Our Team
Mark Rafferty | President
Mark Rafferty, a 26-year-old native of the Black Hills, has spent his life climbing in the southern hills of Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Elk Wilderness. When not challenging himself with outdoor climbing pursuits, Mark is either immersed in nursing school or enjoying quality time with his wife and their two dogs in their campervan.
Brandon Emery | Vice President
Brandon was born and raised in the Black Hills, where he grew up climbing. He graduated from the University of Wyoming where he studied Psychology, Outdoor Leadership, and Environment and Natural Resources. He has now made his home in Custer where he owns and operates the South Dakota Outdoor Shop and Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service. Brandon has worked as an AMGA climbing guide for the past 7 years, and is passionate about sharing the sport of climbing with aspiring climbers. As a Black Hills Native, Brandon is very dedicated to protecting and maintaining our local climbing areas. On his days off, you might find Brandon and his dog, Khayyam, rock and ice climbing or sliding downhill on a pair of skis.
Jim Slichter | Treasurer
Jim has been climbing in the Black Hills since 1973 mainly in the Needles and at Devil's Tower. Several years ago, he completed his goal of climbing every single one of the Cathedral Spires. When not climbing with his wife Denise, he might be found out in more remote areas of the Black Elk Wilderness searching for some of those seldom visited Conn routes.
John Lang | Secretary
A long time Black Hills climber (10+ years), John is motivated to stay involved in the climbing community during this important time of policy development. John grew up with the Hills in his backyard and always wanted to be involved in conversations that will have a lasting impact on climbing in the Black Hills.
Peyton Rafferty | Publicist
Peyton moved back to the Black Hills area after completing her BS in Biology from Dickinson State University. She plans on nursing school in the coming year. She can be found romping around the Black Hills in her van with her husband and their dogs Cu & Niah.
Ron Yahne | Co-Member at Large
Ron grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota & started climbing in 1972! He helped start the BHCC in 1991 and received the “Menocal Life Time Achievement Award” from the Access Fund in 2018 for his leadership in the Black Hills climbing community and for being at the forefront of one of the longest-running and most successful bolt replacement programs in the country.
Jason McNabb | Co-Member at Large
Bio.
Chris Hirsch | Bolting Repair Committee Chair
Climbing since 2002, he recognized how special the Black Hills are and moved here in 2009 to forever explore and develop. When he doesn’t have to work as a local contractor, he’s usually out bolting new routes and fixing old ones, building bouldering landings, hiking/trail running, and mountain biking. Chris is proud to be involved in the BHCC route repair efforts and finding the most sustainable methods possible.