Charles Cole
Five Ten kingpin Charles Cole was a major new route pioneer in the 1980’s. Always motivated and ready to drill on the lead, Charles spearheaded many first ascents. His accomplishments are impressive, and the variety of climbing partners on these many adventures is a tribute to his scope and influence. Confident, outspoken and sometimes brazen, Charles got the job done. I’m sure you are familiar with the C.Cole classics: Poodles are People Too (1980), Run for Your Life (1978), Moby Dike (1989), I Can’t Believe It’s a Girdle.
His climbs in Yosemite are legendary and his El Cap routes (including Jolly Roger, first ascent C.Cole solo) remain difficult, bold and challenging today. Charles and his friends almost single handedly developed Margarittaville near Victorville, California.
A renaissance man, an ace businessman and legendary climber, Charles is now married, has a family and continues to produce some of the best climbing shoes in the world.