MAGGIE ODETTE

Inspiring.  Humble.  Amazing.  All three of these words come to mind when you meet Maggie Odette and watch her gracefully scale a rock wall.  I first met Maggie this past winter when my family and I were embarrassing ourselves on the bouldering wall at The Front Climbing Gym in Ogden.  

 Over and over again our eyes were drawn to one climber in particular.  Her movements were calculated and smooth as she repeatedly attempted the same complex set of moves involving hanging off a tiny hold, extending her foot above her head to grasp an even smaller hold with her heel,  followed by an explosive surge as she swung her body to a friction hold far to her side.  Even when she missed her hold and fell to the mat below she always stood back up with a huge smile and a self-deprecating laugh.

That same day she gave my daughters tips on how to better balance themselves as they attempted holds they never thought they'd successfully reach.  Within an hour they were attempting routes they never dreamed were possible.  We all chatted, laughed, and had a fun afternoon.   Little by little over the next month I learned more about Maggie--usually from people I talked to outside the climbing gym.  Quickly, I realized I had to make a short video featuring her.  

Due to lots of various reasons it took almost six months to complete the video, and it really only got done because Maggie emailed me telling me she was leaving town and not coming back.  Her and her husband had made a major life decision and were going to "live the dream."  Luckily, I finished up the video before they packed up and headed east, but I felt lucky to have met such a humble, outgoing, and wonderful ambassador for her sport. 

I wish Maggie safe travels in her dangerous flip flops, lots of fun days filled with friends and laughs, and many sunny days climbing with her husband.  You can follow her adventures at gravitychronicles.com