Launched in 2023, the SMCC aims to lead projects to enrich the climbing community.

About Us

The Southern Montana Climbers Coalition (SMCC) launched in January 2023 after careful consideration (and background research) by the cofounders. As the climbing community in this part of Montana continues to grow, we need a collective voice to help shape the future and protect the climbing in this area. With the Beartooth Mountains as our playground and access to many nearby climbing areas, SMCC will take on projects that will help our climbing community thrive.

SMCC also hopes to launch a physical indoor climbing space for experts and beginners alike to build community, increase fitness, reinforce outdoor etiquette, and practice skills that can translate to the outdoors.

Meet Our Board

  • Dawn Brintnall

    President

    Dawn grew up in the heart of the midwest and grew up climbing trees and grain silos. She moved two Alaska two days after graduation, and hasn’t looked back. Montana has become home, and she loves to serve the areas she recreates in through volunteering with the local SAR and EMT programs. She is passionate about getting people involved in the outdoors safely and encouraging year-round outdoor education.

  • Alicia Hines

    Billings Area Representative

    Alicia has always embraced a sense of adventure and first found rock climbing while studying abroad in Thailand. She moved to Montana in 2013 because the mountains were calling, and to be a rural community organizer. Now Alicia and her husband Neal marry couples in the mountains as owners of Off the Beaten Path Wedding. She co-founded Billings Women Climbing in 2023 to strengthen the local women's climbing community and is excited to be part of SMCC.

  • Ben Hoiness

    Secretary

  • Eden Wondra

    Programs Director

    Eden grew up loving the outdoors and climbing, inspired by her time with her dad in the Adirondacks in New York. She moved to Yosemite after completing school where she expanded her climbing experience and dove into her career of environmental and outdoor education. She moved to Montana in 2020, and now works as the education manager at Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. She looks forward to improving safety in climbing by contributing to SMCC’s focus on education and access.

  • Loren Rausch

    Board Member

    (the one in the middle)

  • Matt Heyliger

    Board Member

  • Anju Samulsen

    Board Member

  • Scott Johnston

    Board Member

    Scott began climbing as a teenager in Colorado in the early 70s and has pursued his love of the mountains in ranges throughout the world.  His serious climbing days behind him he hopes to instill and support a similar love and respect for the mountains in future generations of climbers.