Birmingham boulders team

Joe Ortega

Owner | Head Setter

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

It was actually built by climbers.

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

Anything that is sandstone! Especially Rocklands South Africa, Joe’s Valley Utah, Fontainebleau France, and the Southeast US. My favorite climb is usually the one that I’ve climbed most recently.

What are you nerdy about?

Star Wars, movie quotes, tools and construction, and surprisingly enough, sewing.

jacob Zippel

Head team Coach

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

The community. I didn’t know anyone before moving down here and I’ve been lucky enough to make so many friends here through B2.

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

Gaston Legume at the New River Gorge.

What are you nerdy about?

Disc golf & steel.

MElysa zippel

General manager | MARKETING COORDINATOR | SETTER | coach

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

I love how welcoming and authentic the community is. Everyone is so supportive & friendly!

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

Fortune at Stone Fort in TN. It’s got quite a full-value pistol squat! But honestly I just love all of the southeastern sandstone and everything at the New River Gorge in WV.

What are you nerdy about?

I'm extra nerdy about plants, astrology, crystals and cats!

Will mcdonald

Welcome desk | Setter

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

Good Setting. Good People. Good Vibes.

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

I just moved to Bham from San Francisco and haven't had a chance to climb outside around here yet, so I'd have to say either Hueco Slap at Castle Rock in Santa Clara or Shipwreck at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. I'm stoked to check out HP40 and Moss Rock ASAP!

What are you nerdy about?

The Thirty Years War.

LACy jones

coach | party host

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

I love problem-solving with strangers whenever I climb! This is true of the climbing community in general, but the friendliness and community is even more apparent at B2.

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

Hmmm… I don’t have one yet!

What are you nerdy about?

I’m the nerdiest about murder mysteries and true crime!

jonas mull

welcome desk

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

What are you nerdy about?

Jace Baines

instructor

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

I love the friendly atmosphere! There’s almost always someone new around the gym that’s super friendly and awesome to hang around.

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

One of my favorite outdoor climb is groove rider (V4) out at Horse Pens 40. It has eluded me for so long but am in love with that climb.

What are you nerdy about?

I’m pretty nerdy about plenty of things honestly. More specifically anything sci-fi/fantasy related. I’m also super nerdy about tools. I love to learn about a new tools or specialized tools.

caroline grady

party host

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

I love the community and always seeing a friendly face when I’m there! :)

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

Either Scales or Radiology at Hospital Boulders!

What are you nerdy about?

I’m super nerdy about backpacking, bikes, cheese, and clovers!

Wesam Nasser

Instructor | COACH | assistant to the regional manager

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

The B2 Forge.

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

Difficult to answer… There’s not really any one climb but what come to mind would either be “Pope With a Cowboy Hat” - V4 at HP40 or “Reignition” - V8 at Moss Rock.

What are you nerdy about?

Anything MCU, Most Anime, Pretty much all genres of Video Games

carl nesbitt

Coach

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

I really love the community and the uniqueness of the gym.

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

I haven’t had the opportunity to climb outdoors yet, but I’m looking forward to it!

What are you nerdy about?

I am nerdy about track and field, science, music, and history.

Jack Richey

Welcome desk

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

I definitely love the routesetting and community the most!

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

My favorite outdoor boulder is “No Parking on the Dance Floor” at Hospital Boulders.

What are you nerdy about?

I am a very big Star Wars nerd!

Isabella cruz

social media coordinator

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

My friends who give me all the confidence in the world & Marshal dog!

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

Chicken Strips at Hospital Boulders.

What are you nerdy about?

Marvel and my cats, Olive & Harley!

isaac Collie

Welcome desk

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

The home grown atmosphere that the gym provides.

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

Anything at Rumbling Bald in Chimney Rock State Park.

What are you nerdy about?

I’m a nerd of all trades from magic the gathering to collecting coins!

STephanie Leary

Welcome desk

What do you love most about Birmingham Boulders?

The people! Everyone is so cool and welcoming. I used to be so nervous about messing up and trying new boulders but the climbers here really helped me face that fear in order to grow!

What is your favorite outdoor climb?

I haven’t done as much outdoor climbing as I’d like but I currently enjoy going to Moss Rock with my buddies!

What are you nerdy about?

I LOVE music! I’m mainly into the lyrics and metaphors but I’m always down to talk production, performance, or literally anything else music related!