Joe Hampton's Climbing, Military Gear & Expert Recommendations

Rock Climbing Guide, Veterinary Candidate, Veteran

If you think of a friend, call them or text them. You never know whose life you might save.

After graduating from the Naval Academy in 2015, I spent a decade in the explosive ordnance disposal community, deploying to 3 continents, and supporting a diverse range of maritime and special operations. During that time, I began my guiding career with Pisgah Climbing School, and now I am pursuing my rock and alpine disciplines with the AMGA and a doctorate in veterinary medicine in North Carolina.

Discipline: Climbing, Military

Specialty: Rock Climbing/ Type 2 Fun

Early in my guiding career, planning a trip with my co captain in college to climb Mt. Whitney. He had never touched rock shoes before, but it was really enjoyable to blend military operational planning , general fitness, and technical rock climbing into a great friend reunion. In 3 days, he went from learning a figure 8 to summiting a 1000+ ft face in Yosemite! This was the first time I felt like I truly could call myself a guide. My dog, Okra, always being down to camp anywhere, run any distance, and greet any stranger on an outdoor adventure