TODD PERKINS

Solid 5.14 climber and route developper in Utah

Todd is a tireless route developer in Southern Utah. Recently, with support from Rob Jensen, Todd has been re-bolting some of the most popular areas in his region. Without climbers like Todd, you would not be able to enjoy the sport climbs you do. And by the way, he is a solid 5.14 climber.

Birthday: 4/08/72
Current home: from and currently living in St. George, UT
Favorite MAXIM rope: 9.1 Airliner.

“The connection to the rhythms and beauty of nature and the outdoors, facing my personal demons of fear and self-doubt, meeting amazing people from all over the world, and sharpening my body and mind in the pursuit of something I'm passionate about are all reasons I love Rock Climbing.”

Todd Perkins

Get to know Todd ...

Tell us how and when you got into climbing?
I was always naturally drawn to climbing and did so free solo insight in tennis shoes until a friend of mine introduced me to "roped climbing", my first year of college in 1990, and I've been grateful ever since.

What are you doing when you are not climbing?
Mountain biking, guitar, guiding.

Do you have any peculiar eating habits?
Mostly vegetarian.

What stokes you the most?
The process of finding the individually particular sequences of movement while projecting, and then experiencing those movements in peaceful, automated simplicity and minimum effort. aka, Sending

If you could choose a super power, what would it be?
Gecko grip

What was your favorite climbing adventure?
Deep water soloing in Mallorca

Climbing picture of MAXIM athlete Todd Perkins

Career Highlights

Golden for a Moment

Country/City: Welcome Springs, UT
Grade: 14b
Length: 140 ft

I bolted this route and its deep meaning to me involves trying it unsuccessfully with a degenerative hip condition that put me in the hospital with a hip replacement the week I (proudly) gave the first ascent to Sharma, and the subsequent years of trying it while enduring other injuries of the body, heart, and wallet during the housing crash and subsequent loss of my organic farm and marriage. Being successful 8 years after originally bolting the route was a personal triumph for me in overcoming not just the challenge of the route, but all the challenges of those years.

Tusk

Country/City: Clark Mountain, CA.
Grade: 14b
Length: n.a.

This stunning line up the "Wall of Glass" at the top of a limestone mountain in the Mojave desert inspired my early climbing life. It was my first of the grade, and being unsuccessful my first season, having to undergo carpal tunnel surgery in both wrists, then coming back and sending it my next season there made the send all the more satisfying.

The Incredible Huck

Country/City: Welcome Springs, UT
Grade: 14b FA
Lenght: n.a.

Trying to run a sub-three hour marathon and send .14b the same week was a bit too optimistic for me, but running a 3:09 and sending 2 weeks later was close enough.

Up to the top!