Let’s explore what life as a climbing ranger at one of the premier parks for mountain climbing in the world, Rocky Mountain National Park. We discuss what climbing is like, search and rescue, and the famous Longs Peak on this episode of Podcasts with Park Rangers.

Show Notes found at: https://www.virtualkamper.com/pwpr10/
Help keep the show on the road: https://www.patreon.com/virtualkamper/

Podcast Resources:

* Episode 9: Rocky Mountain National Park – Alpine Tundra
* Rocky Mountain National Park: Backpacking the North Inlet Trail
* Rocky Mountain National Park NPS website
* Colorado Encyclopedia: Longs Peak
* Wikipedia: Longs Peak
* REI: Famous US Summits — Longs Peak

Topics Covered

* About Ranger Kevin
* How Kevin Got Into Climbing
* Typical Day For A Climbing Ranger
* What is Climbing?
* At what point is rope necessary?
* Yosemite Decimal System
* Bouldering
* How Much Is Actual Climbing Done On The Job?
* Seasonality of Rocky Mountain National Park as a Climbing Ranger
* Longs Peak
* Longs Peak Shelter
* Other Climbs at Rocky
* Why Kevin Combined His Passion and His Career
* Favorite Thing About Being a Climbing Ranger?
* Favorite thing about Rocky Mountain National Park?
* Ranger Kevin’s Love for Rocky Mountain National Park and the NPS
* Volunteer.gov
* Thanks to Our Listeners – Let’s Connect More!

About Ranger Kevin
Kevin Sturmer was a climber before he even knew what climbing rangers were. After college, he moved to Colorado and loves the state for its climbing and skiing. He was also a river guide for a while and met his wife this way.
Climbing is his favorite thing to do, and because the hobby puts you in remote places, it’s difficult to get help if you get hurt. Many of his friends were EMTs, and he decided to do the same and became a paramedic.
Kevin found out about being a climbing ranger through a good friend also had the job. He wasn’t exactly sure what he was getting himself into, but he got lucky being able to combine his passion with his medical training.
How Kevin Got Into Climbing
Kevin grew up in New York and went to school in Massachusetts. And though he dabbled with climbing a bit in college, it wasn’t until moving to Colorado that he got bit by the climbing bug.
Typical Day For A Climbing Ranger
Most of the job requires rangers to be out in the backcountry. In the winter there’s ski patrol,