One year ago, Cal Poly Math Professor Dylan Retsek was a recreational paraclimber balancing his home life and 20-year distinguished career as faculty. Although that is still true today, his local paraclimber status will experience a world-gallivanting change this summer.
It all began when the Performing Arts Center hosted a National Geographic Live speaking event with world-famous paraclimber Maureen (Mo) Beck entitled “Improbable Ascent.”
During the presentation, Beck tells the story of her ascent of the Lotus Flower Tower, a 2,200-foot peak in Canada’s remote Cirque of the Unclimbables. It was during that university event that Retsek decided to message Beck personally.
“I just thought, ‘Maybe Mo wants to get some training in on the road, I’ll invite her for a climb at our local gym.’ I really didn’t think my DM would get a reply.”
To Retsek’s surprise, Beck replied, and the two climbed at The Pad in San Luis Obispo.
“Mo convinced me after that session that I had a shot at making the national team, and I’ve been chasing that dream ever since.”
Retsek now climbs four days a week and does conditioning on most other days.
“Before or after work, weekends, sometimes after the kids are in bed. It’s the same juggling act that all working parents go through. I joke that am I trying to go ‘semi-pro’ in climbing.”
After finishing in fourth place in his first National Championships in Washington D.C. last month, Retsek has made the U.S. National Paraclimbing Team and will represent the USA at World Cup events this summer in Salt Lake City, Utah, Innsbruck, Austria and Arco, Italy.
“It’s an honor and privilege to represent our country against the strongest paraclimbers from around the world.”
To learn more about Retsek’s journey and support his efforts, follow @510climb on Instagram.