Spotlight on Jason Halladay!
 
Congratulations to our latest Grand Slam finisher Jason Halladay! I had the pleasure of asking Jason a few quick questions. Check out his responses:

Q: What was your first fourteener, and when did you climb it?
Mount Sneffels, July 20th, 1996.  The South Slopes from Yankee Boy Basin.
Q: At what point did you commit to finishing them all?
Later that summer I backpacked into Willow Lake basin to climb Challenger and Kit Carson.  After that trip, I wanted to explore all the 14ers.
Q: What is your favorite fourteener route?
The Prow on Kit Carson.  Relatively easy 5th class climbing with awesome exposure on both sides.  The feature itself is just amazing. 
Q: What is your least favorite route on a 14er?
The West Slopes of Mount Belford.  Brutally steep and unaesthetic. But I do applaud the CFI for all its work on that trail, the trail is solid.
Q: What was your most delightful moment on a 14er?
Sunset on Challenger Point last August after my friend Aron and I summitted Crestone Needle, Crestone Peak, Humboldt, Kit Carson and Challenger in one day.
Q: What was your most terrifying moment on a 14er?
Falling twice on a #9 wired nut on the final 5.7 pitch of the Ellingwood Arete route on the Crestone Needle after a long, snowy and cold day in May 2002. New snow made the rock extremely slick and my frozen, climbing-shoe-clad feet were pretty much worthless.  We eventually aided the nut to get past that section and, to this day, that nut still sits wedged solid there.
Q: Do you have any plans for future mountain lists?
I just recently climbed Denali via the West Buttress and would love to climb some more of the lesser-known peaks in Alaska.  That's a dream though, it's too expensive to climb in Alaska while living in New Mexico.  I'll be spending quality time on the high peaks of Colorado up to 13,999 feet.
Q: What is the single most important piece of advice that you would give to someone just starting out?
Do as much hiking, running, biking, etc. as you can.  Any physical activity you do only increases your physical strength and, therefore, potential.  Most importantly, keep a great attitude and positive outlook even in the worst of times.  You'd be surprised how much it helps you physically to stay positive mentally.  You'll meet more climbing partners that way as no one likes to commit to climbing with a negative person. =)