Dan was born and raised near Garden Plain, Kansas where he continues to reside and work on his family's farm. He graduated from Kansas State University and has held various leadership positions in key organizations related to the dairy and agriculture industry.

Elected to the State House in 2008, Dan worked to make sure that the values and interests of the citizens in the 93rd District were represented. After districts were redrawn in 2012, Dan ran and was elected to the Kansas Senate.

Favorite climb

The Arrowhead Arete, Yosemite

Height

700 ft.

Coordinates

37°43'42.9"N 119°38'09.9"W

“Every problem can have multiple solutions. To see them you have to look at the big picture overall. Don’t limit yourself to just one route.”

I won my first competition back in 2010 at the Mountain West Regional Championships held at Moab, Utah. Sending a 5.13a sport route in a single attempt earned me first place in the Men’s division. Before then, I’d received 1st and 2nd place at a few youth competitions. 2010 was my entry into the big leagues. A couple months after Moab, Utah, I traveled to El Paso, TX for the National Championships. I got second place by sending a 5.13c sport route in two attempts.

In 2012, I won first place in the Nationals held at Acadia National Park, Maine by flashing a V12 bouldering problem. It was my first time visiting the East Coast and I was glad to have been used to Jackson Hole’s more humid weather. I think that gave me an advantage that climbers from drier regions didn’t have. In 2015 I entered my first international competition in Cochamó, Patagonia, Chile. I didn’t place, but plan to for the 2016 championship in Krabi, Thailand.