Norm flaking rope in Vedauwoo, WY.
Norm Rasmussen was born in Orange, California in 1987 – a far cry from the humid summers and bitter winters of the Northeast. Since high school, he has been scrambling around the rocks and hiking the trails of Harriman State Park – the second largest state park in New York. Learning to climb while living in Boston, he followed his passion, and until recently, managed a rock climbing gym in New Jersey for 2 and half years.
Climbing was just one half of the equation – community was the other. Norm loves to show people the things he is passionate about and wants people to be involved, active participants in whatever community they love. Norm is on the board of the Torne Valley Climbers’ Coalition (TVCC) the organization that fought – and won – to open access to the Powerlinez climbing area in Harriman State Park, NY. This has been a huge win, as it is the first area in Harriman to be open legally to climbing.
Since then, Norm has been involved in spreading good stewardship practices to local climbers, teaching them about the sensitive access issues, and looking forward to what’s possible for climbing in NY State in the future. He has spent many hours at the Powerlinez putting up new traditional climbing routes and repeating old lines for grade confirmations.
Norm on Hashtag, Swag, Yolo, 5.11d Powerlinez
He currently lives in North Jersey with his long time climbing partner and wife, Krista, where they spend their free time serving their local church, keeping an eye on the Powerlinez, and spending time with family.
Norm knows that the Powerlinez isn’t the most beautiful or secluded climbing area. He does think that it’s a gem in and of itself, but it most likely won’t stand on the podium with the Gunks. That being said, there’s a reason over 1,000 waivers were signed in 2014, with 2015 looking to exceed that. He hopes you’ll download the guidebook and have a great time at his local crag.
