Our Story
THE NAME MOONROCKS PAYS HOMAGE TO A GEOLOGICAL WONDER LOCATED NEAR PYRAMID LAKE.
WHILE NOT A TRADITIONAL CLIMBING AREA BY ANY MEANS, MOONROCKS OHV IS A PROTECTED AREA BY THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM). THIS POPULAR PLAY AREA IS HOME TO FREE CAMPING, OFF-ROADING AND ROCK CRAWLING WITH BEAUTIFUL SCENERY ANY ADVENTURER WHO SEEKS TO EXPERIENCE SOMETHING “OTHER WORLDLY” IN THE HIGH SIERRA DESSERT.
AN OUTING WITH FELLOW VETERANS RYAN AND TIM TO THE AREA PROVIDED THE CATALYST TO CREATE A NON-PROFIT AIMED AT HELPING VETERANS AND TRIBAL MEMBERS EXPLORE A VARIETY OF SPORTS. FROM THIS EXPERIENCE CAME A HOME WALL HE BUILT IN ROB’S GARAGE IN DECEMBER OF 2019, JUST PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC LOCKDOWNS. DIFFERENT CLIMBERS GRACED THE WALLS OF THE HOME WALL, WHICH WAS EVENTUALLY NAMED MOONROCKS BOULDERING AS IT EXPANDED FROM A SINGLE WALL TO TWO OVERHANGS AND DOUBLE THE CLIMBING AREA. WITH THE HELP OF THE PRE-ESTABLISHED SPONSORS OF THE HOME WALL LIKE ATOMIK CLIMBING HOLDS AND AWESOME CHALK BAGS, THE IDEA GAINED TRACTION AND MOMENTUM.
ON FEB 5TH, 2021, MOONROCKS OFFICIALLY BECAME A 501(C)(3), HITTING THE GROUND SPRINTING TO MEET ITS GOALS.
Rob Haro
Founder/CEO
A Navy Veteran of 8 years, Rob discovered climbing during a camping trip to MoonRocks OHV with Ryan and Twig which kickstarted his interest for the sport in March 2018.
in addition to rock climbing, Rob is an avid outdoors enthusiast, participating in other sports such as mountaineering, mountain biking, whitewater sports and skateboarding to name a few.
Having worked for numerous Non-Profits, he saw a need to keep underserved communities active and healthy, and felt that rock climbing offered tons of mental and physical benefits. Started in February 2021, the idea of a sport based Non-Profit slowly took hold and flourished with no signs of slowing down.
Timothy Terwilliger
Jiu Jitsu Director
Twig joined the Army at 18 weighing in at a massive 127lbs... While deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq he picked up weightlifting and combat sports respectively. Multiple TBI, joint and back injuries forced him to serve out his contract and leave the military, the only consistent structure in his life. In 2011 Twig and his family moved to Fernley, NV to provide in-home health care for his terminally ill aunt. After many denied applications, he fell back on his military training and found work in security where he met Rob Haro.
Fast forward to 2017, Twig and Rob were moving irons, when Rob convinced him to return to combat sports. To minimize chances of making his TBI worse, he focused on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Twig currently uses BJJ to fight off PTSD, depression, anxiety, chronic pain and arthritis throughout his body. He wears a three-stripe blue belt under Michael Borden at Liberty Fitness, Gary Grate Affiliate.
Ryan Spitler
Veteran Liaison
Ryan was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and has lived in several different parts of the world, but Reno is among his favorites. He moved to Reno in 2003 after an honorable discharge from the US Army before working at the Reno VA medical center in 2015 where he continues to work as a Peer Support Specialist. Being able to work with and serve fellow Veteran families has truly been the honor of Ryan’s life.
Ryan was introduced to climbing by Rob Haro in 2018 while struggling with some very difficult life circumstances and climbing proved to be a very effective coping strategy. Climbing quickly became one of my favorite hobbies. When MoonRocks Bouldering offered me the chance to combine this amazing sport with my passion of working with underserved populations, he didn’t even have to think about it.
With the support of his intelligent and beautiful wife and labradoodle Charlee, Ryan is proud to serve as the VA liaison for this great program.
Mindy Gates
Head of Board of Directors
A Navy Veteran of 8 years, Rob discovered climbing during a camping trip to MoonRocks OHV with Ryan and Twig which kickstarted his interest for the sport in March 2018.
in addition to rock climbing, Rob is an avid outdoors enthusiast, participating in other sports such as mountaineering, mountain biking, whitewater sports and skateboarding to name a few.
Having worked for numerous Non-Profits, he saw a need to keep underserved communities active and healthy, and felt that rock climbing offered tons of mental and physical benefits. Started in February 2021, the idea of a sport based Non-Profit slowly took hold and flourished with no signs of slowing down.
Amber Caldwell
Fundraising/Events
Born in Lovelock and raised in Reno, Amber has been to over 13 different countries in hopes to see many more in the future! Her favorite countries so far have been Switzerland and New Zealand. She has a Hobbit hole tattoo and is an avid fantasy worldbuilding reader. She is currently graduating from UNR with her Master’s in Rhetoric and Writing studies. She plans to provide more care and community involvement around people and family members that have experienced loss and grief. Amber has been rock climbing for 4 years now and fell in love with the heights and ability to challenge herself everyday. Currently she is providing grant writing services for Moonrocks in hopes to gain funds for future projects and to see Moonrocks flourish to new heights!
Michelle Hillman
Fundraising/Events
A Navy Veteran of 8 years, Rob discovered climbing during a camping trip to MoonRocks OHV with Ryan and Twig which kickstarted his interest for the sport in March 2018.
in addition to rock climbing, Rob is an avid outdoors enthusiast, participating in other sports such as mountaineering, mountain biking, whitewater sports and skateboarding to name a few.
Having worked for numerous Non-Profits, he saw a need to keep underserved communities active and healthy, and felt that rock climbing offered tons of mental and physical benefits. Started in February 2021, the idea of a sport based Non-Profit slowly took hold and flourished with no signs of slowing down.
Rob Haro
Founder/CEO
Born in Mexico and raised in Reno, Karen returned to the Biggest Little City after attending college in Washington and Iowa. She has 3 years of experience working with at-risk populations with 2 of those years being in a non-profit setting. Currently Karen is working on a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. She also has a 3 year old rescue dog who loves to adventure, especially in the snow.
Karen enjoy’s mountain biking, hiking, snowshoeing, climbing, soccer and love all things outdoors as well as the communities it creates. Her favorite thing about climbing is the intrapersonal dialogue it creates, from failing and learning, to the process of trust and mental resilience.