Kirsten Hutton

March 2025 Issue

Career: Marketing Professional
Family: Fiancé, David; Parents, Ed and Carolee; Sister, Liana
Hometown: Hilton Head Island
Current Town: Denver, CO
Passion: Rock climbing & skiing

Life has a way of guiding people toward their calling.
What do you feel you have been called to do?
I think my calling is to bring people together and enrich the lives of those around me through shared passions and experiences. A little about my early years… I was born in New York and later moved with my family to Hilton Head Island. In both places, I dabbled in as many sports as possible, dipped into every art form I could, and joined more social clubs than I can count. I traveled a lot, which exposed me to a vast variety of people and places. Nowadays, I love connecting people to others who I think they might enjoy getting to know, and nothing makes me happier than taking someone out to try a new activity or see a new place with me as their guide.

Your passions, especially rock climbing, are not for the faint of heart.
Tell us about your fear factor.
Fear is a force that drives me, particularly in pursuits like rock climbing. Let’s be honest… everyone has a fear of heights, though it can be more pronounced for some. And I’m not exempt from that! While intimidating at times, the thrill of working through fear and embracing it head-on is both exhilarating and immensely rewarding for me. Overcoming fears is not just about conquering the unknown; it’s about pushing boundaries, testing limits, and discovering my own strength and resilience.

You free-climb rock cliffs that require great athleticism to get to the top. In addition to the physical piece of climbing, what emotions do you experience during a climb?
Climbing has the ability to bring out emotional highs and lows unlike any other sport I’ve encountered. The feeling of hard-won success from eventually reaching the top of a climb without resting or assistance is hard to describe. Sometimes that requires days or even months of going back to the same rock face to push personal and physical boundaries. In climbing, this is called “projecting.” The frustration and fear throughout this process can be overwhelming, but it’s pushing past these emotions that leads to the ultimate high. One particular high that sticks out to me was last year. I had tried a climb in a local area called Clear Creek Canyon, and the first time up the route, I could barely link any moves. It felt way too hard, and like something I’d never be able to get to the top without falling. Fast forward, after months of climbing that same line and falling off each time, one day it just came together. I was being belayed by my best friend, and my partner David was at the top snapping photos (see photo below) I remember clipping the anchors and feeling absolutely euphoric for tackling my hardest challenge yet, while surrounded by my favorite people. I believe the powerful emotional impacts of climbing are a big part of what makes the sport so attractive. 

The danger is real. How do you keep yourself safe during a climb?
The vast majority of climbing accidents are user-generated and entirely avoidable. They happen due to a mistake made on the part of the climber or belayer, so it almost always comes down to user failure and ignorance. Knowing this, climbers are empowered to always check our knots, test the quality of rock, and know our surroundings. Our community of climbers is absolutely committed to safe practices and are always looking out for each other. But while I can lean on others for help, at the end of the day, I know my own safety is in my hands.

 

Obviously, it takes a lot of grit to take on extreme sports,
but you must have a gentle side. What else fills your soul?
I love fostering community wherever I go, whether that’s through food, music, or arts. I enjoy cooking at home and experimenting with new recipes, as well as going out to new, eclectic restaurants in our city. David and I love hosting people at our home for smaller, casual dinners and game nights, and larger get-togethers for any reason we can find - the Oscars, Halloween, a birthday, you name it! Live music and theater are also passions of mine, so you can often find me catching a show with friends downtown or in the mountains!

Who or what gives you inspiration, motivation, and grit?
My family inspires me; I’ve always looked up to my parents for their accomplishments (they’re still growing that list) and my sister, Liana, for her tenacity and grit. They motivate me to nurture important relationships and seek out all the adventures I can because life is fleeting.

Who is your biggest cheerleader and supporter?
My partner, David, is my rock. He cheers me on through the highs and holds me through the lows. I wouldn’t be nearly as passionate about rock climbing or skiing, or anything outdoors for that matter, if it weren’t for him. At the same time, these hobbies are so important to us, and David constantly motivates me to keep going. He also keeps me grounded—literally and figuratively.

You grew up on Hilton Head Island.
What do you miss the most about the Lowcountry?
Definitely the people! I’m surrounded by adventurous, like-minded people in my community here in Colorado, which is wonderful, but the level of hospitality and warmth felt in the Lowcountry is unmatched. I always look forward to seeing many of the same familiar faces around the Island when I come back for visits and instantly feel right back at home.

What’s your next big adventure?
David and I are getting married this year! So, that’s really our next big adventure! Our wedding will be this summer in Colorado, and although we haven’t planned it yet, our honeymoon will probably be a bit more laid back.

What are your currently “roaring” about?
We’d love to go climbing in Turkey or skiing in Japan! Hopefully one of those will make our 2026 travel list.