Matt Segal (born May 8, 1984) is an American professional climber. He participates in a variety of climbing activities including single pitch traditional climbing.

Early life and education

Originally from Miami, Florida, Segal learned to climb in a gym as a child. He studied religion at Naropa University.

Career

Segal began climbing in 1998 with indoor competitions across the United States and Europe. After the 2004 climbing competition season, Matt began participating in outdoor climbing. At Squamish in 2006 Segal and his climbing partner

Sonnie Trotter Sonnie Trotter (born November 15, 1979, in Toronto), is a Canadian professional climbing, climber, known for his strength in many rock climbing disciplines, contributing to hundreds of first ascents around the world. Climbing career Trotter began ...

climbed ''The Shadow'' 5.13b, ''The Grand Wall'' 5.13b and ''The Black Dyke'' 5.13b on the

Stawamus Chief The Stawamus Chief, officially Stawamus Chief Mountain (often referred to as simply The Chief, or less commonly Squamish Chief), is a granitic dome located adjacent to the town of Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. It towers over above the wat ...

all free in a single 12 hour session. Matt Segal worked with ''National Geographic'' on an archaeological exploration of 800-year-old man made caves high on rock faces in the Mustang Region of Nepal. He was recruited for his climbing skills as well as his education in religious studies. In 2014, Segal was featured in the film ''Karsts of China'', highlighting Enshi Grand Canyon National Park and the Stone Forest. In 2015 Segal lived in Boulder, Colorado. He sometimes partners with Canadian climber Will Stanhope. Segal has also begun climbing and paragliding with fellow climber Cedar Wright. The pair traveled to China in 2015 for ''National Geographic'', where they were photographed with Emily Harrington climbing the Red Dragon sport route. In 2016 he appeared with Harrington and Stanhope in the film ''Boys in the Bugs'', which screened as part of the

Reel Rock Film Tour Reel Rock is an annual traveling film festival and online subscription service that focuses on rock climbing and outdoor adventure films produced by Sender Films. The films are shown at screening events, spanning over 500 worldwide, and on Reel R ...

. Also in 2016 Segal and Wright began paragliding down after their climbs."Accomplished rock climbers go to new heights"
''9 News'', Blair Shiff, June 20, 2016.

Completed traditional ascents

* ''Iron Monkey 5.14'' (1st ascent FA) Eldorado Canyon, CO"Matt Segal Interview - Friday, July 11, 2008"
''Climbing''. * ''The End of the Beginning 5.13'' (1st ascent FA) Rocky Mountain National Park, CO * ''Cobra Crack 5.14-'' Squamish, BC * ''Deadline 5.14-'' (2nd all gear ascent) Boulder Canyon, CO * ''Trippin 5.13'' (2nd ascent) Eldorado Canyon, CO * ''Free Line 5.13 R'' Eldorado Canyon, CO * ''Frayed Line 5.13 R'' Eldorado Canyon, CO * ''Surfs Up 5.13 R'' Eldorado Canyon, CO * ''Death of a Cowboy 5.13-'' Indian Creek, UT * ''Less than Zero 5.13-'' Indian Creek, UT * ''Ruby's Café 5.13-'' (Flash) Indian Creek, UT * ''Triple X 5.13 R/X'' (2nd ascent) Vedauwoo, WY * Chief Link-Up:'' Black Dyke 5.13, Free Grand 5.13 and The Shadow 5.13'' (one day with

, over 20 pitches total) Squamish, BC * ''The Free Rider Grade IV 5.12+'' (33 Pitches El Capitan) Yosemite, CA

Bouldering

* ''Forced Entry V12'' Grampians, Australia * ''Lost For Life V12'' Grampians, Australia * ''Eternia V12'' Rocky Mountain National Park, CO * ''Sun Spot V11'' Rocky Mountain National Park, CO * ''Bush Pilot V11'' Rocky Mountain National Park, CO * ''Barbed Wired Beard V11'' Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

References

External links

Matt Segal's personal site

Matt Segal's North Face athlete page

Matt Segal's North Face blog

Matt Segal's Bulumu athlete page

"Cedar Wright and Matt Segal Trad Climbing in China"
rockandice.com (video) {{DEFAULTSORT:Segal, Matt Living people 1984 births American rock climbers