Sam Haines

Sam has always been drawn to climbing. They started at 3 years old, climbing the banister and trees of their home, and quickly progressed to rock. As a teen, they found mentorship in the community and learned the skills to top rope and teach other youth. Over the years, they progressed from sport, trad, Ice, and alpine climbing in the Northeast and other ranges across the US.

Sam has worked for 15 years in outdoor education with pre-k through 12th graders. They have also been working as an organizer and volunteer of the Adirondack Queer Icefest since its founding in 2021. With these experiences, Sam brings a passion for teaching others skills to empower their own pursuits and a dedication to expanding the climbing community for marginalized people.