CURRENT MISSION

To live the most complete life I possibly can and to be as present as possible in every moment.

ABOUT ME

Hi there! I’m Dustin (or Dusty), a 27 year old climber and musician who loves road trips, good beer, and the outdoors.

New Jersey native, DC Metro Area transplant. Currently residing in the Bay Area of California to continue my quest to be smart or something like that.

Climbing is more than a sport for me, it’s more of a lifestyle. I climb because it’s the way I exist in the world, the way I move, and the way I express myself. Climbing has given me most of the things I love in life.

Beyond that, I’m a self-admitted nerd with a passion for science, infectious diseases, and zombies. I have an M.S. in Biohazardous Threat Agents & Emerging Infectious Diseases, and I’m currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Infectious Disease & Immunity.

I’m a lover of the beach, the ocean, and surfing. Hatteras Island is like a second home to me.

I enjoy playing the guitar, ukulele, and trumpet and attempting to sing, though the jury is still out as to whether others enjoy it as well.

And I’m an adventurer in a constant state of wanderlust. I love long drives, sleeping in cars (or in tents or under the stars), blasting music with the windows down, open mic nights, and bonfires on the beach. I’m lucky to have a wonderful life surrounded by wonderful people.

Feel free to contact me! Stay stoked and climb on!

PHILOSOPHY

There is no path to happiness; happiness is the path.

It's not about where you're going, but all about getting there - not just traveling, but with everything in life. The people you cross paths with, the experiences you gain, those are the important things. Life is full of many amazing, beautiful things, but it's up to you on a personal level to find what they are.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I love to travel, though my experiences have been rather limited. I'm always looking for a new adventure, despite the fact that I love my comfort zone. I want people to be able to get the same thrill and joy from the world as I get, so I graciously offer a couch for those who may need one.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I was in San Diego for a conference, and because of some poor planning on my part and awful communication/luck with friends, I ended up with no place to stay for 3 nights. I thought all was lost until I remembered a site my friend introduced me to - CouchSurfing. Though the requests I made were as last minute as could possibly be (night before/day of arrival), I got lucky and found an awesome person willing to offer a place to crash. It was an incredible experience. I got to see a lot of San Diego, and I got to teach my host a few things. Hanging out and becoming friends with Robert (my host) really made the trip special. Hands down, one of the single best experiences of my life.

Interests

Climbing, Music, Surfing, Hockey, Infectious Diseases, Zombies

• singing
• beer
• traveling
• cars
• music
• guitar
• piano
• trumpet
• outdoor activities
• adventure races
• surfing
• sports
• rock climbing
• hockey
• science
• road trips
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: constantly changing, but generally Brand New, Bright Eyes, Beirut, The Dangerous Summer, The Wonder Years, Josh Ritter, The Oh Hellos, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, Knuckle Puck, Driver Friendly

Movies: Up in the Air, Little Miss Sunshine, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Up, Contagion, 28 Days Later, Garden State...many, many others.

Shows: The Walking Dead, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, Steven Universe, Star Trek: TNG, Monk, NCIS

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Surfed/Bodyboarded in Tropical Storm Cristobal (2009).
Surfed in Hurricane Igor (2010).
Climbed at Rumney in New Hampshire (2011).
Climbed at Joshua Tree National Park (2012).
Climbed at the New River Gorge, WV (2012).
Climbed in Yosemite Valley, CA (2012).

Teach, Learn, Share

Climbing
Music (piano, guitar, ukulele, trumpet)
Surfing/Bodyboarding/Handboarding
German
Microbiology/Public Health/Infectious Diseases/Zombies

What I Can Share with Hosts

Bathroom, small kitchen, floor, couch

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, Panama