Mark Baker

I was raised in the heart of the Indiana flatlands where I developed my love of the outdoors through scouting (I am a bona fide Eagle Scout) and summer family camping trips. Swim team and water skiing lead to snow skiing and many ski trips to northern Michigan, the Rockies and Sierras. But, as much as I loved the mountains, I stayed tied to my roots. I studied pre-med and eventually ended up working in IT, go figure. That background served me well as my wife, son and I left Indiana for short stint in California before settling in Wisconsin.

I was introduced to rock climbing as a climbing team parent and was continually amazed at what my kid was able to do.  It wasn’t until many years later that he encouraged me to try climbing for myself and I was hooked. For me climbing is a magical blend of physical, mental and emotional challenges. What I love most is being able to introduce others into that world; to see the look in their eyes when they accomplish things on the wall that they previously thought weren’t achievable. I feel honored to be able to do that while enjoying the incredible natural resources that we have right in our own backyard.

Nowadays I have set the corporate life aside, so you might just as easily find me at the climbing gym, at the lake or playing bass guitar for one of Madison’s local rock bands. It’s my privilege to share my enthusiasm for our sport with our clients.