Oral history interview of Larry Coats, conducted by Tallie Casucci (audio and transcript)

Larry L. Coats (b. 1955) grew up in northwestern New Mexico downhill ski racing, backpacking, and rock climbing. As a college student, Larry moved to Flagstaff to become a better climber. Quickly Larry and his friends started developing new wilderness, minimal impact, traditional climbs in New Mexico, Colorado, and other Western states. In 2004, Larry moved with his wife to Salt Lake City and became an Adjunct Professor in the University of Utah's Geography Department. While in Flagstaff, Larry served as a mountaineering guide for several scientific expeditions in the Grand Canyon looking at condor fossils in caves. As Larry learned more about the science, the Steve Emslie and Jim Mead encouraged him to go back to school for Quaternary Sciences at Northern Arizona University. Larry continues to do research with Steve and Jim in Antarctica and the Snake Range in Nevada related to the Ice Age climates by utilizing remains and fossils from condors, pack rats, and Adélie penguins. Most recently Larry is helping cavers map a massive cave system in Nevada that Larry helped to discover.