe. Much more stiff than the Acro. I would say the Acro is a little bit more comfortable. So for longer days, I wear the Acro. The Narsha is a shoe that I am just beginning to like. I have found that it is my dream shoe for bouldering.
Q: What are some tips you would give to new outdoor climbers about crag etiquette?
A: Always clean up trash, even if it doesn’t belong to you. Also, it is polite to stay quite during another climber’s send burn.
Q: Tips you would give to someone who is stuck on their project? How do you stay motivated when you are stuck?
A: I prefer to watch videos of others climbing on my project, if at all possible. Also maybe take a little time off of it. I have found that if you’re feeling burnt out on something, take some time off and the motivation will come right back.
Q: How have you overcome fear in climbing (fear of falling, fear of failure, etc.)?
A: My biggest fear is the fear of failure. I like to think of the process, not the outcome.
Check out our next Ambassador, Miriam Borgstrom
