Meet the Coaches

Ellis Whitson, Head Coach : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Head Coach Ellis Whitson began working with Earth Treks several years ago as an instructor and front desk staff at the Rockville location. His passion for climbing has taken him all over the United States, providing him the opportunity to climb at destinations from California to Colorado to Maine. He began working with the Earth Treks Climbing Team as an assistant coach in 2010 and moved into the Head Coach position in 2011.

Dave Hudson, Team Manager : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dave Hudson began rock climbing in 1995 with friends from college at local Maryland crags. His love of climbing soon got the better of him and he changed his major to Outdoor Education at Salisbury University in Maryland.

In 2001, Dave interned for Earth Treks Climbing Centers and quickly moved into a full time position as the Youth Program Coordinator. Over the next six years he developed the largest and most successful youth climbing team in the mid-Atlantic area. In addition, he was the Director of the Indoor Climbing School and the Group Programming Director for Earth Treks.

After a brief hiatus to be a stay-at-home dad with his newborn son, Dave returned to Earth Treks in 2011 to become the Team Manager. His passion and love for climbing are evident in his enthusiasm to share his knowledge and experience with young climbers.

Dave is currently working on his Graduate Degree at McDaniel College for Physical Education and resides in Olney, MD with his wife, Diane and their son, Kelly.

Matt Jones, Columbia Lead Coach : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Matt began climbing in 2009, during his freshman year of college at the University of Maryland, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (the study of movement in the human body). Before becoming a full-time route setter at Earth Treks, Matt was the head route-setter for the better part of 3 years at the University of Maryland wall and helped to organize a number of large, intercollegiate competitions. Matt's favorite places to climb include Coopers Rock, WV, Stoney Point, CA, and Waimea Bay, HI. 

Bret Stokes, Timonium Lead Coach : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bret first started climbing 12 years ago and has been working to improve his skills and abilities ever since. He attended college at the Maryland Institute College of Art and graduated with a BFA in General Fine Arts. Along the way, he married his high school sweetheart, Sarah, and bought a house in Baltimore. Since starting as a coach with Earth Treks four years ago, Bret has enjoyed watching the climbers on the team improve their skills and gain confidence. He's looking forward to another successful season with the team! 

Will Anglin, Rockville Lead Coach : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Will Anglin started climbing in 2001 as part of the Earth Treks Climbing Team. Throughout high school, he spent weekends and holidays making the trek to “local” climbing areas around West Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, and Pennsylvania. In 2005 Will began his employment at Earth Treks Rockville as part of the birthday party staff. Before long, he became one of Earth Treks’ youngest climbing instructors. A few years into his climbing career, Will injured his shoulder, igniting a deep interest in anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. His passion for knowledge and climbing eventually led him to Western State Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado, where he earned a BA in Outdoor Leadership with a minor in Sports Science.

During his college years, he was able to climb extensively in both Colorado and Utah, repeating many classic routes and establishing nearly 100 new routes and boulder problems up to V12 and 5.13c. Living only an hour away, he was also able to log many ascents of the 2,000ft walls in the notorious Black Canyon of the Gunnison. While in school, Will founded and coached the Western State Climbing Team (2009 Rocky Mountain Regional Champions) and over the summers he returned to Earth Treks as an assistant coach for the Earth Treks Junior Teams. After graduating in May 2012, Will is back in action at Earth Treks and excited to continue sharing his passion for climbing as a part of the Earth Treks community. 

Miura Hawkins, Assistant Coach 

Asst. Coach Miura started climbing when she was 8 and competed in her first Nationals 3 years later. She has been at every Nationals since, has represented the US in multiple international competitions, and was National Champion in 2010. While her competitive climbing days are now behind her, she still enjoys training like Worlds are just around the corner whenever she has time! This will be her second year coaching the Intermediate, Advanced, and ET Teams. She is currently attending Johns Hopkins University where she is planning to major in Cognitive Science and minor in French Culture and Mathematics.