Smith grew up rambling through the rhododendron thickets of the Appalachians and fell in love with climbing while working at the North Carolina Outward Bound School. He eventually moved westward, taught climbing for NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), and climbed throughout the region before moving to Teton Valley, Idaho in 2008.
Smith teaches high school English at the Jackson Hole Community School during the school year.
He spends his free time exploring the Teton backcountry and adventuring with his family.
