SGCC Board

President

Todd Perkins

Todd’s family moved to St George in 1982 when he was 10 years old. He and his brothers and friends would ramble across the desert trying to climb whatever they could in tight fitting running shoes. Luckily, nobody died before he was taught how to climb with ropes from a close friend in his first year of college at Utah Tech in 1990. He started bolting routes in 1991, and has been bolting/re-bolting ever since. He became involved in the early days of Southern Utah Climbing Coalition (SUCC), doing trail work and re-bolting until he saw the need to expand those operations by forming Southern Utah Climbing Alliance (SUCA) in 2016. He served as President for 8 years, and recently stepped down to form a new organization (SGCC) to expand outreach, and strengthen and diversify the ability as a community to meet the growing challenges of access, route maintenance, and preservation of our beloved climbing resources. 

His favorite climbing area is the Cathedral, and “Golden For a Moment” is his personal best/favorite route. When not climbing, he’s mountain biking (built the first half of the Zen Trail and named it). He has a deep love for music. He’s been writing songs and playing guitar for 20+ years, and loves a good jam session with family & friends.

Vice President & Social Media Director

Fallon Rowe

Fallon has been all about climbing since 2003. She left her comp kid roots behind, and now focuses on sport and trad climbing. As a climbing coach, guide, routesetter, sponsored athlete, photographer, and writer, Fallon’s roots in the climbing community run deep both professionally and creatively. After years of visiting St George at every opportunity to climb, she finally moved here in 2021 and never looked back. Her passion for protecting public lands and her love for the community motivated her to join the St George Climbers Coalition. She is excited to help serve the unique needs of our beautiful desert home as the VP and Social Media Director for SGCC.

Secretary

Bethany Batten

Bethany’s first climbing experience began in her 30’s when she moved to Chattanooga, TN to learn to climb on the steep, southern sandstone. She spent about 13 years in Tennessee before moving to St. George in 2019, which opened up a whole new world of limestone adventures.

On the wall, she’s learned resilience, patience, and courage—tools to carry her through life’s challenges beyond just the crag. The unique rewards climbing offers is why she’s so passionate about giving back. Having served on another LCO board, Bethany has coordinated trail days, and organized fundraisers, all in the spirit of strengthening the climbing community. With SGCC, she’s excited to help build a welcoming space for climbers of all kinds.

Treasurer

Mike Bangerter

Mike's climbing journey started at just 13 years old in American Fork Canyon, where he not only discovered his passion for climbing but also developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors and community. His favorite climbing partner? None other than his wife, Shannon! Together, they love exploring routes all over the region.

Board Member

Chad Perkins

Chad remembers scrambling around the Green Valley Gap as a five year old, desperately trying to keep up with his older siblings. As a teenager, he was a founding member of the GVB Sporting Society, and he helped develop climbing at Pioneer Park, Chuckwalla, Turtle Wall and Moe’s Valley by ripping off loads of choss and finding the occasional classic. He has been a member of several climbing organizations and helped with many crag cleanups and trail days. He has developed routes in Utah and Nevada, usually on tall walls of limestone. He has also rebolted several routes in the St. George area, Nevada, and Rifle, Colorado. He is currently a board member of the Eastern Nevada Climbers Alliance and is now happy to help out with the SGCC as well. 

Board Member

Mary Lane Poe

Mary Lane started climbing in Bozeman, MT in 2013 and continued her journey as a climber by moving to the desert that same year. She met her husband while working in Zion, and the two spent the next decade working and climbing all around the west. From Red Rock to Joshua Tree, the City of Rocks to Yosemite, they finally settled in St George in 2019. A wildlife biologist and botanist by trade, Mary Lane has dedicated her life to the pursuit of adventure and conservation. She has served as an ambassador and board member with many outdoor and environmental organizations, and looks forward to continuing her journey to advocate for issues surrounding the intersection of recreation and conservation, especially uplifting women's voices in the outdoor space.

Founding Members

  • Mike Anderson
  • Gordon Larson
  • Jill Sessions
  • Jordan Sessions
  • Matthew Johnson
  • Jorge Visser

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