| Bryan Becker |
Photo by Stewart Green |
Bryan began climbing in the Garden of the Gods and Cheyenne Canyon. In the winter he would remember wiping the 2 feet of snow off the handholds so he could keep climbing. It was this passion that got him into the ice climbing scene. Bryan started ice climbing at the age of 16 with Brian Teale. A year after that he studied abroad in France. Eventually making his way to Chamonix to solo the North face of Aiguille de Triolet. Making this the first solo ascent of the direct. Also climbing the N face of Les Droites with Billy Westbay and establishing a First Ascent on Mt. Blanc in 1976. During this trip Bryan started guiding under Dougal Haston.
Bryan went back and fourth guiding between New Hampshire and Colorado. His time in Colorado was not wasted. He spent much of his time establishing new routes in the Black Canyon with friends. Just to name a few: the FA of the Nose of Chasm View with Earl, the FA of the Hallucinogen Wall (and the direct start later). He climbed a solo ascent of "The Dragon Route" on The Painted Wall in 1979. The first grade VI soloed in Colorado.
In 1978 he spent a month climbing and establishing new routes in the Kichatna Spires. Right after that in 1979 Brian Teale and Becker made the first one day ascent of The Grand Central Couloir on Mt Kitchener. He has 4 ascents of Aconcagua. Perhaps one of Bryan's most notable alpine routes he's established is the Denali Diamond on the S face of Denali. The climb involved thirty-seven pitches, Becker described as "the most difficult, sustained, mixed aid/ice pitch of my life."
These days Bryan does rigging for governmental and private companies, he has rigged for Galen Rowell. He owns his own company called Lichen Mountain Works and currently lives in Manitou Springs with his wife Carolyn. He has three children all living on their own. |
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