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Born:

1981, Conway, New Hampshire, USA

Biggest achievement:

First ascent of Redacted, Cathedral Ledge, New Hampshire / Crag steward and technical committee member, Friends of the Ledges / Mountain rescue team member 

DMM athlete since:

2015

Sam Bendroth is a climber, new router, crag steward and miniature painter based in Conway, New Hampshire, at the foot of one of the most iconic granite crags in the American Northeast. Introduced to the outdoors by his father through hiking, backpacking and winter camping, Sam found climbing when his papa picked it up during a storm-bound trip to Mount Rainier and immediately passed it on. It was love at first harness, quite literally: Sam bought his own before he had ever been climbing. Now deeply embedded in the Conway climbing community, he serves on the technical committee for Friends of the Ledges, the local climbing organisation, and is a member of the mountain rescue team. His proudest climbing achievement is the first ascent of Redacted at Cathedral Ledge, a route he found, cleaned and climbed through one of the hardest years of his life, describing the send as feeling like he was floating. When he is not on the rock he is cooking ambitious meals, supporting Liverpool FC, or commanding small plastic armies in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

"Climbing has taught me perseverance."

Get to know Sam Bendroth

When did you start climbing?

My papa learned to climb while waiting out bad weather on a trip to Mount Rainier and quickly passed the bug on to me. It was love at first sign. I bought my own harness before I had ever been climbing. Somehow I just knew it was something I wanted to do.

What do you consider your most significant climbing achievement to date?

Putting up a new route at Cathedral Ledge called Redacted. Finding the line, cleaning it, figuring out if it goes, working the moves with all the ups and downs of projecting. 2025 was a hard year for me emotionally and climbing was very therapeutic. The day I sent it I felt like I was floating and woke up clipping the anchor.

How would you describe your climbing style and your anti-style?

Gangly skinny man with large forearms reaches for holds. Steep stuff. That is the style and the preference.

What is the most valuable piece of climbing advice you have received?

"You can't eat rope" — said by the owner of my local climbing shop, in reference to getting paid in gear. The point being: get paid in money. Although now the shop sells vegetables and has a consignment section, so maybe you can eat rope after all.

What keeps you motivated?

New routes I have not climbed yet. Easy or hard, new is what keeps me motivated.

Which crag or mountain is your favourite and which do you consider the most beautiful in the world?

Cathedral Ledge, New Hampshire. Blow Me Down, Newfoundland. Lotus Flower Tower, Northwest Territories.

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