Picture of MAXIM Athlete Sam Stroh

SAM STROH

Big-wall climbing cadet drowning in projects

Sam, a Texas escapee, has been ticking off hard routes in Yosemite, Indian Creek, and Joshua Tree on his breaks from school. After making one of the youngest “in a day” free ascents of Freerider, Sam is just hitting his stride and looks forward to taking his big wall skills to new destinations. Although his aspirations lie in big-wall free climbing and hard trad routes, he enjoys hanging out at the crag or boulders with a good crew.    

Birthday: November 17, 2000
Home town: Houston, TX
Current home: Hard to say ...
Favorite MAXIM rope: 70m Airliner Bi-Pattern

“When in doubt, drop everything, and go for it.” 

“In order to flip the switch and try hard, you can’t be worried about if your gear is going to hold or if your rope is solid. Maxim ropes allow me to focus purely on the climbing which is what it's all about.” 

“I used the Airliner when I climbed the Freerider in a day. It makes a big difference to have a light, durable, cord when you are linking pitches and climbing all day long.” 

Sam Stroh

Get to know Sam ...

Tell us how and when you got into climbing?
When I was 16, my sister and I did a guided climbing day while on summer vacation in Taos, New Mexico. Needless to say, it was hard to stop after that.

What do you think was the highlight of your climbing career (so far)? 
I’ve met so many people and developed meaningful relationships traveling to all of the climbing areas in the western US. Building that family has been a big highlight. 

What are you doing when you are not climbing?Skateboarding, schoolwork, and skiing compose most of my rest days.

What is the soundtrack of your life (favorite song)?
It falls somewhere between Blink-182 and Lana Del Rey

Do you have any particular eating habits
Matcha lattes and dark chocolate are required. 

What stokes you the most?
Going for something I may not be ready for with a partner that is psyched to try hard brings me the most stoke. Trying routes that are over your head always results in the unexpected and a lot of learning.  

If you could choose a super power, what would it be?
Flying, approaches and descents would be a breeze. Also, it would cut down on airfare to Europe.

What was your favorite climbing adventure?
Going ground-up on the Freerider with my partner Adrian with zero big wall experience, no portledge, and not enough food was awesome. We dropped the topo, got lost, and had a fantastic time. Curse you Scotty Burke.

What would you be doing if you weren't a pro climber?
I would be cooped up on a farm in the French Alps. Living off baguettes and olive oil. 

Find out more about Sam here: 
Instagram: @stroh.light

 


Career Highlights

Freerider (in a day)

Country/City: Yosemite National Park, CA
Grade: 5.13a
Length: 3200 ft

This was my first time free climbing El Cap and first time climbing it in a day (18 hours 51 minutes). It is so fun to cover that much free climbing in a day, and the combination of the physical and mental challenge adds to the experience. 

Golden Gate

Country/City: Yosemite National Park, CA
Grade: 5.13a
Length: 3200 ft

Going ground-up on a big wall is the most adventurous thing I have done in climbing. Quickly figuring out how to climb 5.13 at the top of El Cap is a stressful but rewarding objective. It was cool to be up there in January and be the only ones on the wall. We went ground-up over 7 days.

Stingray

Country/City: Joshua Tree National Park, CA
Grade: 5.13d
Lenght: 90 ft

I love hard crack climbing, and this is the most difficult crack I have climbed. It took a bit of time and was a mental battle, but I was happy to throw down in the end and get it done. 

 © Zach Ginn, Victoria Kohner-Flanagan, Will Sharp, Scott Eubank, Cierra Coppock

Up to the top!