It all started in a climbing gym for Coach Karla. Now, over two decades later, she’s come full circle; tracing her roots back to where it began, only this time, with a kid crusher in tow. Her passion for climbing has greatly influenced her travels – oftentimes sending her and her family to world class climbing destinations. She considers the Red River Gorge her home crag after having spent her formative climbing years there and establishing dozens of first ascents in Muir Valley. As a climber of petite stature, Coach Karla draws on her own experience, developing techniques and strategies that suit climbers who mirror her in size – which benefits youth climbers in particular. Having coached several US National Team level climbers in the Midwest, her approach to coaching is centered on communication and fun while also creating an atmosphere and program that helps climbers develop their confidence and skills.

Coach Heather was introduced to climbing in 2009 by her brother, who primarily climbed outdoors, but invited her to try indoor climbing at Climb @ Blue Ridge. In addition to loving the sport of climbing, Heather values making friendships within the climbing community and sharing her love of the sport with others. She has climbed at crags across the Southeast and her favorite is the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. Heather is an avid distance runner, having completed three Boston marathons. Both Heather and her husband Brent are college professors. Heather teaches music and trumpet. They have four children and one daughter-in-law.

Coach Abbey began climbing when two of her friends convinced her to buy a membership at Climb @ Blue Ridge in 2019. Since then, she has had the opportunity to climb indoors and outdoors alongside many different climbers of varying skill sets. Abbey enjoys educating students in the outdoors and getting to watch as students grow in knowledge and confidence in their climbing skills. In 2021 she had the opportunity to work with a non-profit guiding middle and high school students during mountain biking, paddle boarding, backpacking, hiking, and rock-climbing trips. This experience grew her love for working with students in the outdoors. Abbey loves climbing and has gotten to travel to crags in many different states including Kentucky, Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina, and Alabama. Abbey’s favorite places to climb outdoors include the Red River Gorge in Kentucky and Hidden Valley in Virginia. One of Abbey’s favorite things in life is learning new outdoor skills with friends and getting to educate others around her so they can also enjoy new experiences in the outdoors.