Climbing Staff
Rick Watson
Rick Watson has taught thousands of people to rock climb, whether Boy Scouts of America seeking a merit badge, private advanced instruction, or self rescue classes. He believes his classrooms are the most beautiful in Texas, and makes enjoying the environment an integral part of his instruction. Rick is a field tested American Mountain Guides Association Top Rope Site Manager and an Enchanted Rock Certified Lead Guide.
Chris "Birddog" Keistler
Chris “Bird Dog” Keistler has guided more people on a continuing basis at Enchanted Rock SNA than anyone around. He has guided at Enchanted Rock SNA since 1990 with 1000s of satisfied clients. He is a field tested American Mountain Guides Association Top Rope Site Manager and an Enchanted Rock Certified Lead Guide.
Taylor Reilly
Taylor Reilly is an Enchanted Rock Certified Lead Guide of 5 years, a Nationally Certified Interpretive Guide, Leave no Trace Certified, and is a qualified EMT and Firefighter. Taylor was first taught to rock climb by Rick at Enchanted Rock in1997. He has trained under Bird Dog and bolted FA’s with Alvino and Kirk Holladay. He wants to teach the sport of rock climbing in a professional, safe, and exciting outdoor atmosphere that all skill levels can enjoy!
Alvino Pon
Alvino started rock climbing in 1988 in North Carolina. Eventually he ended up with over 1000 pitches bolted, a couple hundred first ascents, and had climbed and bolted in every major climbing area in the U.S. If you want to learn how to bolt on lead or rap, Alvino is the man and probably one of the most experienced climbers you will ever meet!!!
Christopher "Fozzy" Reaves
Christopher Reaves or “Fozzy”, began his climbing career in 2003 under the wing of Bird Dog. He received his Lead Guide Certification at Enchanted Rock and began working in the park shortly thereafter. Fozzy has spent time in over 20 National Parks, with over 50 trips into the Big Bend backcountry alone. Since 2003 he has climbed in Texas, New Mexico, Mexico, Colorado, and has even put up a few first ascents with ”The Master” Alvino.
Adam Mitchell
Adam Mitchell has years of experience climbing and has been a guide for a little over a year with Rock About. He really enjoys passing on his enthusiasm and knowledge about moving on rock in the vertical world. To him it is the people that you share a climb with, not the climb itself that makes the past-time.
Marvin Seale is a cricket being eaten by BD, until we get a photo
Marvin Seale is a native of Texas, an AMGA certified Single Pitch Instructor and Wilderness First Responder, he’s climbed in Canada, Mexico, and a lot of places in between, slowing down only to run the occasional marathon and raise six kids. Back in Texas now, as the Parks and Recreation Manager for the City of Elgin, Marvin is thrilled to return to E-Rock, where he first learned to climb some fifteen years ago under the tutelage of the legendary Birddog.
Brian Wann’s , “B-Wann” has guided professionally for over 15 years and is a past member of the American Mountain Guide Association, a certified AMGA Top Rope Site Manager and a Certified Wilderness Outdoor First Responder (WOFR). As lead guide and director of a local high school’s outdoor program, Brian has gained extensive experience working with youth of all experience levels. When not climbing on the gnarly stuff, Brian is an elementary school teacher and father.
Landry McKee
Landry Mckee was born in El Paso, TX where he first learned to climb and hike in the Franklin Mountains and Hueco Tanks State Park. His well rounded knowledge in sports, coaching, and the outdoors has proven to be a worthy addition to the Rock-About staff just as his dedication to hard work, high energy level, and ability to keep everyone entertained!