Our Mission:
To promote climbing, provide a resource for responsible development and conservation of climbing areas, and to encourage the etiquette, education, and safety of the Southern Idaho climbing community.
Meet the Board:
Steve Dodd – Chair
I grew up in Twin Falls and learned to climb at Dierkes. Despite my best efforts to be gypsy trash I relocated back to Hailey after several years of traveling and climbing. Many of the climbing areas I’ve traveled to are on public lands, and I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for management agencies to simply say “no” to particular activities if those user groups don’t present a cohesive voice. I want SICC to be a productive conduit for working with land management agencies/land owners and also provide tangible benefit to climbers through route and hardware maintenance.
Becky Wildman – Vice Chair
Originally from Salt Lake City, I’ve lived in the Magic Valley since 1997. My husband is an old-school climber, but I didn’t start climbing until my kids showed an interest and friends invited us to City of Rocks and Dierkes. My favorite things about climbing are the mental/physical challenges at every level of climbing, and the social/community aspect around climbing. I’m grateful we have a local climbing gym, and great outdoor climbing crags, as they both play a roles in a strong climbing community. I am all about promoting climbing by encouraging others, supporting climbing education and etiquette, and working to conserve our climbing areas. I am excited to see if we can increase access to crags in the Southern Idaho area as climbing can support our quality of place by being both a draw for tourists, and by offering more recreational opportunities for our residents.
Tyler McOmber – Treasurer
My love for climbing began in Pocatello, Idaho while attending Idaho State University. Free access to the indoor wall and climbing gear made participation easy (the first hit was free). Taking climbing breaks quickly became an essential part of maintaining my sanity during the coursework gauntlet. After moving to Twin Falls in 2017, the outdoor climbing scene was introduced to me after linking up with some local climbing thugs. Being on the local cliff sides was mind blowing to my gym climber mind. Weekly climbs at the local crags fueled the flames of my climbing habit, which now dominates my free time. I feel incredibly fortunate to live so close to seemingly unlimited climbing resources and to associate with the climbing community. Serving on the SICC board is an opportunity to give back to the climbing community that has contributed to the resources I consistently take advantage of.
Taylor Belin – Secretary
I was born and raised in Twin Falls County, I started climbing in 2018 and have been obsessed with climbing ever since. The summer of 2019- 2020 I was on the board as the treasurer, I took some time off to finish school. I am now working as a Registered Nurse and ready to do my part and bring some stoke! Climbing has affected my life in such a positive way I would really like to help build the community to educate and spread the joys of climbing with others.
Ben Lyda – Access
Ben was born and raised in Twin Falls, ID. After moving away for many years he was
drawn back to the Magic Valley in 2013 because of his love for the area and the
outdoors. He started rock climbing at the City of Rocks and Dierkes Lake back in the 90’s and was instantly hooked. He has a great love for the sport and is excited to see how much it has grown in our community. Through relationships and connections he has built throughout Southern Idaho, he hopes to help gain access to new and even closed crags.
Ian Cavanaugh – Maintenance
My climbing career started in my senior year of high school. My first outdoor climbing trip was to the City of Rocks in 2003 where I fell in love with not only that amazing place but also this amazing activity. Since then I have climbed in 10 different states and 9 countries over 3 continents. In 2008 I began my journey of route development and maintenance. Since my first time picking up a drill, I have learned through experience just how much work goes into developing routes and crags that we are all able to climb and enjoy. As time goes on, these routes we climb again and again require maintenance in order to ensure they are not only safe but also don’t damage the rock ensuring their existence for decades to come. During my time with SICC, I hope to help many of Southern Idaho’s amazing crags remain safe and enjoyable for many years to come. Climbing has given me so much in life and I feel that it is my duty to give back to this incredible community and destinations.
Tony Roberts – Community
I was born and raised in Twin Falls and began my climbing addiction in 2014. I currently own several local businesses including Twin Fall’s premier climbing shop, Magic Valley Gear Exchange. I have been with SICC since its inception, serving on the board from 2016 to 2019. I believe learning and education in climbing are life-long endeavors. I am an AMGA-certified Single Pitch Instructor, a climbing instructor at CSI, a route developer, and a serious aficionado of tasty street tacos. I love being involved with everything SICC stands for and I am dedicated to helping our climbing community grow and develop.