Mark Synnott - New Hampshire Climbing Guide and Professional Climber
Will, Lauren, Lilla, Matthew, Sheva and Mark Synnott
Mark Synnott, 42, is reknowned in the climbing world for his many big wall and alpine climbing adventures. His travels have taken him on more than 25 expeditions to places like Alaska, Baffin Island, Greenland, Iceland, Patagonia, Guyana, Pakistan, Nepal, India, China, Tibet, Cameroon, Chad, Borneo and Pitcairn Island. One of the first climbers to explore Baffin Island's remote east coast, Mark has been on five trips to the island, and has pioneered four big wall first ascents in the area, including a grade VII on the 4700-foot north face of Polar Sun Spire -- an epic wall that required the team to spend 36 nights in portaledges. Two years later, Mark returned to the same area with a team of North Face Athletes to produce a big wall climbing documentary for the National Geographic Society -- one of six National Geographic sponsored expeditions he has participated in.
In the Karakoram, Mark established two grade VII big wall first ascents -- The Ship of Fools on Shipton Spire and Parallel Worlds on Great Trango Tower. The latter, a 6000-foot wall topping out over 20,000 feet (completed with Jared Ogden and Alex Lowe in 1999) is one of the longest rock climbs in the world.
As a free climber, Mark has tackled notorious adventure routes like the East Face (5.11+R) of Mt. Babel in the Canadian Rockies and Stratosfear (5.11+R) in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. At the crag he has onsighted 5.12 and redpointed 5.13. In Yosemite, Mark has climbed El Capitan 22 times, including one days ascents of the Nose, Tangerine Trip, Lost in America and the West Face. In 1997 he snagged the coveted second ascent of El Cap’s hardest line, the Reticent Wall (A5). Equally comfortable on ice and mixed terrain as he is on rock, Mark has climbed Grade 6+ testpieces in the Candian Rockies, France, and Norway.
When he's not in the mountains, Mark works with The North Face Research, Design and Development team and lectures frequently on his life of adventure. He has done motivational speaking for clients like General Motors, Vanity Fair, and the National Geographic Society. Mark has also worked extensively in the film and television industry, both in front of and behind the camera. His credits include work for National Geographic Television, NBC Sports, Warren Miller Films, and Rush HD.
Mark has written many articles over the years and his work has appeared in National Geographic, National Geographic Adventure, Men’s Journal, Outside, Climbing, Skiing, New York Magazine and many other publication in the US and abroad. In 2007 he published his first book: Baffin Island: Climbing, Trekking, Skiing.
Synnott Mountain Guides was born in 1997, the year before Mark got married and had his first child. Since then the business has grown steadily every year, and Mark and his guides have successfully trained hundreds of aspiring climbers. In 2004, Mark began the process of attaining certification from the American Mountain Guides Association. He was certified in the Rock discipline in 2006 and attained his Alpine certification in September, 2009. He is working diligently now on the Ski certification, and is hoping to attain the coveted IFMGA guide status in the next two years.
Mark lives on a dead-end dirt road in Jackson, New Hampshire with his wife, three children and two dogs.
Education Middlebury College, VT B.A. in philosophy 1993 Dean's list 1990, 1992; College Scholar 1993 Alumni Achievement Award 2001
Professional Experience
Climbing Magazine Senior Contributing Editor
The North Face Climbing Team member Technical Consultant to Product Development
Freelance Photojournalist My work has appeared in: National Geographic, National Geographic Adventure, Outside, Men's Journal, Climbing, Skiing, Unlimited, and many other publications.
National Geographic Magazine April-July 1998 -- climbing talent for documentary on Baffin Island big wall first ascent.
National Geographic Television April-July 1998 -- climber/videographer for documentary on Baffin Island big wall first ascent August 1998 -- chief rigger/climbing talent for documentary shot in Iceland December 1999 -- climber/expedition leader for documentary on freeclimbing in Cameroon July 2000 -- chief rigger for documentary shot in British Columbia
NBC Television June-August 1999 -- climber/videographer/expedition leader for documentary on climbing Great Trango Tower in Pakistan
Warren Miller Films June 2001 - climber/skiing talent for climb and ski descent from the NW summit of Mt. Waddington, Coast Range, BC
Media Presentations I present approximately 20 slide shows a year
Awards/Grants Piolet D'Or NW face of Great Trango Tower nominated in 1999 Mugs Stump Award 1996 for ascent of Polar Sun Spire in Baffin Island AAC Mountaineering Fellowships to Baffin island 1995, 1996 National Geographic Expeditions Council Grant for 1999 Cameroon Rhumsiki Tower expedition, 2003 Mt. Roraima expedition, and 2005 Pitcairn Island expedition
Sponsors The North Face, La Sportiva, Metolius, Sterling Ropes, Petzl, Clif Bar
Climbing Achievements
Baffin Island The Great and Secret Show VII 5.11 A4 WI3 North Face of Polar Sun Spire (first ascent) Crossfire VI 5.10 A4 South Face of Great Cross Pillar (first ascent) Nuvualik VI 5.10+ A3+ West Face of the Turret (single push: 40 hrs/with fixing; first ascent) Rum and the Lash VI 5.10 A4+ Northwest Face of Sail Peak (first ascent)
Karakoram, Pakistan The Ship of Fools VII 5.11 A2 WI6 Northeast Face of Shipton Spire (first ascent) Parallel Worlds VII 5.11 A4 Northwest Face of Great Trango Tower (first ascent of NW Face and West summit)
Patagonia The Compressor Route 5.10 A1 Cerro Torre (27 hours from Norwegian camp) SCUD 5.11, 7 pitch direct start to Exocet, Cerro Stanhardt (attempt) Attempted first alpine style ascent of Fitzroy's 2200m Slovak Route on west face Nepal Attempt on North Face of Jannu (25,294 feet) Alaska Shaken Not Stirred, west face of Moose'sTooth, Alaska Range, (reached middle summit, 6 hrs. on route) The Dream in the Spirit of Mugs V 5.10c, west face of the Eye Tooth (24 hours r/t) Cameroon The Great Technical Adventure 5.12d Rhumsiki Tower (first ascent, 10 pitches, redpointed route) Bugaboos The Shooting Gallery VI 5.10 A2+ West Face of North Howser Tower (led every pitch; first ascent) Beckey-Chouinard V 5.10 Southwest Pillar of South Hower Tower Canadian Rockies East Face of Mt. Babel IV 5.11 (15 hrs. car to car) East Ridge of Mt. Temple East Ridge of Mt. Edith Cavell Yosemite El Capitan: 22 ascents including 2nd ascent of Reticent Wall (A5) and single pushes on Lost in America (24:47; 2nd fastest), Tangerine Trip, Lurking Fear (9+ hours), Nose (13:45), and West Face Regular Northwest Face VI 5.10 A2 Half Dome (one day) Lost Arrow Spire Direct VI 5.11 A3 Yosemite Falls Wall Misty Wall VI 5.10 A3 Yosemite Falls Wall West Face V 5.10 A2 Leaning Tower (single push: 7 hrs.) South Face V 5.10 A1 Washington Column Steck-Salathe V 5.9 Sentinel Chouinard-Herbert V 5.11+ Sentinel Direct North Buttress V 5.10 Middle Cathedral
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Stratosfear VI 5.11+ R Painted Wall The Dragon Route VI 5.10 A4 (first winter ascent of Painted Wall) Paint it Black VI 5.11 A3+ North Chasm View Wall (2nd ascent, winter) Air Voyage V 5.12a North Chasm View Wall Scenic Cruise V 5.10 + North Chasm View Wall Goss-Logan V 5.11 R North Chasm View Wall Astro-Dog V 5.11+ South Chasm View Wall Southern Arete V 5.10+ Painted Wall
The Desert Southwest The Ball and Chain VI 5.10 A4 North Face of Angel's Landing, Zion (3rd ascent, led every pitch) The Sundevil Chimney VI 5.9 A4 The Titan, Fisher Towers Colorado NE Ridge V 5.9 A2 King Fisher, Fisher Towers The Kor Route V 5.10 A3 Steamboat Rock, Dinosaur National Monument (3rd ascent) Approximately 20 desert tower free routes Selected Ice Routes Acid Howl, Canadian Rockies WI 6+ The Terminator, Canadian Rockies WI 6+ Les Miserables, Canadian Rockies WI 6+ Gramusat Direct, Tete Du Gramusat, France WI6+ Hydnefossen, Hemsedal, Norway WI 6+ Mixed Routes Manchurian Refuge M7+ Trollville, NH (first ascent) Cold, Cold World M8+ Eagle Cliff, NH (2nd ascent) Snake LipM8 Trollville, NH (first ascent) Diaper Rash M7 Trollville, NH (2nd ascent) The Mongol M8 Trollville, NH (1st ascent)(first ascent)
Free Climbs Best on-sight: 5.12b Best redpoint: 5.13b
Synnott Genealogy
Chronicled by W.R.Synnott (Mark's father), Boston, Mass. May, 1969
The genealogy of the Synnott families in America, Ireland, and England was researched by the Rev. C. N Sinnett in a book titled "Sinnett Genealogy" published by the Rumford Press, N. Y.. 1910.
This work showed that the Synnott name has taken several forms over the years including Sennett, Sinnett, Sinnott, Synott, and Synnott. In the preparation of his work, the Rev. Sinnett consulted with the most prominent members of the Sinnett, Sinnott, and Synnott families in America and in Ireland, as well as with authorities in the County of Wexford, Ireland, ancestral home of the first traceable Sinnott.
The original Sinnott name was traced back to 1172 by the Honorable Philip Herbert Hore of the Imperial Institute, London, whose histories of Wexford and other towns of Ireland have had a wide enthusiastic reading. Mr. Hore stated:
"Synnott is not at all a French Huguenot name, as has been quite often said. This was a family from Normandy, which came to England at a very early date. Sir Walter Sinnott, a knight of great valor, came to Wexford, Ireland with Richard LeClare, and the famous Earl Strongbow about the year 1172. All the Sinnotts of England, Ireland, and America are descended from this ancestor and practically all are from ancestors of County Wexford, Ireland."
The chronicle of the County of Wexford, Ireland, brought down to 1877, and compiled with great care by George Griffiths, editor of the Wexford County Almanac and Directory included this bit of history of interest to every member of the Synnott family:
"The County of Wexford, Ireland was the first place that the Anglo-Norman invaders landed and made a settlement. It was an event of vital importance to the country involving a total change in its laws, manners and customs and subjected them to these conquerors for over seven centuries. Immediately, on the plantation of the Anglo-Saxon Colony in Forth, after the surrender of Wexford to Strongbow, proper steps were taken to render it self-reliant and independent in its own resources. The Colony became populous and was, in fact, a perfect hive of industrious bees producing honey in abundance. The ancient gentry and inhabitants of the Barony derive their original extraction lineally from England - their predecessors having been officers in the Army under Fitz Stephen who invaded Ireland."
"After the conquest thereof, district allotments of land were assigned them which they peacefully and contentedly possessed for nearly 500 years. Many gentlemen and freeholders perpetuated the memory of their progenitor and family, always conferring their real estate on their male progeny, or next male descending lineally in consanguinity, so that there are until this day many great habitations and villages retaining the name of the first conquering possessor, such as Sinnottstown, Hayestown, Horetown, etc."
Another passage of interest which George Griffiths relates is the following:
"After mentioning that there were very numerous branches of the Synnotts, we may give an anecdote concerning them. They had acquired such large properties and were so scattered, that when Sir Richard Sinnott was Sheriff of County Wexford in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, he summoned a Grand Jury of which every member was one of his own name. On hearing the name so frequently reiterated, the justice facetiously remarked that to judge by their vast estates and good living, they must have obtained their fair lands by virtuous courses, and acted, and would act, up to their name, sin - not!"
The following, "Genealogy of the Ancient and Noble Family of Sinnott of Sinnott's land in the County of Wexford, Ireland" was copied with great care by Walter Sinnott, Esquire, of Orristown, Killinick, County Wexford, Ireland:
"Sir Walter Sinnott, the first of that noble family, came to Ireland with Richard LeClare, and Earl Strongbow, about the year 1172. Soon after his arrival in Ireland, he was appointed governor of the town and County of Wexford, together with Sir William Devereux. Soon after the arrival of King Henry the Second in Ireland, he, for his good services, obtained the lands and estate now called Sinnott's Land. He married the daughter of the aforesaid William Devereux, and had issue."
"Sir Walter Sinnott, the eldest son, succeeded his father in the estates. He built the fine old Castle of Ballyfarnogue and married in 1286, Alice De LaRoche, daughter of Sir William De LaRoche, who was then the Lord and owner of Roche's Land.
"Sir Walter Sinnott, the second eldest son, succeeded his father. He accompanied King Edward the First to the Holy Land in 1272, and lost his life in the field, fighting against the infidels for the Honor and Glory of God and his country. Sir William Sinnott, his son, obtained Ballybrennan, in the Barony of Forth, and County of Wexford, where he built a strong castle. He married, about 1360, Catherine Whitby, daughter of Sir Richard Whitby of Ballytange, whose family was hereditary armor bearer for the Kings of England. Several children were born to Sir William."
From the Journal of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society in 1862, quoted in Chronicles of County Wexford by George Griffiths:
"There are many distinct families of the Sinnotts in the said County [Wexford], in number exceeding any other ancient name within the limits, whose estates were valuable and whose possessors were frequently entreated with greatest authority in affairs of public concern in that county, from whose progeny descended several men remarkable for school learning and endowed with heroic spirits. They were vigorously active in their constant and loyal affection to the Crown of England, during all combustion and rebellious insurrection in Ireland, wherein they resolutely demeaned themselves, exposing what was most dear unto them and their lives, opposing, repelling, and suppressing common enemies. During the fifteen years war in Queen Elizabeth's reign, Richard Sinnott of Ballybrennan, commanding and having the conduct of forces raised in said County, afforded signal testimony of their valor and loyalty to their Prince and county in several violent and fierce conflicts, returning with their party victorious. Richard Sinnott, of Ballybrennan, Eng. the eldest son, performed services to the Crown during Elizabeth's reign; he was a Knight of the Shire in 1579. For numerous demonstrations of fidelity and noble service, the said Richard Sinnott became Her Majesty's favorite, on whom, as a royal gratuity, she vouchsafed gratuitously to confer a considerable estate of forfeited lands."
These writings show clearly that for nearly five centuries, from the arrival of Sir Walter Sinnott in 1172 until the Cromwellian usurpation in 1649, the Sinnott's owned and enjoyed vast estates, attained high places of power and trust, and distinguished themselves with valor and honor upon their deeds.
It is at this point in the history of the Sinnot family, however, that we find the reason why it ahs been impossible to directly trace the Sinnott ancestry beyond this time. Oliver Cromwell, commander of the English forces, on the first of October, 1649, came before the West gates of Wexford and demanded surrender of the town. He was met by Colonel David Sinnott, then Governor or Wexford. Colonel Sinnott, quietly strengthening his defenses, for three days parlayed with him as to terms of capitulation.
But on the 4th of October, Cromwell suddenly struck, under cover of his fleet, a fierce blow at the defenses covering the town. The last moment came on the 11th of October. After about a hundred shots had been fired, the Governor hung out a flag of truce and offered to treat by sending four of his men to talk to Cromwell. The Captain of the Castle, James Stafford, was one of the Commissioners sent with Colonel Sinnott's propositions. The Captain, in exchange for his own life and safe conduct, yielded up the Castle to Cromwell and there followed a bloody, battle, completely decimating the town and its inhabitants. Bishop French, who wrote of the scene was quoted as saying:
"There before God's altar fell many sacred victims, holy priests of the Lord; others who were seized outside the precincts of the Church were scourged with whips; others hanged; and others put to death by various and cruel tortures - the best blood of the citizens was shed; the very squares were inundated with it, and there was scarcely a house that was not defiled with carnage and full of wailing."
During the battle of Wexford, Colonel Sinnott and two of his brothers were felled in the defense of the town, and the town was lost. Cromwell, enraged by the opposition he had encountered from the Sinnott's, confiscated their lands and destroyed all records of the Sinnott family then existing. Walter Sinnott, Esq. of Orristown, Killinick, County Wexford, Ireland, said in one of his letters:
"I can find no trace of the Sinnott line in Wexford. It would be impossible to trace that line, for the family took a leading part in opposing Cromwell in Wexford. Their lands were confiscated, and the Sinnotts were widely scattered, and many of them left homeless. I live near Ballybrennan, one of the ancient seats of the Sinnott family, and there is nothing to be seen, or any tablet, or memorial stones, which the Sinnotts erected before the time of Cromwell, or for long years afterward. Cromwell was determined that every trace of the family should be swept from the earth.
"The penal laws followed this victory, and the Sinnott family remained in great obscurity, as no Catholic could be educated in Ireland; He must remain ignorant unless he had the means of going to the Continent for study. There was only one Sinnott family whose history differs from the rest. The widow of the brave Colonel David Sinnott who had defended Wexford married one of Cromwell's officers, and turned Protestant, as also did her son, David Sinnott. From this young David are descended the Synnots of Armagh. Some of these have prospered much."
The Chronicles of County Wexford, by George Griffiths, give clear statements regarding the scholarly attainments of the Sinnott families through all their generations, giving the names of those who attained high places in the ministry, the writing of historical records, and places of power and trust. Like all other writings which touch upon the history of the Sinnott family, his volume emphasizes again and again the fact that, though scores of the family were butchered by Cromwell's soldiers, and though every one of the name was robbed of the lands which had been in the family for generations, they remained firm in their trust in their God, and held fast to everything of honor and worth which had characterized their ancestors.
Numerous quotations from the Rev. Sinnett's "Sinnett Genealogy 1910" taken from very old records, shows clearly that in this famous, industrious, God-fearing, prosperous and talented Colony of Strongbow at Wexford, the Sinnotts took a leading part and those descended from them through many long generations have kept well this noble inheritance. Nonetheless, the eradication of the Sinnott documentation from the records of County Wexford by Cromwell, makes it impossible to directly trace the family line beyond this time.
The Hon. Philip H. Hore, of London, England, wrote:
"There were at least ten Synnott families with large estates in County Wexford before Cromwell came. In the confiscation of property which followed, they lost all their lands and records. In many cases, former proprietors became tenants of the Cromwellians The name is now usually spelled Sinnott and Synnott, and though their ancestors were so cruelly persecuted, there are thousands of them in County, Wexford."
Thus, the Synnott family holds an old and honorable tradition as a valorous and sturdy family which can trace itself to the original, Sir Walter Sinnott, a knight of great valor and Governor of the Town and County of Wexford, Ireland, to which he came in 1172, and from whom all of the Sinnett, Sinnott, and Synnott families in Ireland and America today are descended.
The Sinnott coat-of-arms, according to the Hon. Philip Herbert Hore, shows the arms to be three cygnets sable, in pale on a field of argent; the name and crest, the sygnet, are no doubt connected, but since surnames only came into being in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, it has not been possible to trace the name to France. The coat-of-arms is accompanied by the motto:
