Diane Russell - Owner

Co-Owner of Pacific Edge. She got her start in rock climbing at the age of 14 in Boulder, Colorado. Beginning with instruction from the Colorado Mountain Club, climbing quickly became a major focus.  From here she was introduced to mountaineering and ice climbing.  Her first love is the wild places, and she prefers and excels at rock climbing. Her love for the sport and encouraging teaching style made her an excellent guide for the Colorado Mountain School. With more than 45 years of experience in the sport, guiding and climbing has taken her around the world from New Zealand to the Himalayas, to Europe and throughout the United States.  Her extraordinary climbing ability made her a recognized and successful competitor in countless Nationals, World Cups, and climbing at the Extreme Games…and she is still getting out there on real rock. Her most recent adventure brought her back to her love of the backcountry when she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2014 (from Mexico to Canada). You may also find yourself on her thoughtful routes set here at PE signed: Di. Good Luck!

Tom Davis - Owner

The Founder and Co-Owner of Pacific Edge. He has been climbing for over 40 years venturing from the continental United States to Canada, Alaska, South America, Europe, & New Zealand. He is a strong all-around climber with accomplishments on big walls, long free climbs, sport routes, & in high altitude mountaineering. Tom’s climbing home is Yosemite. He has climbed dozens of Walls in the Valley including El Capitan, Half Dome, Washington’s Column, Mt. Watkins, and numerous solo walls. Long Free Climbs are his favorite, and he has done many of the classics including the West Face of El Cap, Astroman, the Rostrum, Blind Faith, Free Stone, The Crucifix, and the Chouinard-Herbert. Further from home, Tom has climbed Denali (20,320'), Huascaran, in Peru (22,200'), Lotus Flower Tower (Northwest Territories), and the North Face of Mt. Robson in Canada. He has completed numerous first ascents at Pinnacles National Monument and in Yosemite. He worked four seasons for the Colorado Outward Bound School and served on the Yosemite Search and Rescue Team in Tuolumne Meadows. Tom is methodical, and determined in his approach to climbing and training. He brings the sum of this extensive experience when teaching his many classes at Pacific Edge.

Larry Leo - Facilities Manager

Larry was our first employee. He is an indispensable asset to the workings of the gym! He is the first person we call when we can’t find something or we need help problem solving. He is always ready with a smile or helping hand, from belaying kids to fixing t-nuts and ropes or hanging a door. He can be seen at all hours of the day and night, the man behind the scenes. Fishing is his favorite pastime, which he does wherever there is water. Fish beware his skill is great! Motorcycle riding and restoring is another hobby. Larry is generous with his time. He may be found helping a friend move or driving an elderly person on a shopping excursion or taking someone out on the bay on his fishing boat. Pacific Edge is fortunate to have him on the staff!

Sage Weseman - Team Edge Head Coach, Head Route Setter, Senior Desk Staff & Instructor (He/Him/His)

Sage is a beast. Not much is known about his history other than that he was basically in full on beast mode from the moment he walked in the door. Some say he is from Santa Cruz, others say he was a boulder that transformed into a man and charged over here from the Sierras. Remember that guy that on-sight flashed your project last night in front of your face? That was this guy. He’ll give you uber- beta on your project and cheer you on while you crush… sstrroonng!!! Sage can also be found at the desk, teaching and coaching the Youth Program or setting some fine routes.

Cedric - General Manager (He/Him/His)

It has been a long and circuitous journey to his new forever home in Santa Cruz. He is originally from Dallas, Texas but don’t let his friendly howdy fool you, he has lived everywhere.  Most recently Cedric moved from Charlotte, North Carolina where he spent 6.5 years as the Director of Facilities and Head Climbing Coach at Inner Peaks.  Cedric wasn’t born a climber, but he got there as quickly as possible.  He started climbing as a boy scout, but in 1994 he stumbled into a climbing gym with a high school wrestling buddy.  From then on he was stuck on the sport.  In 2001 Cedric got his first job in a climbing gym in Provo, Utah and things have steadily gone downhill since.  Cedric is passionate about the climbing industry.   He has worked in every position the climbing gym has to offer from party staff to general manager and he can’t wait to meet all of y’all!

John - HR Manager (He/Him/His)

John comes to Pacific Edge by way of the Great Lake State of Michigan. Previously John served as General Manager at a climbing gym in Ann Arbor, MI and even a short stint as the director of a hockey club before finding his way back to his true passion of climbing. It was love at first sight between John and Pacific Edge. John enjoys multi-pitch climbing (some of his favorites being Durrance and Epinephrine), sauna conversations, and when the kilter board is set to 20 degrees. If you see him around the gym bouldering feel free to ask him for a belay (please ask him for a belay, he has no friends yet) 

Sydney - Yoga & Fitness Manager, Membership and Climbing School Support, and Desk Staff (She/Her)

Hey! My name is Sydney. I am from Sonoma County, CA, and came to Santa Cruz to study Studio Arts and Sociology at UCSC. I climbed for the first time when I was six years old and cried the whole time; I was afraid of heights and swore I would never do it again. However, in 2018, I began to take climbing more seriously while working on overcoming my fears, and I soon fell in love with the sport and the community. I have a background in dance, yoga, and martial arts, and I love to find ways to implement what I have learned from them into climbing. When not at the gym, I usually use my art supplies, bake French desserts, enjoy the beach with my friends, or teach figure drawing downtown. See you around!

Samir - Retail Manager/Desk Staff/Instructor (He/Him/His)

Originating from San Diego, California, Samir spent most of his time outside of school hiking and climbing. As a wee lad, Samir would dream about and admire those who had the ability to climb high altitude mountains. Beginning in the gym seemed like the best place to start, and it became quickly apparent that Samir wanted to pursue his dream. Already having the aptitude to hike at high elevations for long distances, learning to become a proficient rock climber was the next step. He is very grateful for the friends he made and being able to cut his teeth at climbing locations like Mt. Woodson, Joshua Tree, and Tahquitz. Samir moved to Santa Cruz to attend UCSC and graduated with a degree in Computer Science. Although not limited to, Samir's favorite type of climbing is adventurous multi-pitch trad with a generous approach. In terms of hiking, Samir’s favorite kinds are long distance days in the backcountry to high peaks. If either of these or the combination of both sound appealing, Samir is always looking for new people to share the experience with. He has a large base of knowledge on the outdoors and is constantly seeking to learn new things. Don’t hesitate to say hello or ask any questions!

Oscar - Youth Programs Coordinator/Desk Staff (He/Him)

Howdy Folks! I am an adventure seeker by nature who is passionate about the great outdoors. I grew up in Los Angeles, California mostly surfing and slacklining. Climbing quickly became one of my favorite hobbies when I found myself struggling to make a fist after my first session. What I love about climbing is the problem solving and confidence required to scurry up a wall or to make that final bump or step on that grueling toe that may or may not stick. I knew climbing was going to open many doors when I reached the top of Monolith and shared a soda with my buddy while overlooking a bromantic sunset. I love working with kiddos and inspiring stoke! Outside of the gym…don’t talk to me. Just Kidding! See you around ;)

Sam - Desk Staff & Youth Programs Instructor (He/Him/His)

When not working Sam can be found running in the woods with his dog, leading friends on long climbs, or swing dancing. Sam loves chatting about politics, long grueling climbs, and vegging on the couch watching The Expanse. Climbing Matthes Crest--and eventually Evolution Traverse--are Sam's main climbing goals. Academically he wants to go to grad school to study statistics and social justice so that he can optimize the process for eating the rich.

Hannah - Desk Staff/Donations Support (She/Her/Hers)

A born and raised Santa Cruz native, Hannah began her climbing journey at 11 years old when her parents decided that she go to Pacific Edge and climb rock walls instead of tall trees. She has been here ever since! Hannah has climbed on and over every corner of the gym, including some rare instances of exploring behind the walls (a mysterious and claustrophobic adventure). When not patrolling the front desk, she teaches outdoor science education to little ones and draws science illustrations for publication in paleontology and beyond. She also loves reading, baking, hiking, gardening, film and movies, and newts.

Maxwell Schroeder - Youth Programs/Desk Staff (He/Him)

Call me Maxwell. I came to the land of Santa Cruz as only a child, my interest in the workings of ecology and evolution drew me to university life where my mind was filled with images of physiology and taxonomy but this is not where my story began, my youth was spent in the rain of Portland Oregon where my imagination was limited to only the borders of my mind, as a result of this I gave a great deal of care to creative processes, I was enamored with art and surrounded myself with music and drawing, I learned the rhythm of drums, the melody of guitar, the beauty a pen stroke creates upon paper, as I matured I began to find value in the physical aspects of life this eventually led to my discovery of climbing. Oh my dear reader the wonder and satisfaction bestowed upon me when the proj has been bagged, the boulder topped, the route sent, needless to say my artistic journey continues today in freelance work and my climbing journey continues in ongoing hype.

Hayden Ventrella - Youth Programs/Desk Staff (they/them)

Hello! I’m Hayden and I’m originally from Morrisville, NC but have spent the last while in San Luis Obispo. I came to Santa Cruz to study Politics and History of Consciousness at UCSC and have fallen in love with living here. I started climbing a little over a year ago in SLO and immediately became obsessed. You can see me around the gym climbing anything and everything crimpy. See y’all around!

Juliette Delany - Desk Staff (she/her)

Hi, I’m Juliette! Originally from Berkeley, CA, I’m currently studying Environmental Studies at UCSC. I climbed here and there before COVID, but I became truly hooked about two years ago after joining the Sonoma State climbing club. In the gym, I particularly enjoy crimpy climbs and heel hooking. Outside of climbing, I enjoy spending time at the dog park (even though I don’t own a dog), going on 3 week long roadtrips without a plan, and full sending it despite being lactose intolerant. As a chronic procrastinator, this bio is also eight months overdue. Super happy to be here and feel free to ask me about my crazy roadtrip experiences, talk about dogs, or just pop by and say hi (: