What is it about climbing that keeps us coming back? Join Norrøna Ambassador David Roetzel for an evening exploring the reasons we climb, from challenge and focus to freedom, curiosity and simply being present.
About
David Roetzel has been climbing for more than 38 years, having started climbing in Colorado in 1988. Based in Gypsum, Colorado, he is an all-around climber with a particular passion for rock, ice, mixed and alpine climbing. He has also spent close to 20 years teaching and guiding rock and ice climbing, including coaching an elite climbing team.
David’s climbing resume includes some remarkable achievements. In March 2014, he became the first person to free solo all of the major ice formations in East Vail in a single day, 16 pitches and more than 1,000 feet of ice climbing, a feat that remains unrepeated. In 2020, he made the first ascent of Goliath, an M13+ mixed route in East Vail. More recently, in 2024, he climbed his third 5.13b at Rifle, one of Colorado’s renowned hard-climbing areas.
Yet for David, climbing is about much more than grades and achievements. He sees the mental aspect of climbing—focus, problem-solving, patience and persistence—as what has kept him fascinated for more than three decades. After suffering a serious foot injury in a mixed-climbing accident in 2004, it was his love of climbing that helped him through a long recovery and eventually back onto the rock and ice.
Today, David continues to set ambitious climbing goals while seeking balance between climbing, work and family. His approach is rooted in intrinsic motivation: climbing for the challenge, the process and the experience itself, rather than for recognition or social media. His philosophy offers a fascinating perspective on why we climb—and what climbing can teach us about ourselves.
Through personal stories, images and an open conversation, David will explore why we climb, what keeps us coming back, and what climbing can teach us about ourselves.
Whether you’re new to climbing or have years of experience, David’s perspective offers fresh insights into what drives us to climb, challenge ourselves and keep coming back.
Practical info
- When: 22nd of October from 19:00 - 20:30
- Where: Norrøna Boulder
