MAXIM Athlete Team
Jonathan Siegrist
My passion is rock climbing, exploration and being a part of this amazing community!
What drives you to climb harder?
The cycle of preparing for a challenge, dedicating myself to it fully and then feeling the sense of accomplishment if / when it comes to fruition.
Biggest lesson after a fall?
Depends on the fall! Usually it’s around precision in movement or making an incremental change to my climbing process. Sometimes rarely it’s around better analyzing risk. Sometimes it’s about patience! I fall a lot so the lessons are many!
Why MAXIM?
Most durable, most reliable ropes on the market and a great group of people to work with.
Which MAXIM rope do you love most – and why?
Airliner. Burly like a 10mm but super light and handles like a skinny rope!
Highlights / Achievements
Over 90 5.14d (9a) and harder. Traditional climbing up to 14b (8c). Multipitch up to 14b (8c). Hundreds of first ascents up to 15b (9b).
Try Hard!
Patxi Usobiaga
Climbing makes me feel alive.
What drives you to climb harder?
Seeking to surpass myself every day.
Biggest lesson after a fall?
That I have another chance to enjoy doing what I love most.
Why MAXIM?
I need to feel secure to be able to focus solely on climbing.
Which MAXIM rope do you love most – and why?
Airliner gives me the security I need without barely feeling the rope.
Highlights / Achievements
Competition Achievements:
World Champion in Climbing: 2009 and Runner-up: 2003-2005-2007
Winner of the Climbing World Cup: 2006-2007
European Champion in Climbing: 2008
Achievements in Rock Climbing:
First climber in history to complete an 8c+ route on sight: December 2007
In addition to several world-renowned classics such as: Biographie 9a+, Action Direct 9a, LA Rambla 9a+, Pachamama 9a+, Papichulo 9a+, and bolted reference routes like Il Domani 9a.
¡A muerte!
Mich Kemeter
Do it or don't. There is no trying.
What drives you to climb harder?
It’s like solving a difficult puzzle. To understand movements which hasn’t been done, drives me to climb more precise, technical and effective. That’s why I love to establish new routes. And suddenly there is this Flow-state where I deeply feel more alive than every where else.
Biggest lesson after a fall?
Only trust in the best possible gear.
Why MAXIM?
Maxim leave nothing to chance. It is for me the epitome of perfection where i daily trust my life too. No matter what my outdoor pursuits are, those ropes are my perfect partner.
Which MAXIM rope do you love most – and why?
The Airliner: It’s thin, durable and the perfect companion combined in one piece of perfection.
Highlights / Achievements
7 Slackline Worldrecords
First Ascents sport routes up to 9a/+
First Ascents solo multi pitch routes up to 9a
Spent 63 nights on the wall to free my multi pitch route in a day: Weg durch Hedis Kaiserschmarrn 8c/+, 400m
Base Jumper
Solo Base Climber
Regeneration Mentor
Speaker
World traveler with my beautiful companion Rose
Do it or don’t.
There is no trying! Real life begins where the comfort zone ends and alway remember: Never give up. Neither on your dreams. Go for it. All we have is NOW!
Cat Runner
Standing at a staggering 5-feet, Cat is proudly on #TeamShorty and has spent the last decade taking down some of the US's most notorious anti-shorty climbs including Dogleg (Red River Gorge), Biggie Shorty (Chattanooga), and Atari (Bishop, CA).
What drives you to climb harder?
My favorite part of climbing is getting to engage with flow state and I’m motivated to get better so I can activate flow state in harder and harder sequences.
Biggest lesson after a fall?
Don’t necessarily be negligent or reckless with your safety but it’s okay to take some risks because they might pay off and you’ll still likely be okay if they don’t.
Why MAXIM?
MAXIM has a reputation for high-quality, trustworthy gear. I’m able focus more on my climbing when I don’t have to worry about what happens when I eventually find myself hanging at the end of the rope.
Which MAXIM rope do you love most – and why?
I like the MAXIM Pinnacle Series and MAXIM Signature Series of ropes. I enjoy a mid-thickness rope because it gives me peace of mind but remains lightweight.
Highlights / Achievements
Winner – HBO’s The Climb
Sent – Dogleg, Red River Gorge
Sent – Biggie Shorty, Chattanooga
2024 – Obtained AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Certification
Commit to the Shit.
Klemen Bečan
I'm a climber and I like to climb and do everything connected to climbing. In the wall is where I am happy human
What drives you to climb harder?
I enjoy climbing. Moving up the wall (or tree) and focusing on every single move to get to the top. Difficulty was never my main goal; I just wanted to climb the most fun stuff that I could find. Surprisingly, most of the time that was the hard stuff 🙂
Biggest lesson after a fall?
Always make a knot on the end of the rope, and life will be less painful. Falling is part of climbing, and I believe that if you don’t fall, you are not trying hard enough
Why MAXIM?
I like to fall and fly. And I like to be stopped before the ground. Maxim has the ropes that can do that job the best!
Which MAXIM rope do you love most – and why?
New Airliner 9.0
Highlights / Achievements
– Climbing for over 35 years and still loving it as on day 1
– 3x 9a+
– some 8c on sight (one FA, first graded 8c+ but later downgraded to 8c)
– bolted many cool lines around Europe that other humans can enjoy
– 1st place on World Cup competition in Lead climbing, 2nd in boulder
– helping a human progress in one week from 6b to 7a
Enjoy climbing,
no matter what.
Tunç Fındık
As a professional climber, exploring new rock & ice routes and exploring my own borders in the extreme altitude is my life. As a mountain guide I share the passion for others, and as a motivational speaker I can influence people.
What drives you to climb harder?
Creating new climbing routes is a huge motivation for me, and trad climbing on multi pitch rock walls is an addiction, as well as climbing on icefall routes.
Biggest lesson after a fall?
Falls are unevitable- and generally come in the most unexpected moments- so be prepared! And after the fall, rise up again.
Why MAXIM?
Because it is sturdy and strong.
Which MAXIM rope do you love most – and why?
Double rope ‘Unity’- because I really use it most, it is a very utilitarian, multi use rope. On a long multi pitch rock wall this skinny double rope is easy and light to manipulate, offers very good energy absorbing capacity on case of falls on questionable trad runners and takes punishment well- for such a thin rope has durability over edges and in rough rock and in continous prolonged use. Also being dry, it does not absorb water so i can use this rope on frozen icefalls as twin rope and in glacier travel as single strand.
Highlights / Achievements
More than 850 first ascents on multi pitch rock walls & frozen icefalls up to 300m, first ascents of many rock peaks and many first winter ascents. Total 16 8000.meter peaks summitted, finished 14x8000m project as 49th in the world, most of them without oxygen.
Enjoy what you do, do what you enjoy.
Brittany Goris
Professional climber and full time dirtbag in search of the world's best cracks and wildest, most beautiful places and experiences.
What drives you to climb harder?
I want to be the kind of person who sees things not for what they are, but what they could be; the kind of person who believes in the impossible, and inspires others to do the same. The harder I try, the closer I get to the very best version of myself and my ultimate potential.
Biggest lesson after a fall?
The sooner you get back on the horse and try again, the less time fear has to take root and hold you back.
Why MAXIM?
The ropes are indestructible!
Which MAXIM rope do you love most – and why?
The Airliner has been my go-to for years, they are somehow both thin enough to be a sending rope, yet durable enough for projecting- the best of both worlds!
Highlights / Achievements
First female accent of many of the nation’s hardest crack climbs, including Stingray, City Park, Hot Pork Sunday, From Switzerland With Love, No Way Jose, and more, multiple successful free climbs on El Cap, as well as being one among the first 10 women in the world to climb 5.14 on trad gear.
“Keep dreaming, stay hungry, and remember that there is no finish line.” -Todd Skinner
April Davidson
I'm April, a rock climber based in Las Vegas. I'm just here to have fun, climb some rocks, eat great food, and live my best life possible!
What drives you to climb harder?
I found climbing later in life so I never expected to send hard grades. I climb for fun, to work on myself and become a better person then I was before. I find that the lessons in climbing often translate to other areas in life. I think it makes me more humble, kind to myself and others, and able to handle challenges in everyday life with more grace.
Biggest lesson after a fall?
A fall is feedback, not failure. Keep trying and don’t give up.
Why MAXIM?
I’ve trusted my life with Maxim for over 6 years now. I have never had them fail me yet!
Which MAXIM rope do you love most – and why?
I love the Airliner. It’s sleek and light weight.
Highlights / Achievements
Since I started climbing later in life, my goals were never to compete for hard grades. For me it was always about having an adventurous life, and living to the fullest. In my younger years before I even knew about climbing, I never would have dreamed of all the places I’ve been now. Climbing has opened a whole new world for me in so many ways. My highlights and achievements aren’t defined by grades, but rather the far away places I’ve been to, the mountains I’ve climbed that few get to see, the people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, and the experiences that are shaping me into the person I am becoming.
How you do anything is how you do everything.
Justin Salas
World Champion Para-climber in the B2 Category Know, as one of the strongest blind climbers in history
What drives you to climb harder?
I like climbing at my limit because I like the journey of progressing. Everyday I want to be better then I was yesterday. learning new skills and overcoming vision loss give me a great sense of accomplishment
Biggest lesson after a fall?
Communication is everything. Both on a rope and directing your spotters while you boulder. as the climber you are in charge of directing what you want, when you want it. Never say take!
Why MAXIM?
In my climbing life, I have only really ever used Maxim ropes. I trust them for safety, longevity and feel. I’m so proud to represent such an honorable brand.
Which MAXIM rope do you love most – and why?
Airliner all day! – It’s the lightest most stylish, and strongest rope I’ve ever used. I’ve never core shot one of these bad boys!
Highlights / Achievements
Para-climbing World Champion 2018. First para-climber in history to climb V11. But most of all, I have introduced hundreds of blin climbers to the sport through events, clinics, and films.