10
NOV/DEC 2018
GET2KNOW| CLIMBING BROTHERS
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL FRANKLIN
FORREST FRANKLIN MAX FRANKLIN
Age: 16
Birthday: February 24, 2002
School: Summit
Grade: Junior
Sports: Competitive climbing & pole vaulting
Sponsors: Madrock climbing Age: 14
Birthday: May 28, 2004
School: Summit
Grade: Freshman
Sports: Rock climbing & mountain biking
Sponsors: Gramicci, Tufa Climbing, and
Cleanbottle
1. When did you start climbing?
I first tried climbing when I was eight as a
rainy day activity, but I didn’t start doing it
consistently until I was 11.
2. What is it about climbing that you like
so much?
I like the individual aspect of climbing versus
soccer where I had to understand the rest of
the team. I also really enjoy how well climb-
ing keeps me in good physical shape.
3. Indoor climbing or outdoor climbing?
Competition or free-climbing?
Hands down I prefer outdoor free climbing.
Although I really enjoy competitions, I am
better at and enjoy outdoor climbing more.
4. Favorite place to climb in Bend? Best
place you have ever climbed? Anyplace
in the world you hope to climb?
My favorite place to climb in Bend is defi-
nitely the depot. The climbs are all very fun
11
and it has a high concentration of very hard
climbs. The best place I have ever climbed
is Bishop, California. At some point I would
really like to go climb in the Rocklands in
South Africa.
1. When did you start climbing and how
did you get into it?
The first time I climbed inside I was around
six years old and my family was camping
out at Tumalo and it was very cold and rainy
so we decided to go to the climbing gym to
escape the weather. We were living in Ha-
waii at the time and were just visiting Bend
in the summer. Even at that age I liked the
challenge of trying to stick to one color and
make it up the wall.
5. Advice you would give to anybody
young or old who might be interested in
getting into climbing?
Find a climbing gym and just climb. If you
know someone that climbs that could take
you, do that, if not just take some time to
go climbing and you will get immediately
hooked.
6. Any climbers in Bend or anywhere
else you look up to?
I’ve always really looked up to Duncan
Vanhorn. He was my climbing coach at one
point and I never imagined I could ever get
close to his level of climbing. It means so
much to me now to see all my hard work
finally make me strong enough to climb and
train with him.
2. What is it about climbing, that you
like so much?
I like climbing because the community is su-
per awesome and inviting. Whether you are
an amazing climber or you are just starting,
people will be happy to go out and climb with
you and help make you a better climber.
P: Neil Korn
3. Indoor climbing or outdoor climbing?
Competition or free-climbing?
Definitely outdoor climbing. I do a lot of com-
petitions indoors but I would always rather
climb outdoors than in a competition. I like
climbing outdoors more because there is not
just one way to do a move you can put
anywhere on the rock to get it higher or just
grab a little hold with your hand. Another
thing is the scene. I like the scene of being
outside rather than everyone being crammed
in a gym waiting around to climb.
4. Favorite place to climb in Bend? Best
place you have ever climbed? Anyplace
in the world you hope to climb?
My favorite place to climb in Bend is defi-
nitely Smith Rock, whether I’m out there
trying really hard on my project or just climb-
ing tons of easy routes I’m always having a
blast. My favorite place I have ever climbed
has to be Bishop, California. The climbing is
just so much fun. I really want the go to Mar-
galef, Spain the climbing just looks amazing.
5. Advice you would give to anybody
young or old who might be interested in
getting into climbing?
Just try climbing and if you like it do it a lot
and you will get comfortable very fast. Also
climbing with other people that are just start-
ing as well will help a lot.
6. Any climbers in Bend or anywhere
else you look up to?
One of the main climbers in Bend I look up
to a lot is Alan Watts. He has done so much
for the sport of climbing and Smith Rock. He
has established and bolted so many fun and
amazing climbs out at Smith.
Dani Whitehead | P: Austin White