Climber Story: Torin Scalora

To start, tell us a little bit about yourself

I’m 26 and currently going to school for environmental science and minoring in outdoor adventure recreation after serving six years in the US Army.

How did you start climbing?

I started climbing because I was looking for anything to get me off base towards the end of my Army career. A trip to a nearby city led me to a climbing gym  where I started bouldering. Since then, I’ve become obsessed with climbing.

I mainly boulder because I’ve moved around so much since I started climbing, so I can still go even if I can’t find a partner, but I really want to pursue lead climbing and alpine objectives. I’ve started ice climbing this season which has been amazing, and it’s by far my favorite type of climbing that I’ve experienced so far! 

What impact has climbing had on your life?

Climbing has helped me in a lot of ways over the past few years. When I first started, I needed something productive and fun that would let me stop thinking about the Army for a bit. I was in kind of a dark place towards the end of my career, and I’ve dealt with depression my whole life, so climbing has really helped me find something to put my energy into and work towards. 

What are some other things you do that you find most fulfilling?

My degree brings me a lot of fulfillment! I’ve always wanted to do something to help fight climate change, and within my first year at school I got the opportunity to research carbon dioxide and methane release in arctic environments.

If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?

Don’t be scared to try new things.

I’ve always been a bit of a loner, and I was scared to try climbing alone. I’m so glad I did though! I’m starting to find community in climbing now that I’m settling in one place for a bit, and I’m learning so much and seeing so much progress while still having an amazing time climbing.

Just go find what makes you happy and run with it! If you’re not happy with where you are in life, don’t be afraid to change those things. It might be hard but it is so worth it. 

Favorite thing about Dynamite Starfish?

The designs you use!

Is there something you're working on that you'd like to tell our community about? We love a good story.

I’m currently raising money for the American Lung Association for their Climb for Clean Air event. My grandmother died in part due to a long history of smoking, and while I was in the Army I was guilty of smoking a bit as well. After I got COVID-19 and I saw the impact it had, not only on my lungs but my body as a whole, I got much more serious about my health.

Raising money for an organization such as the American Lung Association is such a great opportunity because it combines my love of the mountains and climbing with a cause that is close to me. My goal is to raise $6,000 and I would love the support of the greater climbing community (donate here)!

You can find Torin on Instagram at @tscalora96 and visit his fundraising campaign here.

Want to get to know more of the climbers in the amazing Dynamite Starfish community? Check out our archive of Climber Stories here.

We hope you have enjoyed these sneak peeks into climbers' lives. We're on a mission to share diverse stories about rock climbing. Let's push the boundaries of who we know as climbers. Let's use our energy and passion for the outdoors to love our environment and inspire one another.

Have someone you think we should feature? Send us a message and let us know!

Until next time!