Glenn Poole

I was born in Pasco County, Florida, far from any mountains. But my mom remembers me tying all kinds of knots into whatever cord I could find as a small child. When I was 10 we moved to New Jersey, where I got to run around the Watchung Mountains and clamber up trees. Eventually I started climbing the indoor rock wall at Rutgers University, an ideal active rest day between training sessions for ultimate frisbee tournaments. Ultimate was my passion for 20+ years, but I always appreciated the movement and mindfulness that I experienced at the climbing gym.

After college I taught English in Germany for a year, then moved to DC to work at nonprofits and play semi-pro ultimate frisbee. It wasn't until after I moved to Madison for grad school that I got to climb real rocks for the first time. Classmate and DLCG guide Jerry Dryer introduced me to Devil's Lake in fall 2019, and the experience opened up a whole new world of adventure for me. Since then I've traveled all over the country to climb at classic crags like Joshua Tree, Red Rocks, Red River Gorge, the Black Hills, Bear Lodge, and more - plus a couple not-so-classic places!

As exciting as those adventures have been, I still stop to appreciate the majesty of The Lake every time I hike up the CCC trail to the East Bluff (it's also a nice opportunity to catch one's breath!). Climbing here continues to challenge and inspire me, and I am ever grateful for the opportunity to share those experiences with others.