Instructors
Kristin Sanger
Hi! My name is Kristin and I'm the new program coordinator for MetroRock! I started my climbing career five years ago in St. Louis, MO where I had the opportunity to climb all over amazing mid-west sandstone, at Jackson Falls, the Red River Gorge, and Horse Shoe Canyon Ranch just to name a few places. When I'm not working at MetroRock I spend as much time as I can with my 5 month old son, Carrig, teaching him to love and respect the outdoors as much as I do! My love for climbing comes from the mental and physical challenges I am faced with when I approach a new problem. As the program coordinator I want to introduce kids to climbing and to share my passion for the sport with them. I believe that climbing helps build strong problem solving skills, team work, and self confidence as one learns to rely on their strengths and abilities to get up a climb. I believe these skills carry over into many other parts of our lives and helps create a strong personal foundation.
Bryan Rafferty
Bryan Rafferty is the manager of MetroRock North in Newburyport, MA. Raff has worked in many roles at MetroRock, from routesetting and program development to guiding multi-day excursions in the back country. He has completed training by the AMGA in their single-pitch guiding course and enjoys taking groups outside of all abilities to experience all of what the sport of rock climbing has to offer. His willingness to help others and his passion for climbing make him a valuable part of the MetroRock climbing community.
Steve Buck
Steve Buck began climbing 25 years ago, encouraged by a kayaking friend. Climbing quickly consumed his life and within a few years he was competing and winning both New England and National titles. Although this was fun, it was obvious to him that climbing was the most fun when you shared it with a friend! Steve has always been willing to share his love of climbing with others and this lead him to teaching, guiding and coaching. Steve has guided all around New Hampshire, New England and some adventures out west. Working with younger climbers and coaching has taken up most of his time in the past ten years. Steve finds it rewarding to watch kids transform from beginners to accomplished climbers. He has coached many nationally ranked teams as well as internationally ranked individuals! Steve has been with Metro Rock for the as the team’s head coach since MetroRock opened in 2004.
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Mike Veazey
Mike Veazey began climbing over 12 years ago in Maine and has since traveled and climbed obsessively and extensively all over North America. He has high-angle rescue training is an AMGA certified climbing instructor and a USAC Certified routesetter. He has brought his skills and experience to the MetroRock North team as Assistant Manager, Head Routesetter, Coach, and Director of the Climbing School. He loves to share his passion and psyche for all things climbing (both indoors and out) with everyone he meets and is continually driven to draw more people into the world of climbing. He resides in New Hampshire and when not working, can be found scouring the woods of Southern New Hampshire for the next new boulder problem.
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Josh Larson
I have been climbing for 8 years with a 4 year break in the middle to race/jump four wheelers. When I was 14 I started out at my local YMCA on 20' walls with small greasy foot holds everywhere. Shortly after a couple of months on the wall, I went to my first roped comp which turned into my very 1st lead climb too. I trained/competed for 5 years with MetroRocks Head Coach, Steve Buck and went to Nationals each year and experienced something I have never felt before, something i was going to love forever, Climbing. I have recently joined MetroRock as a Coach and routesetter and look forward to working with the Metro Team. I love Coaching all ages and abilities and seeing others get that extra move or feeling of accomplishment is sweet! GET SOME!!!!!
Dave Wetmore
I'm a 2008 graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a BA in Journalism and a minor constituting a very reputable degree: Skipping Class To Go Climbing. I've climbed 5.14, bouldered V13, and have recently placed within the Top Ten at two of the Unified Bouldering Championships, for which I have been invited to set for three times in the past year. I am also very proud of the rapidly growing Dark Horse Series we have created at MetroRock--a three pronged bouldering event I have put my life into and look forward to pushing over the new few years. Aside from my small family, a number of fickle females, and taking myself extremely seriously, there are very few things that supersede rock climbing on my list of priorities. As a sponsored climber, freelance journalist, climbing coach, and head-setter, finding my place within this complicated industry has been a constant evolution. MetroRock has been my home for a number of years and I'm driven to making it the best in the industry.
Matthew Butler-Bugher
Matthew Butler-Bugher aka "BooF" has been climbing since his senior year in college in 2003. "It was love at first touch" says BooF about the first spark of his passion. He feels that climbing allows one to get amazing exercise, while also engaging in problem solving. "The variety of body movement, and the process of figuring out the right path is what makes climbing so appealing to me. Boof has been highly influential in the development and facilitation of MetoRock's youth programming. When not climbing Boof likes to hike, bike, play frisbee, read, garden, and pretty much anything outdoors. "I am a child at heart and have always enjoyed sharing my passions with the younger generation. It feels good being an influential figure in someone's life while also creating the future climbers of the world."