| Title |
Oral history interview of Melissa Lipani, conducted by Tallie Casucci (audio and transcript) |
| Creator |
Lipani, Melissa |
| Contributor |
Casucci, Tallie |
| Description |
Melissa Lipani (b. 1975) was born and raised in Rochester, New York. Her family owned Lipani's Bakery, which unfortunately burned and was never re-opened. Melissa participated in dance and gymnastics as a youth. Melissa moved during college to Fort Collins and feel in love with the mountains and being outside. She eventually found climbing and became obsessed. After a period of traveling and climbing throughout North America with her husband, Adam Holmes, they settled in Salt Lake City. Melissa worked at Black Diamond Equipment in various positions and then for several animal welfare organizations and now is a real estate agent. Melissa recounts memorable boulders in Little Cottonwood Canyon and Joe's Valley, along with volunteer work with HERA Ovarian Cancer Foundations' Climb for Life events in Salt Lake City. Melissa continues to foster dogs and does dog therapy for the third district courthouse. |
| Additional Information |
00:21 Youth in New York; 14:31 Moving to Colorado to attend Colorado State University; 16:34 Watching people climb for the first time and being mesmerized; 21:51 Climbing at Inner Strength for the first time; 23:45 - Inspirational women; 27:32 Climbing community in Fort Collins; 22:12 First time climbing outside; 35:07 - Road tripping and climbing; 45:50 Moving to Salt Lake City; 50:03 Salt Lake climbing community in 2005; 55:61 Bouldering in Little Cottonwood Canyon; 1:15:43 Offensive boulder names and first female ascents; 1:20:28 Being a sponsored athlete; 1:23:02 Volunteering with HERA; 1:27:16 Transition from volunteer to employee for animal welfare societies; 1:36:35 Love of block-headed dogs; 1:38:55 Fostering dogs; 1:43:24 Dog therapy; 1:48:38 Mentors; 1:51:23 Finding balance; 1:53:59 Biggest challenge for climbing community; 1:56:18 Impact and the future |
| Date |
2022-12-22 |
| Spatial Coverage |
Millcreek, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, 40.68689, -111.87549; Little Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, 40.57275, -111.77296 |
| Subject |
Rock climbing; Rock Climbers; Outdoor Recreation |
| Collection Number and Name |
DA0002 Rock Climbers Oral History Project |
| Collection Name |
Rock Climbers Oral History Project |
| Holding Institution |
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah |
| Type |
Text; Sound |
| Format |
application/pdf |
| Language |
eng |
| Rights |
 |
| Access Rights |
I acknowledge and agree that all information I obtain as a result of accessing any oral history provided by the University of Utah's Marriott Library shall be used only for historical or scholarly or academic research purposes, and not for commercial purposes. I understand that any other use of the materials is not authorized by the University of Utah and may exceed the scope of permission granted to the University of Utah by the interviewer or interviewee. I may request permission for other uses, in writing to Special Collections at the Marriott Library, which the University of Utah may choose to grant, in its sole discretion. I agree to defend, indemnify and hold the University of Utah and its Marriott Library harmless for and against any actions or claims that relate to my improper use of materials provided by the University of Utah. |
| Note |
The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect any views, opinions, or official policy of the University of Utah or the J. Willard Marriott Library. |
| ARK |
ark:/87278/s6jq9z52 |
| Extent |
30 pages; 1:59 |
| Genre |
oral histories (literary works); sound recordings |
| Setname |
uum_rcohp |
| ID |
2373034 |
| Reference URL |
https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6jq9z52 |
