Board of Directors

Elizabeth Lyons | Secretary

Elizabeth (she/her) started climbing rock in middle school and ice in 2019. She also enjoys climbing mountains, hiking, camping and trying pretty much anything that gets her outdoors. She first climbed in the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma which is her home state. Climbing and outdoor adventuring has taken her to Arkansas, Colorado, Costa Rica, Germany, Liechtenstein, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Washington, and Utah so far and she is looking to add more adventures.

Elizabeth has a love for the close-knit climbing community in Minnesota and was excited to be elected to the Board of the MCA in spring of 2022. She is passionate about helping others discover all aspects of climbing and wanted to become more involved with the local climbing community in addition to “being on the ground” by helping carry out the mission of the MCA. Her newfound passion for ice climbing has led to opportunities to volunteer for the 2023 Sandstone Ice Climbers Festival. She is also looking forward to becoming a bigger part of the Sandstone Ice Park and being involved in MCA projects related to climbing access and improvement or expansion of current climbing areas.

When she is not climbing, she loves experiencing different cultures and foods, cooking with her partner, hanging out with her non-climbing friends and family, and spending time with her neurotic dog, Emre.

corwin diamond | Treasurer

Corwin has always enjoyed climbing. Since his first top rope climb at Galyan's in the 90's, he constantly seeks to scale more vertical feet. As a youth he spent as much of his time at summer camp at the climbing tower as he could. Corwin later worked for that camp and other camps in that organization for over a decade. During that time he gained multiple certifications for guiding climbing and running high ropes courses and running and writing staff training.

When his first college removed their climbing wall, Corwin needed a place to climb regularly, so he started working at a climbing wall in 2008. The climbing wall was a great place to meet great lifelong climbing partners. Friends from the climbing wall have led to outdoor excursions at most of the climbing areas in the Minnesota Guide book, Devil’s Tower, and El Capitan in Yosemite.

Corwin was introduced to simulated ice climbing as a winter camping guide in 2009, and attended his first Sandstone Ice Fest in December 2010, the same weekend the Metrodome collapsed. Hooked on ice climbing, Corwin has gone on many out of state ice climbing trips to Ouray, Mount Lincoln, and Nipigon.

Corwin joined the MCA Board of directors in 2023. He is a Software Engineer by day, but is always looking for excuses to go outside. Whether it is camping or climbing with his wife, skiing with friends, adventuring on motorcycles, hiking the Himalayas or rallying across India in a tuk tuk; Corwin is always up for an adventure.

steve mccluskey | board member

Steve started rock climbing in 2016 and ice climbing that same season and was hooked. After a few years of borrowing ice gear, he finally had all of his own and gets up to Sandstone as often as he can during ice season. In the last few years he has helped out more and more with farming the ice at Sandstone and joined the MCA in 2023 to be more involved in the decision making process and help out with ice park functions. Steve is a CNC machinist/programmer by trade and enjoys many other hobbies including music, movies, gadgets, bikes, welding, house projects and hanging out with friends and family.

Peter Lenz | ice park manager

Peter has been climbing since 2007 and joined the Board in 2015. He never climbs as often he would like, but Peter takes advantage of all the climbing that Minnesota has to offer from rock to ice. He assists the MCA with its Internet presence as well as the ice farming effort at the Sandstone Ice Park. He reveres the community, personal challenge, exploration, and adventure intrinsic to the endeavor of climbing. When not tied in, Peter loves to immerse himself in Minneapolis’ bike culture, taking on alleycat races, group rides, or gravel road 100 milers. He also enjoys making vegan tacos.

Bryan ebert | board member

Bryan (he/him) started climbing seriously in 2010. He learned to climb here in Minnesota, and the climbing here holds a special place in his heart. He focuses on all forms of rock climbing, including: bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing, and multi-pitch climbing. He is known to dabble in ice climbing as well. Bryan's favorite local crag is Red Wing/He Mni Can, and he is looking forward to coordinating a big rebolting effort in order to improve the safety and usability of that crag. One of his other favorite spots is Palisade Head, because who doesn't love climbing above the ocean? Bryan does some guiding at Taylor's Falls and Sandstone, and loves bringing out and teaching things to new and experienced climbers alike. Bryan really values community, and he is excited to give back to the community that has given him so much already. When not climbing, Bryan works as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist at a small clinic near Northeast Minneapolis. Bryan also loves to spend time with his wife and dog, and go canoeing in the Boundary Waters.

Ed lysNe | board member

Edric has been rock, ice and alpine climbing since 1992, beginning in Minnesota. At the beginning of his career, he mostly toproped in Taylors Falls, the North Shore, and Sandstone MN before there was an Ice Park. Then he moved to Yosemite, where he cut his teeth on multi-pitch free routes for many years. Edric has since climbed all over the Intermountain West, Alaska, Nepal and Thailand and he also has served as a guide, instructor and trainer for Outward Bound programs. He seeks to help protect and fortify local climbing areas as well as pass on best practices for safe climbing. Edric also really enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and visiting the wilderness.

Theresa Ptak | board member

Theresa has been climbing since 2012, having started in a small campus gym at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She has lived and climbed in Wisconsin, Washington and Colorado, but Minnesota crags have felt the most like home. She is actively involved in the MCA’s community around the Sandstone Quarry and Ice Park, and is looking forward to learning more about Ice Farming in the coming years. As a professional designer & illustrator, she loves finding ways to be a creative resource to not only the climbing community, but local parks and land advocacy initiatives as well. She recently completed a stewardship-based art residency program in the Wrangell-St.Elias, Alaska, backpacking through Lakina Valley and Kennicott Glacier, using her field study to create pieces of art. Theresa has helped design and develop trail signage projects locally, and looks forward to applying this experience to the Ice Park this winter.

She’d love to hash out that brilliant climbing t-shirt design idea that's been sitting in the back of your head. Reach out!

Cole Trebelhorn | Board member

Cole joined the board this fall of 2023 but has been a passionate advocate for the stelar climbing Minnesota has to offer since 2020. Cole found so much joy at the discovery of climbing in Minnesota that he decided to anchor down roots in the area after graduating from Gustavus rather than pursue his passion for mountain biking out west.

A few years into his climbing journey, he’s since graduated from rainbow wall climbing, and now excited to steward the treasure that is Minnesota climbing for everyone to enjoy. No matter the season, you’ll find Cole drooling over the spiciest 5.6 trad routes he can reasonably drive to in one stint, and building relationships along the way. His stoke is strong whether he’s swatting mosquitoes at Taylors Falls, or picking ice out of his beard at Sandstone. An honorary gear nerd, he’s desperately seeking someone with whom to discuss the latest weight saving modifications Petzl has made to their Spirit carabiners. 

Along with being a part of the Sandstone ice farming crew, Cole’s professional background of construction management brings a handiness that the crags will enjoy for years to come. 

When he’s not climbing, you can find him road tripping, enjoying the MPLS fare, placing near last in the underground urban cycling races, and casing the gaps at Sprit Mountain. 

Be sure to say hi at Bloomington VE!