Ambassador Spotlight | Irene Yee
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Q: What’s your climbing style?
A: Beached Whale Will Power
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment in climbing, and outside of climbing?
A: My proudest accomplishment in climbing so far was putting up a first ascent off-width climb I named Llamacorn. It was never something I even thought I could accomplish, but I found that impossible mythical beast! Outside of climbing my proudest accomplishment has been toasting and finishing an entire bag of strawberry marshmallows in one night with Ashley Cracroft.
Q: What advice would you give to your first-year climbing self?
A: Never lose your psyche. When the climbing gets too frustrating, climb something for fun and remember why you fell in love in the first place.
Q: Who do you take advice from and why?
A: Everyone. It’s about expanding your worldview, though having a strong filter is key. Advice is a personal choice, and you must realize you may or may not agree with everyone’s choices.
Q: How has your training for climbing changed in the last year?
A: I have made a move to focus on things that are non-climbing but will ultimately help with climbing in the end. Running and fitness classes train a lot of stuff climbing tends to leave out endurance, strong legs, and overall fitness. I’m not training to climb 13s; I’m training so I can climb for the rest of my life.
Q: How has climbing affected the people you surround yourself with?
A: I surround myself with more people! Climbing has been a social outlet for me. It has created such a wonderful community that no matter where you are if you meet a climber, you know you can interact.
Q: What have you done to give back to the climbing community?
A: I give photos to the climbing community. I share to show that a multitude of people found the joy of climbing, so we can all revel in the wonderful crag day, the 5.8 send or the 5.14 send. I also volunteer with my local climbing organization and refill WagBag boxes in my climbing area. It's the least I can do on my way to the crag, pack it in so you can pack it out!
Q: What have you learned from failure?
A: Failing is easy; choosing to get back up and keep going is the hard part. Sometimes the task seems impossible, but it is the most I’ve ever learned about myself. It is those times when I learn just how strong I am.
Q: Who are the climbers that inspire you the most, and why?
A: My friends!!! Nothing inspires me more than seeing those I know best accomplish goals beyond their own belief. You get to be a part of that experience, and nothing moves me more than a crag day with my friends.
Q: What is your favorite climbing location, and why?
A: Vedauwoo, WY. It’s been my favorite for a while now. I love the style of climbing, the camping, and the hurt of being shut down again and again and again…yeah…oh and the Rec Center has a waterslide.
Q: Why Butora Climbing?
A: Because they agreed to take on a normal person like me, the Altura is proving to be a superior off-width shoe.
Q: What are your favorite before and after climbing meals?
A: Before, donuts; After, Ice cream. There’s a bunch of other stuff in between, but if I had a choice they would always be bookended with those two things.
Q: What is your spirit animal?
A: A Llamacorn. Weird, yet magical.
Questions from the Internet
These are questions our visitors have asked.
Q: What differences have you found in climbing Narsha versus climbing in Acro?
A: I’ll tell you when the sport climbing starts back up in my life.
Q: What tips would you give new outdoor climbers about crag etiquette?
A: You’re a good person in life why would it be any different at the crag? Be polite in trying to accomplish your daily goals, ask if you’re unsure, and clean up after yourself. You wouldn’t poop on the floor of your house, why would you poop on the trail?
Q: What tips would you give someone stuck on their project? How do you stay motivated when you are stuck?
A: When you find out please let me know. Though I do find some time away can always be helpful. Sometimes your mind gets too used to a problem that it shuts out different possibilities. You focus on your inability to do the problem rather than opening your mind to new possibilities to complete the problem.
Read more about Irene Yee here. You may also check out our next Ambassador, Maxwell Hugh Snyder
