Our Guide Team
Global Reach
Our U.S. guides either hold full certification with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) – the highest level of guide training available in the US; or are in the process of achieving certification in the AMGA Rock, Alpine, and Ski Disciplines, or all three. Fully certified guides have reciprocity with the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), enabling them to work in Europe and other member countries throughout the world.
Our International guides are based in their home countries and provide service on our trips in Africa, Asia, Europe, Mexico and South America. Many of these trip leaders are IFMGA certified and all have been certified as Wilderness First Responders or the equivalent. These Mountain Madness guides are highly experienced climbers and trekkers and know the mountains, weather and environment better than anyone. They also offer insights into local culture, language, customs, and natural history that most U.S. guides do not possess. This knowledge makes traveling, climbing and trekking with international guides in their home countries a special experience.
Mountain Madness is an accredited by the American Mountain Guide Association.
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Zach Anderson
Zach Anderson
After obtaining his degree in mechanical engineering, Zach joined NOLS for a course in the mountains of Patagonia, Chile. There he realized his love for the serenity and mastery of climbing, and he has since spent his time rock and alpine climbing all over the western United States. Zach lives to push the development of his skills and knowledge in the mountains and help others to realize heights they never thought themselves capable of. Zach is certified in wilderness first Aid, CPR, and is an LNT trainer. When he’s not in the mountains he enjoys woodworking and many other creative endeavors.
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Pancho Francisco Arroba
Pancho Francisco Arroba
Born and raised in Quito-Ecuador, he began this passion for the outdoors and nature as a teenager. Because of his interest for the environment, he studied biology and eventually got a master’s degree in Geographical Information Systems. Pancho has summitted peaks in the Andes of Ecuador, Peru, Aconcagua, and Patagonia, and guided many mountains around South America. In addition to mountaineering, he’s had notebale rock climbs on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, peaks in Montserrat Catalunya, and La Esfinge in Peru. Pancho has a wilderness first responder certification, is part of the Ecuadorian Mountain Guide Association ASEGUIM, as well as currently being in the last stages of achieving his IFMGA certification.
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John Barkausen
John Barkausen
Despite growing up in the flat suburbs of Chicago, John gained a love for wild places early in his life. After earning a degree in Wilderness Leadership from Prescott College, John began turning that love into a career. He has worked throughout the country and internationally, guiding rock climbing, ice climbing, skiing and avalanche courses, sea kayaking, hiking, and even a few biking trips. He has spent much of this time teaching adventurous sports to high school and college aged students. As an outdoor instructor and guide, John strives to get to know each student so that he can provide unique learning opportunities and make sure the adventure meets the student where they are. John has two kids, a lovely wife, a mildly obedient dog, and they all live in Wenatchee, Washington.
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Doug Bernard
Doug Bernard
Skier, climber, adventurer, avalanche educator, military veteran, and currently pursuing training to become an AMGA/IFMGA guide, Doug began his lifelong love of adventuring and building friendships in the mountains at a young age in his hometown of Ketchum, Idaho. Working towards guide certification with his mentors in the guide community and at Mountain Madness has allowed Doug to turn his passion for teaching and sharing experiences in the mountains into a profession. Throughout his life, the mountains have always played an integral role in providing experiences and building friendships as Doug pursued challenge, mastery, stoke, and connection. Doug’s personal and professional work have allowed him the good fortune to ski and climb on five continents. In his spare time, you can find him seeking out stoke in the mountains with friends.
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Sharon Birchfield
Sharon Birchfield
Sharon attended college in Seattle and began climbing with The Mountaineers in 2010. She immediately fell in love with the sport and lifestyle, and has climbed rock, snow, and ice from Canada to Mexico to South America and Europe, but still believes the best alpine climbing can be found in the beautiful North Cascades. She is passionate about introducing folks to the mountains and sharing skills and experiences that will help them exceed their goals and move beyond what they thought was possible. Sharon believes the mountains are a sacred space, with endless lessons to teach us. Sharon is an AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor, Apprentice Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, Ice Instructor, and AIARE Course Instructor. Additionally, she is a Wilderness First Responder and a Leave No Trace Trainer. She is currently training to be an Apprentice Ski Guide and is actively pursuing full IFMGA certification.
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Claire Bollinger
Based in United States
Claire Bollinger
Guide
Claire grew up in the wilds of north Idaho, climbing trees, exploring creeks and backpacking into the wilderness. She has been a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and has a love of movement, stemming from a background in modern dance. Claire enjoys helping her guests explore ease of movement in the mountain environment in order to more fully connect with the power of place. In addition to her interest in the cultures in the areas she guides, she brings a knowledge of botany and geology to add to the learning experience. She has trekked and climbed throughout the world and currently calls Zion Canyon home.
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Max Bond
Max Bond
Max Bond hails from the “glaciated mecca” of Cleveland, Ohio, where he learned to climb on graffiti-covered cliffs and ski on 280-foot hills. After high school, he moved to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where he studied Glaciology and Climate Science at Dartmouth College. Max has guided in Colorado, Washington, the Juneau Icefield, Denali, Ecuador, and the Himalayas. In his personal time, he has climbed and skied peaks in Iceland, France, the Juneau Icefield, the Stikine Icefield, New England, Colorado, California, the Himalayas, and the Pacific Northwest. Max is an AMGA Apprentice Ski and Alpine Guide, and maintains AAA Pro‑1 avalanche, WFR, LNT Trainer, AASI Level 2 Snowboard Instructor, and AIARE Instructor certifications.
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Jack Bynum
Jack Bynum
Jack has 10 years of experience guiding backcountry trips around the world. He has traveled over 20,000 miles by bike, sea kayak, foot, raft, and skis. He became the youngest person to solo Denali and has put up first ascents on 6,000 meter peaks in the Himalayas. In 2016, his solo ascent of Bhandar Lek was listed as one of 20 significant global ascents of the year by the prestigious Piloet d’Or. He calls Seattle home, but is often around the world leading trips or on personal adventures. Zach is a AMGA Assistant Rock Guide, NOLS Wilderness Medicine Wilderness First Responder, WRI Swiftwater Rescue Tech, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and has completed his AIARE Pro 1 Avalanche Course.
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Ted Callahan
Ted Callahan
Ted Callahan has been with Mountain Madness since 2000, leading expeditions in the Cascades, the Caucasus, the Andes, the Nepalese Himalaya, and the Pamir Mountains of China. In addition to guiding, Ted holds a doctorate in anthropolgy and since 2006 has conducted research among Kyrgyz yak-raising nomads in the Pamir/Tian Shan regions of Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. A Fellow of the Explorers Club, Ted is also a published writer and his articles have appeared in numerous magazines. He speaks Chinese, Spanish, Kyrgyz and Persian. In 2016, Ted and his partner were awarded grants from the New Zealand Alpine Club and the Mount Everest Foundation to attempt a new route alpine style linking two 7000m peaks in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush. Ted currently calls Kenya home and climbs mostly in East Africa and the Nepalese Himalaya, where he has summited Cholatse, Makalu, and Everest.
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Viviana Callahan
Viviana Callahan
Viviana Callahan was born and raised in Patagonia, Chile. She has been mountaineering since age 18 and guiding professionally for over 12 years in the Chilean Andes and Aconcagua, Argentina. Viviana is a NOLS mountain instructor, level 2 (training standard UIAA) ENAM, and Wilderness First Responder. She has done multiple expeditions around the world, including the first Chilean Women’s Expedition to Dhaulgiri in the Himalaya, several first ascents in the South and North Ice Field of Patagonia, Cordillera Blanca in Peru, the Alps, Pyrenees, Alaska, and the Andes. Viviana leads our Aconcagua and Patagonia Adventure trips.
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Emiliano Cardenas
Emiliano Cardenas
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Emiliano’s passion for the outdoors started at a very young age when his father took him on hikes in the hills nearby. This enthusiasm took him up the big peaks of Mexico and eventually led to climbs in North America, such Mount Rainier, the Grand Teton, and peaks in the Canadian Rockies. His skills were honed on rock and ice in Colorado, the Tetons, Australia, and the rocks of Mexico. When not pursuing his IFMGA guide certification Emiliano studies mechanical engineering and aspires to the Greater Ranges of the world. He guides in Mexico and Bolivia currently.
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Peter Chang
Peter Chang
Peter comes to the Madness after traveling extensively abroad. From California, Peter has a B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics, is a PADI Divemaster, and a USCG OUPV Captain. He enjoys connecting with people through climbing. When he’s not climbing, Peter’s looking at winds aloft to fly his paraglider or fixed wings. Peter is an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, an Apprentice Rock and Alpine Guide. He also is a Wilderness First Responder.
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Tagg Cole
Tagg Cole
Taggart started to rock climbing in the foothills of the Wind River Range and the Teton Range around his home of Jackson Wyoming at the age of two. He stuck with the sport throughout his childhood and started to alpine climb and ice climb as a young teenager. Since then Taggart had spent his time climbing all over the United States, from Yosemite, California to new routes in the Wind River Range in winter all the way east to Seneca Rock, West Virginia. Taggart had climbed up to 5.13 and M8 and enjoys climbing on all kinds of mediums and sharing experiences in the mountains with others. Taggart is an AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide and an Ice Instructor. In addition, Taggart is a Wilderness First Responder, and is CPR certified.
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Alexandra Croft
Alexandra Croft
Alexandra is a PNW native and has been climbing locally and internationally for over 15 years. Exploring the North Cascades is one of her favorite activities but she also enjoys adventuring internationally in New Zealand, Switzerland, Chamonix, and the Dolomites. Her favorite aspect of guiding is connecting people to nature through climbing and mountaineering. Locally she has guided on Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker and has recently traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Rocky Mountain National Park. She is an AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide, Single Pitch Instructor, and an Ice Instructor. She is also Wilderness First Responder, and has completed AIARE Level 2. She’s spent several years volunteer guiding for a non-profit, and also for Mountain Rescue and her local SAR unit. When she is not climbing, you can find her curing cancer in lab, surfing in Hawaii, and practicing to become a Yogi.
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Robert Fitzgerald
Robert Fitzgerald
Hailing from Texas Hill country, Robert was often found at the top of an oak tree as a child. In 2012 he moved to the San Juan Mountains where he gained a love for rock climbing. On his first climbing trip to Moab, Utah Robert experienced his first hand jam and his life was changed forever. The love of the hand jam took him all over the country, where he climbed in Zion and Yosemite and everywhere in between. Once fully immersed in the world of rock climbing, Robert started to hear stories of climbing in the mountains and became curious. Expanding his vision from crag to mountain, Robert quickly fell in love with skiing and ice climbing. He began his professional guiding career in 2016 in the North Cascades and splits his time between Seattle, Washington and Telluride, Colorado. Robert is currently an AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, and Apprentice Ski Guide.
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James Gallant
James Gallant
James Gallant is a dedicated mountain guide on a mission to help individuals grow and find personal transformation in the mountains. He strives to keep exploring the great outdoors and seeing people achieve their full potential along the way. When it comes to guiding, he prides himself on being patient and supportive, and working with people of all skill levels from beginners to those looking to take their abilities to the next level. He creates a safe and empowering environment where learning and personal growth can flourish. Over nine years, he has had the privilege of guiding and teaching in some incredible locations like Colorado, California, Alaska, and Maine. He has guided on rock, snow, ice, water, desert sand, and beaten trails. These breathtaking places have shaped him as a guide. For James, it’s not just about teaching technical skills, it’s about creating an experience that goes beyond the physical challenges. He believes that the mountains have a way of tapping into our personal growth and transformation, which is why he strives to make each journey an unforgettable one, where his guest can create lasting memories, find a sense of achievement, and discover new strengths within themselves.
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David Garcia
David Garcia
David has been climbing since he was 15 years old and has led expeditions in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. He is a member of the Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides (ASEGUIM) and the International Association of Mountain Guides Associations (UIAGM). David has guided climbs from the most basic rock climbing and mountaineering objectives, to difficult big walls. His passion for climbing and helping people reach their climbing goals is evident in his guiding. When he is not climbing, you can find him teaching math at the University of Quito. He is an extremely hardworking, positive, and patient guide.
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Juliana Garcia
Juliana Garcia
Juliana has been mountaineering in Ecuador since the age of 15. She is the first female Ecuadorian Mountain Guide holding ASEGUIM and IFMGA certification, the highest internationally recognized certification, and has risen to the post of President of Ecuadorian Mountain Guides Association. Additionally she serves on the IFMGA Board of Directors, and is the first woman to serve as a board member. As a climber, Juliana has reached many summits in the Andes, has first ascents in both Peru and Bolivia, and was recently a member of a Gasherbrum II expedition.
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Ramiro Garrido
Ramiro Garrido
He began climbing in his home country of Ecuador at the age of 11. Ramiro often spends his time climbing in the southern Andes of Peru and Bolivia when not in Ecuador. Among his notable ascents, he has climbed Aconcagua by the Polish Glacier Route, a variety of climbs in the Alps, and Pumori in the Himalayas. As a journalist he particularly enjoys sharing with friends, family and acquaintances, his two main passions in life: mountaineering and outdoor photography. He has been guiding with Mountain Madness since 2006 and brings the expertise of an IFMGA/ ASEGUIM certification to all his trips.
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Juan Carlos Gonzalez Camacho
Juan Carlos Gonzalez Camacho
Juan Carlos was born in Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia. For more than thirty years, Juan Carlos has traveled around the world guiding and climbing in Nepal, Russia, Africa, the Alps, the Spanish Pyrenees, Tibet, India, China and the Andes. But, all roads lead him back to his home country, Colombia, where you will enjoy his expertise. Juan Carlos speaks Spanish, English, Danish, and Brazilian-Portuguese.
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Paul Guerra
Paul Guerra
Paul Guerra is passionate about adventures and the outdoor life. For the last 20 years it’s become a fundamental part of his life. Now he shares all his experience and passion for what he does with our clients. He is part of the Ecuadorian Mountain Guide Association “ASEGUIM” and he’s in the process of obtaining IFMGA certification. As a mountaineer and climber he has climbed in many places such as Patagonia, the Himalayas, the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes, and throughout his home country of Ecuador.
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Tavish Hansen
Tavish Hansen
Washington born and raised, Tavish fell in love with climbing at Smith Rock, Index, Leavenworth, and the mountains of the Cascades in high school, going on to find a passion for teaching climbing skills and sharing experiences in the mountains with others. He is now following the dream of climbing and guiding full time, chasing good weather and incredible climbs between the Pacific Northwest, California, Colorado and Desert Southwest.
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Lindsey Hamm
Lindsey Hamm
I began climbing in 2013 and have been guiding since 2014. I strive to achieve the International Federation Mountain Guide Association Pin (IFMGA). When I started down the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) track, I began with my Single Pitch Instructor Certification to gain experience. After a year or two, I began down the AMGA/IFMGA process to hopefully become the 18th woman to be fully pinned in the States. I love traveling to all different parts of the US and other countries to climb. Building a community in every location I travel to is a goal of mine. I love crushing my own guide and personal goals and enjoy seeing my guests crush their goals. I am currently an AMGA Certified Rock and Alpine Guide, and an Apprentice Ski Guide.
I have guided all around Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Alaska, and California. I was awarded the 2016 GORE-TEX Scholarship for an AMGA course, the Rock Guide Discipline from ARC’TERYX, and was awarded the 2019 McNeill-Nott Grant for her expedition back to Zanskar in August 2019.
In 2023, I was awarded the AAC Cutting Edge Grant, McNeill-Nott Grant, and the Grit and Rock Grant to establish new routes at high altitudes for our Summer 2023 Pakistan trip back to the Charakusa Valley.
My love for the outdoors started when I was a young woman living in Texas, yes, Texas. I was fortunate enough to have a mother who brought me around Austin, Texas, Colorado, and Utah to hike and learn how to ski at a young age. Throughout my 20s, I was obsessed with trail running and ran five ultramarathons, and then I was introduced to climbing later in Austin and San Marcos, Texas.
I have established routes in Durango, CO, Indian Creek, and multi-pitches in Moab. Also, I have established alpine routes in Zanskar, India, and in the Charakusa Valley in Pakistan. In 2018 I was in India for a month, attempting to establish a first ascent with my climbing partner. We successfully put up a few towers (Tower One, WI3, M3, 5.9 R), trying to attempt an epic traverse but got shut down by weather. In the summer of 2022, my team and I succeeded in the Charakusa Valley, Pakistan. We established a new route called “Pull Down the Sky” 15 pitches, 5.11R at 16,500 feet.
Aside from climbing, I love to draw. My favorite medium is charcoal. Happy SENDING!
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Stephen Heath
Stephen Heath
Stephen grew up in North Bend, Washington and fell in love with the mountains early on. He spent his childhood exploring the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and started climbing in his early twenties. Depending on the season you can find him rock climbing, skiing, ice climbing or mountaineering. The mountains are his passion and he loves introducing others to them. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and completed AIARE level 2. In addition, Stephen is also an AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide.
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Arthur Herlitzka
Arthur Herlitzka
Arthur has worked as an alpine, rock, and ski guide since 2016. He has guided and climbed alpine routes and ski descents around the world, including the glaciated volcanos of Ecuador, high peaks in the Andes (Aconcagua, Argentina), Canadian Rockies, the Ruth and Tokositna Glaciers of the Alaska Range, Skiing in Takhinsha Mountains of Haines AK, numerous remote, technical alpine climbs and traverses in the Cascades of Washington and High Sierra of CA. First ascents/enchainments and fastest known times in Idaho, Zion UT, the Grand Canyon of AZ. Arthur is a passionate rock climber and skier and spends his shoulder seasons on the big walls of Yosemite, CA and Zion, UT. Teaching is one of Arthur’s favorite aspects to mountain guiding, and alongside avalanche education he balances his guiding work as an adjunct faculty member for Prescott College in AZ. Opening the door of nature and mountain travel to others brings him joy. Arthur looks forward to sharing the rope or skin track with you on the next foray into the alpine realm!
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Joseph Hobby
Joseph Hobby
Joseph began cutting his teeth on rock routes in the Southern Appalachians during his younger years. Later, he moved to the Rockies, where training in the alpine became an integral part of his life. His dedication to the mountain craft awarded him a proficiency in many different styles of climbing including traditional, alpine, ice and mixed. His fondness and contagious devotion to ski mountaineering does not go unnoticed among his partners and guests. Joseph splits time between Salt Lake City and Chamonix most years. When he’s not playing in his backyard, his passions lead him to Alaska, Canada, South America, and the Himalaya in pursuit of shared climbing and ski objectives. Joseph is an IFMGA Mountain Guide.
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Kyle Hornor
Kyle Hornor
Born in Washington, Kyle grew up in the mountains of Colorado. Like a salmon, he has returned to his homeland of the Cascades, where he went from being an occasional climber to “I think I’m going to live in a van so I can do this more”. Additionally, he is enthusiastic about music, farming, food, and sustainability. He is an IFMGA Guide. Kyle also holds a Wilderness First Responder certification and has completed AIARE Level 1.
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Stephen Inman
Stephen Inman
Stephen grew up in New England and began taking hiking trips at an early age. In college, he spent his time exploring the local climbing areas of NH and VT. After graduation, and a brief stint playing professional ice hockey, Stephen moved west to Idaho to pursue a career in the mountains. Stephen worked for the Sun Valley Ski Patrol while climbing and skiing as much as possible during his time off, before making the transition to full-time guiding. Stephen now spends his time guiding in the Northwest, Idaho, Alaska, and the Northeast. He is an AMGA certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, Apprentice Ski Guide, and is taking his Alpine Guide course in Spring 2022. He’s also an Avalanche Pro 1, Wilderness First Responder, and Leave No Trace Master Educator.
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Joshua Jarrin
Joshua Jarrin
Born and raised in Ecuador, Joshua began climbing at the age of ten. As a climber, he has summited peaks in the Andes, the Alps, the Dolomites, the Himalayas and Tien Shan mountains; most notably: Pumori Peak in Nepal, the South face of Aconcagua in Argentina, Khan Tengri in Kyrgyzstan, among others. At the same time, he has established first ascents in Nepal, Ecuador and Peru. As a guide he was trained initially in Ecuador obtaining the ASEGUIM certification and later he completed his UIAGM/IFMGA certification through the international program of the ENSA (National School of Ski and Alpinism of France). Also he is a Wilderness First Responder. Joshua travels around the world helping climbers to achieve high altitude summits like Everest or Aconcagua but he also enjoys technical guiding in the Alps. He is currently the Technical Director of the Ecuadorian Mountain Guides Association ASEGUIM where he trains and mentors new aspiring guides. Outside of the mountains he has a B.A. in Culinary Arts and he is a salsa dancer.
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James “KG” Kagambi
James “KG” Kagambi
In 1987 KG (James Kagambi) began his guiding career in Kenya as a NOLS field instructor. His patience and teaching ability grew from his experience as a grade school teacher, coaching sports, and teaching traditional Africa music. Since his first trips as a guide he reached the ranks of a senior mountaineering instructor at NOLS. In addition to his work at NOLS, he leads Mountain Madness trips to Mount Kenya and the Rwenzoris in Uganda. He has also completed three of the Seven Summits and in 1992 represented Africa in the U.N Peace Climb for the World on the Eiger. KG has summited the Eiger three times, was the first black African to summit Denali in 1989, and was the first black African to summit Aconcagua in 1994. He is actively involved in training Kenya’s mountain rescue teams. Most recently he had the pleasure of meeting Kenya’s president after carrying the 50th Anniversary flag celebrating the country’s independence to the summit of Mount Kenya.
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James Kan
James Kan
A true Seattle local, James has been playing in the North Cascades since he was a child. As a young adult he fished commercially in Alaska and spent his off time in Germany where he found his love for climbing rocks. James has climbed in Mexico, Portugal, Thailand, Canada, Spain, Germany, and all over the West Coast. Guiding for Mountain Madness has also reignited his love for bigger mountains and the opportunity to explore in the Cascades again. He spends his winters in the front and back country on a snowboard, which he has been enjoying for over 25 years. James’ other passions in life when not climbing or snowboarding include mountain biking and cooking. His passion and experience in food has been well received and reviewed in the backcountry. James is currently an AMGA Apprentice Rock and Alpine Guide. He plans to further his education with the AMGA.
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Patrick Lane
Patrick Lane
Patrick grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, USA. From an early age, he enjoyed camping and hiking, later directing his time toward mountain biking, trail running and competitive nordic skiing. His love for the natural environment led him to pursue a degree in Marine Biology at UC Santa Cruz and then spend six years in the US Navy as a Diver doing salvage and underwater submarine repair. Patrick’s Naval service brought him to Washington State where he developed a love of rock climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing. After being honorably discharged, he began summer work guiding rock climbing, canyoneering, and via ferrata. He spent six winters teaching downhill skiing. Patrick eventually focused his efforts toward mountaineering instruction, expedition guiding and instructing, backcountry skiing, and avalanche education. He occasionally moonlights as a remote legal assistant for an immigration attorney. Patrick has lived in Moab, UT, Telluride, CO, and spends about two months of his life every year working West Buttress Expeditions on Denali. He currently lives in Seattle, WA where he is proud to guide and teach for Mountain Madness! Patrick’s favorite part of guiding is meeting new people and helping them learn and grow by challenging themselves as they explore the mountains!
Patrick is an AMGA Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, Apprentice Ski Guide, Certified Single Pitch Instructor and has taken his Ice Instructor Course. He is also an AIARE Course Instructor, PSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor, Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Trainer.
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Mara Larson
Mara Larson
Mara’s world lies in the remote and high peaks of the world. She started out researching the brain at high altitude for NASA, based at Everest base camp. This led to her managing climbing logistics on the mountain for over a decade. She’s assisted with Discovery Channel, the North Face, and on some of the highest rescues on the mountain, often aiding from above the icefall. In her down time, she organizes trail races and running trips across the Himalaya and the Alps, and works at developing local running talent across Nepal. She’s climbed on Manaslu, Ama Dablam, run speed ascents on Aconcagua, and stood on the podium in the Everest and Kathmandu Marathons. She holds the Mountain Leader certification through the British system as well as the American WFR. And she’s most passionate about sharing her Himalayan paradise with those venturing in for the first time!
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Alejo Lazzati
Alejo Lazzati
Alejo fell in love with the mountains in his early years as a boy scout, and became a proficient rock climber in his youth. Through these activities, he met the friends that helped him summit Ecuador’s famed peak Cotopaxi at age 14. Since then, Alejo has spent countless days in the mountains and has shared this love with many aspiring climbers. He has climbed in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and recently did some serious alpine climbing in the Alps as part of his training to obtain his UIAGM certification. Alejo is the second Ecuadorian guide to achieve full UIAGM certification, one of very few US-certified Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians (WEMT), and a certified member of the ASEGUIM. He also works as a climbing, rescue, and outdoor medicine instructor. He enjoys traveling, hiking, scuba diving, running and is a pretty darned good cook.
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Geoff Lodge
Geoff Lodge
A jack of all the outdoor trades, Geoff is a year-round full-time guide based in Bend, Oregon. You’ll find him roaming the local hills of Central Oregon, crimping small handholds at Smith Rock, and slaying lap after lap on his skis. His adventures have taken him all over the United States, Canada, Alaska, and Europe. He’s lead expeditions to Denali and Mt Logan in the Yukon. Skied numerous traverses in Canada and the Alps and amassed over 400+ summits of Mt Hood. To say Geoff likes to be outside, is an understatement! He began his guiding career in 2005 and hasn’t looked back since. Geoff is a fully certified IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide.
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Suzanna Lourie
Suzanna Lourie
Growing up in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Suzanna developed a lifelong love of nature and exploration. As a travel writer and journalist in her twenties, she discovered a passion for “big” mountains during treks in the Himalayas and Patagonian Andes. In 2017, she moved to Southwest Colorado, switching careers to become a wilderness guide and outdoor educator. Over the past five years, Suzanna has dedicated herself to climbing, expanding her skills to explore the mountains more freely.
When not in the Cascades, Suzanna resides in Ouray, CO, where she spends winters pursuing her greatest passion: climbing frozen waterfalls. Whether exploring new or familiar mountain ranges, Suzanna thrive in remote terrain where there’s an “alpine puzzle” to solve. She is most inspired by routes that require problem solving, diverse skills & travel over mixed terrain.
As a guide, Suzanna’s greatest passion is helping others discover their own capabilities & strength through the mountain environment. She aspires to guide high-altitude alpine/ice climbing expeditions in the world’s greater ranges. Suzanna has taken several AMGA courses and is pursuing full certification. She has completed her Pro 1, WFR and is a Certified Yoga Teacher & Leave No Trace Trainer. When she’s not climbing, Suzanna enjoys running ridgelines above 13k in the San Juan Mountains, spending time with her dog and collecting vintage clothing.
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Ricardo Lugo
Ricardo Lugo
Ricardo first began climbing mountains at the age of 18, and so discovered his passion for the mountains, caving and the outdoors. Born in Mexico City, he has worked for Hector Ponce de Leon, since 2009, guiding in the Volcanoes of Mexico, the Cordillera Blanca in Peru, as well as on Kilimanjaro in Africa. When climbing season is over, you can find Ricardo, also a professional caver, exploring, prospecting and developing new projects all around Mexico. Ricardo likes to spend his free time travelling around the country, mountain biking, canyoneering and diving. A certified Wilderness First Responder and fully certified IFMGA Guide, Ricardo enjoys mountain guiding and sharing the wonders of his beautiful home country of Mexico.
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Ben Mality
Ben Mality
Ben has more than 100 ascents of Kilimanjaro. Ben has become our expert guide on the mountain and safari, and one of Tanzania’s premier guides. He enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge and passion of the area’s natural history, and providing his guests with a local’s perspective on Tanzanian culture and history. Ben was born in a village on Kilimanjaro and went to primary and secondary school and eventually attended Seminary in Arusha before becoming a safari guide and then a mountain guide. He is fluent in English, Chagga, Swahili, Maasai and French. Additionally, he knows countless riddles and is a bit of a card-shark. Ben’s professionalism, knowledge, and warm personality make him a favorite..
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Brooke Maushund
Brooke Maushund
Spending the better part of a decade living, working, and climbing in Yosemite National Park, Brooke cut her teeth as a climber toiling away on El Capitan and moving through the High Sierra, including multiple solo & A4 ascents. She’s dedicated her time to rescue and snow science, spending multiple seasons working on Yosemite Valley Search and Rescue, ski patrolling,as an avalanche course instructor, an avalanche center employee, and on a rescue patrol on Denali with the NPS Climbing Rangers. She is passionate about working with people to help them better understand the natural processes of the mountains, and how to move through them more safely. She is an experienced EMT, AIARE Avalanche Course Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, is Winter Mountain Weather Forecasting certified, and is moving through the AMGA Ski Guide Track. She is as big of a snow nerd as it gets, coming from a field engineering background working on remote weather stations, so she’s always stoked to talk snow!
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Sean McNally
Sean McNally
Sean grew up in Austin, TX where he developed an unlikely love for rock climbing at the ripe old age of 9. After spending most of his time at the gyms and limestone crags around his home, he started to set his sights on bigger objectives. Summer trips to Colorado fueled his passion for the mountains until he lit out on his own and headed west. He has been guiding and instructing all over the US but recently landed more permanently in Seattle. Outside of climbing, Sean teaches and enjoys creative writing, music, and fly fishing. Sean is currently an AMGA Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, Ice Instructor, and a Single Pitch Instructor.
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Alex Moss
Alex Moss
Alex has always loved climbing things and being outdoors. Being from South Carolina, this began with trees and buildings, but naturally progressed to rocks and mountains as he got older. After studying Outdoor Education at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, he moved to Utah to work in wilderness therapy. Alex enjoys the metaphors and personal growth that naturally arise outdoors. He loves how empowering learning the skills to move safely through technical terrain can be. He aims to help others learn about their environment and themselves through adventure.
Alex enjoys many forms of climbing and many biomes, but long traverses in the alpine is one of his favorites. Alex has experience climbing and mountaineering throughout the West and Southeast and in five other countries. He is an Aspirant Alpine Guide, Aspirant Rock Guide, and Wilderness First Responder. When not climbing, Alex is likely on an aimless walk, dancing, or having a long conversation with an old friend.
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Brian Muller
Brian Muller
Brian is originally from New Jersey but now splits his time between Salt Lake City, UT and Seattle. Brian works as a Ski Patroller for Snowbird in the winter, and is an AMGA Certified Ski Guide. Brian started guiding in 2009, instructing 24-day Ski Mountaineering Courses and day rock climbing trips in Southeast Alaska. Brian guides for us on Aconcagua, Elbrus, Nun Peak and Pik Lenin and throughout the Northwest. When Brian is not guiding, he can be found looking for every patch of snow he can find to ski, and planning trips to new destinations.
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Gaspar Navarrete
Gaspar Navarrete
Born and raised in Ecuador, Gaspar offers expert insight into the culture and mountains of his home country. He has climbed in the Alps, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and the U.S. He has first ascents in both Bolivia and Ecuador. He was trained as a mountain guide in Bolivia and Chamonix, France and holds ASEGUIM certification. He is the director of the Mountain Guides School from Ecuador when not guiding in South America.
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Ian Nicholson
Ian Nicholson
The first thing you notice about Ian is his never-ending stoke to be sharing the mountains with people, whether on rock, on glaciers or on skis. His passion to be out in the mountains has been known to spur people to greater heights. Ian is an internationally licensed Alpine, Rock, and Ski mountain guide (IFMGA/UIAGM). Ian’s experience stems in part from having established over a half-dozen first ascents in his home range of the Cascades, as well as opening new routes in farther-off regions such as the Waddington Range, Patagonia and the Alaska Range. Ian has also authored a local climbing guidebook entitled SuperTopo: Washington Pass Climbing and is a writer for OutdoorGearLab and Climbing Magazine. Ian is AIARE Level III certified, a Wilderness First Responder and is an AIARE Level 1 and Level 2 Course Leader, and a LNT Trainer.
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Boniface Nkunda
Boniface Nkunda
Boniface Nkunda has been working in the African tourism industry since 2004, starting as a porter and working his way up through assistant guide, head guide, and now assistant expedition leader. He first wanted to climb the mountains because he was born very close to Mount Meru, and his mother was born on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. His favorite thing about guiding is making clients’ dreams come true. He’s an avid mountain bike rider, enjoys reading books, and if he could be any animal, he’d be an African elephant.
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Tshetem Norbu
Based in Bhutan
Tshetem Norbu
Trekking Guide
Tshetem Norbu was born and raised in Tashi Yangtse, which lies inside the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in the eastern part of Bhutan, near the Bhutan-China-India border. He has been guiding since 1995 and is NOLS graduate as well as a licensed and certified senior trekking guide. He is passionate about sharing details and stories about the Bhutanese culture, flora and fauna. Tshetem loves the mountains and has explored and guided many of the high altitude regions of Bhutan.
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Will Nunez
Will Nunez
Will Nunez found a passion for adventure and the outdoors at an early age growing up in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. After high school he continued to follow his passion out west attending Prescott Colleges, AZ graduating with a degree in Adventure Education. His outdoor experience has led him to remote regions of Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Washington and Alaska where he crafted his technical skills, mountain sense and guiding. He now works as a full-time mountain guide in the Mountains of Colorado and spends summer guiding in the North Cascades. His winter passions are ski and ice guiding and during the summer months he enjoys guiding rock climbing alpine routes, technical 14ers, and climbing cascaded volcanos. He loves every aspect of the outdoor industry and hopes to provide a unique experience to everyone he guides in the backcountry. He is currently on track to becoming a fully certified American Mountain Guide through the AMGA.
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Jaime Pollitte
Jaime Pollitte
Having spent much of his upbringing living overseas and traveling as an adult, it seems that Jaime has lived almost everywhere. With a degree in Outdoor Education/Leadership from Prescott College, Jaime has spent more than 20 years as an outdoor professional. He has spent time working, climbing, skiing, and kayaking throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, South America, and Europe. Jaime is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Provider, AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course Leader & Level 3 Avalanche Certified, Wilderness First Responder, and a Leave No Trace Trainer.
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Hector Ponce de Leon
Hector Ponce de Leon
Hector has successfully guided climbers to the summits of Cho Oyu, Aconcagua, Alpamayo, Huascaran, Illimani, Illampu, Huayna Potosi, and the Mexican Volcanoes, to name a few. Hector has a long list of accomplishments such as ascents of the south face of Shishapangma and Aconcagua. Hector has been successful with climbing Everest, and Gasherbrum II in the Karakorum. He has a special quality of helping other people reach their goals in the mountains. His free time is spent climbing in Yosemite and biking in Mexico.
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Brian Richter
Brian Richter
Brian grew up in the flatlands of Indiana and moved to Seattle after college to pursue an engineering career. He quickly fell in love with exploring the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. He also discovered a passion for teaching others the skills needed to recreate in the mountains. Brian is an AIARE Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and PSIA Level 2 Alpine and Level 1 Adaptive Certified Ski Instructor. Brian lives in Leavenworth, WA with his wife and son.
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Shayan Rohani
Shayan Rohani
When not in the field working as a guide Shy helps out with our international program development. His interest in climbing came early on from growing up in Washington. When not climbing in the Cascades, Yosemite or Zion, Shy guides in the Northwest, South America, Asia, and Mexico. Shy has a strong background in technical climbing, is an excellent teacher, and exudes a cheerful spirit in the mountain environment. His culinary background gives new meaning to the concept of “mountain food!”
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Alan Rousseau
Alan Rousseau
Alan has been guiding for Mountain Madness since 2008 and is an IFMGA certified guide. He has been a part of over 30 expeditions around the world, but has largely focused on climbing in Alaska, and the Himalayas. In 2020, Alan and fellow Mountain Madness guide, Tino Villaneuva, were awarded the prestigious Piolet D’or for their ascent of the West face of Tengi Ragi Tau in Nepal. Alan has also completed fast one day ascents of some of the largest walls of the central Alaska range including the North Buttress of Mount Hunter (WI6,M6,4000’) the Infinite Spur of Foraker (M5,AI4,9000’), and the Slovak direct on Denali (AI6, M8, 9000’). Whether you are just starting out, or you have been climbing for a long time Alan is excited to help you safely progress in the sport.
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Marcelo Gomez Saiz
Marcelo Gomez Saiz
Marcelo started his climbing/guiding career 17 years ago and is currently an IFMGA aspirant. Thanks to the support of his family that is also involved in climbing and guiding and that has been working with Mountain Madness for decades, Marcelo has become a passionate, highly professional guide. He has experience guiding and climbing on the 14 mountains higher than 20,000-ft in his home country of Bolivia. He also guided on the iconic Alpamayo in Per and Aconcagua, Argentina. He brings a wealth of knowledge and the warm hospitality of Bolivian people to each trip he guides.
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Sasha Sak
Sasha Sak
Sasha climbed her first mountain when she was 12 years old and guided her first group on Mt Elbrus in 2004. Since then, she has successfully guided more than 250 groups on Mt. Elbrus, Russia. she also guides on Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc and other mountains around the world.
Though she can’t imagine her life without mountains and helping people to reach for new heights, she also loves diving, surfing, biathlon, playing the piano, spending time with her son and black lab, and just exploring the world.
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Pablo Sandoval
Pablo Sandoval
Pablo started his climbing career at the age of 15 with sport climbing competitions — he Later became a coach. The same year he joined the Central University Alpine Club and started climbing the high altitude mountains in Ecuador. His first international expedition was at the age of 18 to a 2,450 ft wall “La Esfinge del Paron” Cordillera Blanca, Peru. Since then he has climbed in Colombia, Argentine Patagonia, Aconcagua, Peru, Mexico, and the USA. Pablo studied Tourism and Environmental Issues at the Universidad Technolgica Equinoccial in Quito. Pablo has a NOLS Wilderness First Responder certification, and is currently an IFMGA aspirant.
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Jesse Selwyn
Jesse Selwyn
Jesse began rock climbing in 2002 while in college in the southeast. Following graduation and wanting to climb in larger and colder environments, he maxed out his credit card on ice and ski gear before moving to Montana where he learned to climb in the mountains through mistakes and luck. He’s since climbed and skied in a number of countries and across the US.
Currently based in western Colorado, Jesse guides mostly in CO, UT, WA, and AK throughout the year. Known for his calm demeanor and terrible wit, he’s a fun person to learn from or spend the day going after a climbing objective.
A little-known secret is that Jesse is a strong all-around outdoor athlete, you would never know because he wouldn’t brag- so we’ll do it for him, but don’t let him serve you up too many days of humble pie! He is pursuing IFMGA certification.
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Tendi Sherpa
Tendi Sherpa
Tendi Sherpa is a veteran IFMGA/UIAGM certified Mountain Guide and Climbing Instructor. So far, he has climbed mountains more than 100 times, including Mt. Everest and other Himalayan giants, plus French and Italian peaks. He works as Chief Instructor for the Nepal Mountaineering Association. In addition to mountaineering, he is also a Mountain Biking Guide. He has traveled extensively in different countries including Tibet, China, Germany, Italy, Austria, USA, France, Switzerland, Thailand, and more in the course of climbing, instructing and biking. In addition, his significant involvement in important search and rescue missions like the Ghunsa Helicopter Tragedy (2006), Everest Rescue (2007), Korean Expedition Manaslu (2009), French Expedition Manaslu (2013), etc., have added value to his professional as well as humanitarian experience. For Mr. Sherpa, mountains are not only his professional space but also his respected home. His extensive mountaineering experience can be summed up in some of his light-hearted words, “I have slept more under tents than at home!”
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Naga Dorjee Sherpa
Naga Dorjee Sherpa
Naga was born in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal where he lives with his wife and two young daughters. He has acquired a vast knowledge within the Everest region as well as many other trekking regions of Nepal. Naga’s resume also includes climbs of many trekking peaks in Nepal such as Island Peak, Mera Peak and Lobuche as well as Camp 2 on Mount Everest. Naga has traveled extensively in the United States and has a genuine understanding of western culture. His warm smile, sense of humor and confidence have made him a valuable member of the Mountain Madness community and allows our trekkers to relax and enjoy the experience
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Dawa Geljin Sherpa
Dawa Geljin Sherpa
Dawa calls Lukla, Nepal his home, where his family was one of the first inhabitants there before Hillary came to climb Everest and tourism did not yet exist. He climbed with Scott Fischer on many adventures back in the 1990s. His passion for the mountains continued, not only for the climbing and trekking, but for the local Sherpa communities in the Solokhumbu where he has been instrumental in helping build schools, been an advocate for female teachers, and empowered the local Sherpa communities through education. He has accomplished this through the organization, Classroom in the Clouds, which he founded. When not busy with building schools, he can be found guiding treks throughout the region where guests enjoy his friendly demeanor and vast knowledge of the mountains of Nepal and its people.
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Pasang Tendi Sherpa
Pasang Tendi Sherpa
Pasang Tendi Sherpa was born in 1983 in Khembalung, a remote village in the hidden valley of Makalu Barun National Park. Following the footsteps of his father, he started trekking and mountaineering at an early age of 13. His experience comes not just from growing up in the mountains, though it’s an advantage for any mountaineer. He is one of the few Nepalis who has accomplished a Diploma in Mountain Guide (2011), certified by the IFMGA/UIAGM. He has also completed Longline Helicopter Rescue Training in Switzerland. He has scaled many renowned summits in the Andes, Europe, Nepal, Tibet & USA. So far, he has led 11 successful expeditions to the Mt. Everest Summit from both the North and South side. He worked for the Mountain Madness Everest Expeditions in 2007 and 2008, and in 2007 he summitted Everest twice in one week. Mountain Madness is very important to Tendi since his father Khamsu Sherpa worked with Madness founder Scott Fischer in the Khumbu. He is very keen on sharing his expertise of the Himalayan culture, magnificent mountaineering, unique experiences and some untold stories of the Himalayas to those who are fascinated by adventure, wilderness and of course the mountains!
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Lama Babu Sherpa
Lama Babu Sherpa
Hailing from the Khumbu Valley, Lama is a certified IFMGA Mountain Guide and has received his Mountain Guide diploma from the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association. He has extensive expedition experience in the Himalaya and abroad with multiple summits of Everest, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, and other big peaks. In the off season Lama teaches mountaineering training courses to local aspirants in Nepal.
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Dawa Sherpa
Dawa Sherpa
Dawa has been working as an Everest Base Camp trekking guide for MM for more than ten years. He brings local knowledge to each trip and knows the in-and-outs of the Khumbu region as only a resident can. When not trekking he is busy raising his kids, farming, and enjoying Sherpa life in his community near Lukla.
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Jennifer Shields
Jennifer Shields
Jen grew up in the northeast exploring the white mountains in her backyard. She now spends her winters in Salt Lake City as a ski guide and summers performing mountain search & rescue in the Cascades. During her time off, she loves traveling internationally for skiing, climbing, and scuba diving — South America, Japan, Iceland, New Zealand to name a few. She also enjoys desert canyoneering and chatting about astronomy.
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Jake Skeen
Jake Skeen
Jake grew up in Northern California and has since lived in Colorado, Wyoming and Washington. A passion for ski mountaineering and exploring new terrain has taken him to the Alaska Range, Chilean Andes and the European Alps. Jake enjoys a variety of objectives from pure rock climbs to long alpine endeavors. He spends the summer guiding alpine climbs in the Cascades. Once the snow starts falling, Jake shifts gears to working as an avalanche educator, ski patroller and forecaster. Jake is an AMGA Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, Apprentice Ski Guide, and an Ice Instructor. He also has completed AIARE Pro 2, and is a Wilderness EMT. Jake is driven by his affinity for being in the mountains and is eager to share those experiences with others.
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Yamil Solis
Yamil Solis
Yamil guides the Mountain Madness Mexico Volcanoes and Orizaba Express trips. A native of Guadalajara, he has worked as a professional guide since 2016. In addition to guiding the peaks of Mexico, Yamil has guided extensively in the Andes of South America. He has spent some of his university experience studying in Canada at the College of the Rockies. This allowed him to also “study” the mountains near campus. Yamil holds certifications as a Professional Rope Access Technician, Avalanche Training Skills, and Wilderness First Responder. In addition to guiding, he is a professional photographer.
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Jon Strahl
Jon Strahl
Jon is a PNW native and avid skier. He lives with his wife and husky pup in a yurt near Stevens
Pass, and skis over 100 days a season in the Cascades and SE Alaska. Jon pursued a
graduate degree in renewable energy finance and worked in a top-tier consulting firm for years
before realizing that it might be more fun to work a little less on the computer and a little more
outdoors–to connect people to the environment and share his passion for the snow. Jon has Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Pro 1, and AIARE ITC certifications. -
Maria Teresa
Based in Bolivia
Maria Teresa
guide
Maria Teresa (Techi as she is known in the mountain community) is training to become one of the first female IFGA certified guides in Bolivia. Her passion for mountains, guiding, and her community drives her ambition to reach this goal. In her spare time she loves to get out rock climbing, guides at the local via ferrata, and work making cheese.
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Andrew Wexler
Andrew Wexler
Andrew grew up far, far away from the nearest mountain. As fate would have it, he now finds himself living in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, guiding, climbing and skiing year round. When not climbing or skiing, Andrew can usually be found skiing or climbing. This monotony of character may have drawbacks, but it has also seen him to the top of peaks including Fitzroy, Ama Dablam, El Cap, Denali’s Cassin Ridge and Huayna Potosi’s West Face. It is a rare occurrence to catch Andrew outside without his camera, and his photos and words have appeared in numerous national and international publications. He is a fully certified ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide.
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John Willard
John Willard
I was born in Singapore and moved to Massachusetts at the age of 5. My passion for climbing began with an introduction to climbing course and I was instantly hooked. I moved to Vermont for college at Northern Vermont University, where I graduated with a B.S. in Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism. I’ve climbed extensively in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont mountains doing both rock and ice climbing. The Black Dike (WI4, M3), Welcome to the Machine (WI4‑5), Dracula (WI4/4+), Crazy Diamond (WI5), Moby Grape (5.8) are just a few of the classics I’ve led. I’ve also climbed in the Tetons, Devil’s Tower, Red Rock, and Joshua Tree. He is a AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Apprentice Rock Guide, and an Apprentice Alpine Guide. He is both CPR certified and a Wilderness First Responder.
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Innocent Willington
Innocent Willington
Innocent is a passionate trip expedition leader who was born and raised on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Fluent in various Chagga dialects as well as Swahili and English, he also understands some German, Spanish and Chinese. His passion for the natural world began by observing Kilimanjaro as a child and it grew stronger as he visited national parks on class trips. After high school he completed a 2‑year tour guide training in Arusha followed by Altitude Medicine and Wilderness First Responder certifications. Today, he’s climbed Kilimanjaro over 80 times, with customers from the ages of 8 to 83!
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Tino Villanueva
Tino Villanueva
Tino is a northwest native and calls the Cascade Mountain Range home. As an internationally certified IFMGA/UIAGM Mountain Guide, he regularly splits time between South America, Asia, Europe, Alaska and Washington — climbing, skiing and leading high altitude expeditions worldwide. Tino enjoys all facets of climbing and is equally proficient on rock, snow, ice or skis, having accomplished first climbing ascents and ski descents in the Cascades, Alaska and the Himalaya. Aside from working as a Mountain Guide for over a decade, Tino has worked as a heli-ski guide, snow safety expert, professional ski patroller and is an Athlete/Ambassador for Helly Hansen. Tino holds a degree in Human Physiology. He is a Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Level 3 Avalanche certified, and an AIARE Level 1 and 2 Course Leader. He has been a recipient of the American Alpine Club’s Cutting Edge Award, the Mugs Stump Award and the Copp-Dash Inspire Award climbing grants.
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Deana Zabaldo
Deana Zabaldo
Deana has lived and worked in Nepal for more than 23 years and has explored across Asia, including Tibet, Bhutan, and Mongolia. Originally a Peace Corps Volunteer in a remote mountain village of Nepal, she has gone on to be a professional trekking guide in Nepal and Bhutan since 2005 and the Founder and Director of Changing Lives Nepal, a nonprofit which supports sustainable, grassroots development including a women’s safe house, a children’s home, and organic coffee and nut farms for poverty alleviation. Winner of the World Guide Awards in 2013 for her expertise and client service, she’s full of stories about Tantric goddesses, royal massacres, arranged marriages, reincarnation, politics, economics, and the realities of Shangri-La. Deana calls Marin Country home, works as a Somatic Coach in the San Francisco Bay Area, and has a 30-year meditation and yoga practice. She is also a certified Wilderness First Responder.
