Peter Mayfield - Founder NatureUp Health/Legendary Mountain Climber/Indoor Climbing Business Pioneer

Peter Mayfield is a remarkable visionary whose life unites elite climbing achievement, entrepreneurial innovation, and transformative mental-health advocacy—making him a genuine renaissance man in sport, business, and human well-being.

🧗‍♂️ Climber & Mountaineer:

Peter’s relationship with the mountains began in childhood and grew into a distinguished climbing career:

He became one of the leading climbers of his generation, rising to Chief Guide of the Yosemite Mountaineering School—one of the most respected institutions in the world of alpine and big-wall climbing.

In the early 1980s, Peter made notable ascents on Yosemite’s iconic walls, including first ascents and bold climbs on routes like Zenyatta Mondatta and The Big Chill on Half Dome alongside famed climber Jim Bridwell.

"His climbing style combined technical prowess with an ethos of humility and connection to nature, reflecting an understanding of adventure that transcended pure competition or conquest."
Brad Rassler

🧗‍♂️ Pioneer of Indoor Climbing Gyms

Peter wasn’t just a great outdoor climber—he helped reshape the way climbing is experienced worldwide:

In 1990, he **founded **CityRock—the world’s first full-service indoor climbing gym, located in Emeryville, California. CityRock introduced many innovations that are now standard in climbing facilities, including structured instruction, safety testing like the now-ubiquitous belay test, youth programs, and community-engaged events. On its grand opening weekend in 1990, CityRock drew nearly 900 visitors, demonstrating early and powerful interest in climbing as a mainstream recreational sport.

Peter’s vision for indoor climbing helped catalyze the boom in climbing gyms that today number in the hundreds across the U.S. and world, bringing the sport to millions who might never reach a real cliff face.

🌲 Entrepreneur & Educator

Beyond sport, Peter’s work reflects a deeply human and educational mission:

After CityRock, he founded Yosemite Guides, offering interpretive eco-tours and nature-based education—precursors to modern ecotourism and experiential learning.

🧠 Mental Health Advocate & Innovator

Peter’s later career focuses on healing, resilience, and youth development through nature:

In 2006, he founded the Gateway Mountain Center at Donner Summit, California—an innovative nonprofit serving 30,000+ youth with environmental literacy, adventure programming, and nature-based mentorship. At Gateway, he developed “Whole Hearts, Minds & Bodies”, a clinically supervised nature-based therapeutic mentoring program for young people with complex trauma and emotional challenges. This program became one of the first in the U.S. to secure county behavioral health contracts and Medicaid reimbursement, a major milestone in integrating nature-based therapy into formal mental health systems.

Today, Peter leverages decades of experience through NatureUp Health, advancing scalable, evidence-informed approaches that use nature engagement to improve emotional well-being.

To learn more or contact Peter, please go to: https://natureuphealth.com/