Mike:
I’ve been climbing since ’91 and have climbed in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California, and Oregon, as well as Mexico and Thailand. Much of this has been on technical rock, with ropes and all the necessary gear. I would only describe my level of expertise as moderate, with many more folks being way more talented. It has been big fun these past 20 years and has provided me with many stories and epic tales to tell well into my golden years!
I graduated in December of 1983 and lived in the Arlington/Ft. Worth area until 1999. I bounced back and forth between Texas and California for several years and have been in San Diego since 2004. I have been in the fence business for 35 years and currently am a project manager for a fencing contractor here in the San Diego area, Legend Fence Corp. I am very indebted to my employer for allowing me the time off to get to Nepal.
I climb and skydive, as well as mountain bike and surf. (I took surfing up in 2006 and now go several times a week, including dawn patrol before work—the best way to start the day!). I also bought a Harley in 2008 and spend as much time as possible on the road.
Mike has four children and one grandchild—with more on the way. He is engaged to be married next year.
John:
An El Paso native, John graduated from Austin College in 1983. He and his wife, Jody DiBona Clark ’84, celebrated their 27th anniversary this year. The couple has two children, Josh 22 and Jeremy 18, and the family has lived in Evergreen, Colorado, since 1996. Mike joined the Air Force after graduating and flew F-16s before going to work for United Airlines in 1995. He now flies the Boeing 777 internationally for United. Jody is a middle school math teacher in the Denver area.