Chris “Birddog” Keistler

No one has guided more people on a continuing basis at Enchanted Rock SNA then the Bird Dog.  He has guided continuously at Enchanted Rock SNA since 1990 with 1000s of satisfied clients.  Bird Dog in the past participated in and coached various youth sports such as trampoline, diving and wrestling.  Though when he first climbed in March, 1987 at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, he immediately fell in love with the sport.  His next venture was in 1988 to Hueco Tanks State Park.  In 1990 he first guided for Sam Houston State University outdoor recreation program.  In 1992 he started guiding for an Austin, Texas climbing guide service mainly at Enchanted Rock.  In 1997 he was promoted to lead guide for his hard work and ability to work with people at any level.  Also, in 1997 Bird Dog took his first trip to El Potrero Chico, Mexico where he learned to love climbing big limestone.

In 1999 Bird Dog developed his first sport route at Paradise on the Brazos.  He also had his first guide trip to El Potrero Chico, Mexico with Kirk Holladay.  In 2003 he became an AMGA Certified Top Rope Site Manager.  In 2007, with Kirk Holladay he began helping with the development and route establishment at the North Shore private climbing area in West Travis County.  There he established several new routes bolted many first ascents.  From 2007-2009 he established many more 1st ascents at the now Reimer’s Ranch Travis County Park, North Shore area.  In 2008, Bird bolted “The Kracken” on lead on Enchanted Rock’s backside; it will probably be the last route established on the backside.  From 2008 to present Bird has been working on new routes in Texas and El Potrero Chico, Mexico.  In March 2009 alone he established 4 new routes.

He is a previous member of Central Texas Mountaineer’s.  He has worked numerous trail work projects at Enchanted Rock SNA, North Shore Reimer’s Ranch, plus a sponsored trail project on Kit Carson Mountain, Sangre de Cristo Range in Colorado.  He has climbed all over Texas; New Mexico; Mt. Lemmon, Arizona; Joshua Tree NP, California; and the Sierra Nevadas, California. In the past few years he has been taking regular seasonal trips to Big Bend National Park for backcountry hiking.

Aside from guiding for Rock-About, Bird Dog is currently working as a ranch hand and is developing new climbing routes at Rancho de Relaxo, a working ranch near Enchanted Rock SNA and Fredericksburg, Texas.  He spends his free time riding horses, kayaking, hunting, and participating in Western reenactments in North Texas.