Mountain Guides you can trust when it gets serious

Mountain Trip guides have climbed and guided all over the mountains of the world. Our lead Denali mountain guides have all climbed the mountain at least 5 times, and most of them have 10 or more ascents under their boots. All of our guides hold current medical certifications and are trained in the latest mountain safety protocols. Their goal is to ensure you have an enjoyable, safe and successful climb. Climbing any big mountain is serious and you should have high standards for whomever you choose as your guide.

In an effort to give you additional insight about our mountain guides, we have solicited some additional information from our crew that you might not be accustomed to reading on traditional Mountain Guides Pages…

MOUNTAIN TRIP GUIDES

Gary Bocarde:
What can we say about the founder and spiritual head of Mountain Trip? His resume of ascents in Alaska is legendary: the first ascent of the SW. Face of Mooses Tooth, the first winter ascent of Mt. Hunter and the second ascent of the NW Buttress of Denali, to merely name a few… He cut his climbing teeth in Yosemite Valley where he and Charlie Porter did the first ascent of The Shield on El Cap. Hidden Peak, the Kangshung Face on Mount Everest, Pik Lenin have all felt the poke of Gary’s ice axe. A certified AMGA Alpine Guide, he spends his time at his family cabin in Yosemite or in the high desert country of SW Utah. Above all for the members of the Mountain Trip family, Gary is our mentor, adviser and favorite uncle rolled into one.

Todd Rutledge:
I feel like I’ve come a long way from my boyhood home in central New Jersey. I began guiding in Alaska in 1992 and have led 17 Denali expeditions over the years. I’ve also been fortunate enough to guide and climb all over South America, on Mount Vinson in Antarctica, in the Himalayas, Carstensz Pyramid and in Europe. In 2004, Gary Bocarde decided to sell Mountain Trip to me and my fellow Mountain Trip guide Bill Allen, and I am often the voice on the phone when you call the office. In 2006, I built a nice house at just shy of 10,000 feet in Ophir, CO, and am living the dream with my wife Lisa, our boys Logan and Dalton, and our Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Lola.

Bill Allen:
I have been lucky enough to create a life out of pursuing the things that I love to do for over 17 years now. I grew up playing in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, and eventually made it up to Alaska where I found my first guiding job and eventually realized that I might be able to make a living out of it. I’ve now been to places that I never dreamed I would ever get a chance to go, and my job is to help share those experiences. I’ve guided over 20 expeditions on Denali, been on expeditions to Mt. Foraker, Mt. Huntington, and many other peaks in Alaska. I’ve also been to Antarctica a couple of times guiding climbers on Vinson, climbed Aconcagua enough times that my knees hurt just thinking about it, have climbed Carstensz Pyramid in West Papua 5 times (a different approach on each expedition), climbed Kilimanjaro, Mt Elbrus, and have climbed in Nepal several times including 2 times to the top of Mt Everest.   Todd also lets me out of the Mountain Trip office just enough that I am able to work as a ski guide in the winter ( www.helitrax.com ). I spend my winters in Ophir, CO with my very understanding wife, Sonja and we still spend most of the summer in Alaska.

Scott Woolums:
A long-time Mountain Trip and AMGA Certified Alpine Guide; Scott is available for private expeditions in Alaska and virtually anywhere in the world. He has been guiding Denali for over 25 years and has been on top 30+ times. Additionally, he has is a 6-time Everest summiter, via two routes and has climbed, guided and put up first ascents around the globe, making him  3-time Seven Summit climber. Winters find him down in Antarctica and on Aconcagua.  Scott is the Director of Mountain Trip’s Himalayan program and leads our Everest expeditions.

 

Chris Kerrick:
Mountain Trip’s Big Wall ace is equally at home in the Alaska Range, South America or running it out on sketchy gear on El Cap. He has just shy of 20 Denali ascents under his belt including three traverses of the mountain and is a strong technical rock and ice climber. Chris has led many Aconcagua climbs as well as technical routes in Alaska. His skill and tenacity on steep rock is mirrored by his willingness and ability to undertake the craziest construction projects in his community of Salmon Beach, WA. He just finished building himself a home that sits over the water on wood piers in that funky community, where he lives with his fiance Jean and their beautiful baby girl, Keeler.

 

Zach Shlosar:
Zach has guided seventeen Denali expeditions and we’re psyched to have him still leading trips for us. His confidence-inspiring demeanor has the uncanny ability to enable tired climbers dig deep to find that inner reserve needed to make the summit. He’s climbed extensively in the Alaska Range and the Chugach. Zach is one of Mountain Trip’s “Guide Magnet Award” recipients, which helped enable him to push a new route up the Bear’s Tooth in April, 2007. In 2008, Zach led our Sourdough Expedition, which approached Denali via dogsled from the north and climbed the Muldrow Glacier route to be the first team to summit the mountain that year.

Dave Staeheli:
These things always make me self-conscious… Okay, I’ve been guiding Denali since 1979. I may or may not hold the record for the most ascents, but I can’t tell because I stopped counting a long time ago. I’m an AMGA Certified Alpine and Ski Mountaineering Guide. I guess I’m arguably the first Alpine Guide to be certified in the US (ask Kathy Cosley!). I’m proud that I have never left a client or partner in crevasse longer than twenty minutes. Hmmm, I can twirl a ski pole in my fingertips and can tie over 100 knots. I have actually invented a climbing knot, the “Staeheli Hitch.” My favorite food: Hot sauce.

Sonja Nelson:
Sonja began guiding in Alaska in the summer of 2000 to find some balance with her wintertime profession of ski patrolling at Telluride. She has guided in Nepal as well as on Denali. In 2009, Sonja, with three friends climbed and skied from the summit of Denali. When not guiding for Mountain Trip or helping run our Alaska office during the summer, Sonja works as a ski guide at Telluride HeliTrax, and as a patroller at Telluride Mountain while she and her husband Bill Allen live in the old Scrapple Cabin in Ophir, CO.

Bill Billmeier:
Bill lives in Anchorage, Alaska but is looking forward to moving to the Bush. He graduated from Alaska Pacific University with an Outdoor Studies degree in 2003 and has worked in the mountains since then. He has been with Mountain Trip since 2001 and has worked on ten Denali expeditions and has guided other ascents in the Alaska Range. Bill is a passionate climber, mountain guide and instructor and enjoys sharing his love for all things mountainous. In 2007, he married his sweetheart Betsy and in 2008 they began to realize their dream of putting a yurt in the Alaskan Bush. They are updating a blog chronicling their efforts of building at the remote Bench Lake when they come back to town to resupply. You can follow their blog here.

Rob Durnell:
“Durny” is another resident Alaskan who Heli-ski guides in the Chugach Mountains during the winter. During the summer he guides wild Alaskan rivers and slays fish on fishing boats when he’s not guiding Denali. This wild man guided Denali three times each season in 2005 and 2007! Off seasons, he can be found surfing down in Baja. Rob, along with mountain guide Heidi Kloos, was the recipient of the Denali National Park’s Denali Pro Award in 2008, for his selfless actions in helping the NPS with a difficult rescue in 2007.

Drew Ludwig:
My name is Drew Ludwig and I have a climbing problem. It all started in High School and quickly developed into a college distraction. After receiving a BFA in photography, the mountains landed me in a Volkswagen van working as a guide in Telluride, Colorado. That was 12 years ago and I have since moved out of the van and turned that distraction into a career. The peaks I guide tend to be very large and cold and leave me with a humble acknowledgement that I am very small. I have guided all over the world on many of the seven summits, but the San Juan Mountains will always be home. I have worked on Denali for Mountain Trip for 10 years. I take my climbing problem seriously and have completed a number of courses on my way to a full IFMGA certification. The mountains have given me a sense of place and purpose and I love what I do.

Peter Inglis (aka Pi):
My mountaineering pursuits began at an early age climbing in Vermont where I grew up at the base of the state’s highest mountain, Mt Mansfield. In 1983 I graduated from UVM with a degree in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management. “Iʼve been working hard managing my recreation ever since!”
I have a particular interest in remote wild places, such as China, Peru, Nepal, and Alaska. (the Alps arenʼt so bad either). Guide-wise lately, Iʼve split my time between Alaska and Colorado. This winter will be my 19th season ski patrolling and avalanche forecasting in Telluride Co.  Guiding expeditions for Mountain Trip is always a joy and I feel a special warmth in my heart every time I fly to Alaska. Iʼve been up Denali 13 times now and every trip has been exciting and fun. I especially enjoy the camaraderie of climbing, skiing and sharing the mountains with my climbers as they work towards reaching their goals. Iʼm in my 50ʼs now so I have lots of stories from around the world to share. If our trails cross, no doubt we will have fun.

Constantine Severis:
Con has been guiding on Denali for Mountain Trip since 2004 and has guided seven Denali expeditions and an Aconcagua climb for us. He spends the rest of his summer guiding rock in Yosemite Valley and Toulume Meadows. He is a ski guide for Telluride Helitrax in the winter. Con summitted Everest in 2007 and is eager to guide the remaining four of the seven summits. Con is an AMGA certified Rock and Alpine guide and is close to finishing his Ski Guides Exam to satisfy the US equivalent of IFMGA certification.

 

David Marchi:
I grew up in Mt. Shasta, CA where I was exposed to backcountry skiing and the big mountain environment at an early age. After attending Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, I longed for an outside job and began working as a mountaineering guide for Shasta Mountain Guides in 1999. Since then I have guided in Nepal, Indonesia, India and South America. In Alaska, I have guided 6 trips on Denali and work as a helicopter ski guide for Chugach Powder Guides. In 2005, I was part of an international team implementing avalanche and safety protocols for a new ski development in Kashmir, India.

With my AMGA Ski Mountaineering training, Wilderness First Responder and AIARE Avalanche training I have collected a lot of experience and can provide climbers with challenging and fun adventures.
Currently, my wife, Petit, and I are traveling in a converted Ambulance/RV that runs off of waste veggie oil promoting our joint guiding business Globallines. As we travel we present fresh slideshows of inspiring images that remind people of their choices in life. Believing that our world is at the tipping point, we encourage our guest to awaken to the possibilities of their life and how they treat the environment.

Dave Ahrens:
After several phone calls in the autumn of 2004, Todd at Mountain Trip agreed to meet me for an interview over coffee. The rest, as they say… I joined the Mountain Trip family in 2005 and have guided on Denali each year since them. I’ve climbed on the mountain 15 times, and have been fortunate to summit from both the North and South sides. Bill and Todd have helped me pursue my education through courses taught by the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA). In September of 2009, I passed my exam to become an AMGA Certified Alpine Guide. I work year round as a ski and mountain guide, spending my summers in Alaska and in the Cascades, and my winters working at Silverton Mountain in southwest Colorado. In 2008, I led a small team up the remote and committing Muldrow Glacier route on the north side of Denali and also climbed the West Buttress. Todd is convinced that makes me the first climber to summit from the north and the south in the same season. I’m not certain, but it was sure a great summer!

Kevin Koprek:
Kevin came to us on loan from San Juan Mountain Guides in 2005 and we don’t want to give him back (Sorry Clint!). A true professional with boundless optimism and a serious work ethic, Kevin climbs hard ice all winter around Ouray, Colorado and has guided six Denali climbs as well as a Mount Foraker expedition for us. He is another Magnet Award recipient, which helped him take his AMGA Alpine Guide course in the summer of 2007. Kevin also works for Rigging for Rescue, training numerous rescue organizations high angle rescue techniques.

Jacob Schmitz:
I’m originally from Southern California and I spent my childhood climbing in the Southwest. I moved to Yosemite NP where I worked in the backcountry setting up the High Sierra Camps. After spending seven years in the Sierras, climbing alpine routes, over thirty big walls and enjoying Yosemite in general, I realized I wanted to work in the greater mountain ranges of the world. To that end, I started guiding eight years ago and have not looked back. Since 2007, I have guided 13 Denali climbs for Mountain Trip. In South America I have worked in Ecuador, Bolivia and led over 25 trips up Aconcagua. I have spent a lot of time in East Africa working on Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya. East Africa is one of my favorite places to visit and I believe everyone should experience it. I have been lucky to have worked in three different mountain ranges in Asia and look forward to returning. My favorite thing about mountain expeditions is the team work and logistics it takes to make it to the summit. Having a HAPPY summit team is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Todd asked for a book recommendation, as I read a lot on my trips. I’ll recommend Alaska by James A Michener to Denali climbers and any Tom Robbins book for a quick read as they keep me entertained.
Hope to see you in the mountains, it’s a small world.

Michael Burmeister:
I have been on Denali a total of twelve times, the first being a snowboard trip and the other 11 working as a guide. I have climbed on the southside of Mount Hunter (Corliss-Taylor to 12,500) and guided a trip on the West Ridge with Zach Schlosar. I’ve climbed in Little Switzerland, on the Broken Tooth in the Ruth Gorge, and way down south in Cochamo, Chile. Splitboarding (snowboard touring) in the Chugach is definitely my passion and where the majority of my winter is spent. This is the last semester of school for me, so in December I should have a literature degree with a minor in philosophy. My recommendation for a good read is The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy which I thought was excellent.

Zach Johnson:
I live in Anchorage with my beautiful wife Joanna, our two handsome boys, and our dog Harley. I was born and raised in Colorado where I developed a passion for all that is outdoors.  I was blessed with a family who also shares the love for the outdoors and with them, I discovered backpacking, skiing, climbing, and rafting.  My passion for the outdoors led me to trail crew leading on the 14,000ft peaks of Colorado with a non-profit organization.  Early on, I guided ice and rock climbing in and around the Vail Valley.  I received a degree from Colorado Mountain College in Outdoor Leadership.  From there, I moved to Montana where I was a river guide and worked with troubled youth at a wilderness-based treatment center.  In 2005, I ventured north Alaska to continue my education and to guide rivers and mountains. I attended Alaska Pacific University and received a BA in Outdoor Education.  I began working with Mountain Trip in 2006 and have worked for them here in Alaska as well as working for them on Aconcagua in Argentina.  When I am not guiding mountains, I lead remote fly-fishing rafting trips.  All this being said the greatest and most rewarding adventure thus far has been being a father.

Jared Vilhauer
I’m a Colorado boy who first found his way up to guide in the Alaska Range in 1999. I’ve been guiding for Mountain Trip since 2006 and lead some of their Alaska trips and Colorado ice climbs. I’ve been on Denali 15 times and really enjoy looking for and climbing new routes in the Alaska Range and elsewhere. Seeking out new, interesting lines has also taken me to climb in China, Pakistan and Peru. When I’m back in my home area of Telluride, CO, I enjoy backcountry snowboarding, trail running and work as a licensed electrician, so if you need a new fixture installed, give me a ring! Todd wanted me to pass out a book suggestion, so if you have never read the irreverent Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey, I think you’ll enjoy it.

Joe Butler:
I have been working for Mountain Trip since 2005 and guiding professionally since 2002. I have guided five successful trips up Denali, as well as Kahiltna Dome, Middle Troll, and I completed two overland exits from the Alaska Range. Climbing has taken me to Nepal, Thailand, and Argentina. I spent the winter of ’07-’08 working in Chilean Patagonia guiding glacier traverses and teaching mountaineering skills around the Northern Patagonian Ice Cap. I also work as a rigger and safety for film productions in Alaska. I am a year-round Alaskan who spends his time climbing exciting alpine lines in the Chugach Mountains and fighting cold temps on ice routes. For a vicarious adventure, I recommend reading The Worst Journey in the World. I live in downtown Anchorage with my wife Amara and our soon to be veggie oil car, the 1981 VW Rabbit diesel.

Caitlin Hague:
Caitlin moved from Colorado to Alaska in 2004 to attend college at Alaska Pacific University mainly to Nordic ski race. She quickly traded in her skinny skis and spandex for a backcountry ski set up and has been insatiably wandering around the mountains ever since.  She resides in Girdwood, AK and tries to spend as much of her time romping around in the snow.  Caitlin started guiding for Mountain Trip in 2006 and also instructs glacier travel, mountaineering, ski mountaineering, and avalanche education courses for various companies and universities around Alaska.

Nick Shepherd:
Being born and raised in the state of Alaska, I have no intention to live anywhere else. Anyone who spends time outside here quickly understands why. The Alaska Range is an unbelievable array of mountains to climb in and two seasons of guiding on Denali has only left me hungry for more. I’m finished up a double major in Philosophy and Anthropology last year, and now I’m back in the mountains for good. I’ve worked for Mountain Trip for the past seven years and have had the pleasure of working with most of the other crew here. Todd asked for a book, so, consider reading Arnold’s Bodybuilding for Men and watch Pumping Iron. Mark Twight understates it best, “Power is not a bad thing to have in excess.” (Twight, Extreme Alpinism, pg 46)

Greg Nappi:
I was born and raised in a town west of Philadelphia called Wayne, PA and I started climbing at the age of 16. I took an Outward Bound and a NOLS Mountaineering course during High School, and I also intsructed at the local rock gym. I attended Colorado Mountain College where I found much fondness in the free heel (telemark skiing) and spent no time looking back. I currently spend my time chasing turns on the Turnagain Arm/ Pass of Alaska and resided in Hope, AK for the winter. My summer times are spent in the Alaska Range or pounding nails to help make the dreams happen. I’ve guided 10 Denali expeditions for Mountain Trip, and am currently treading water in what I call Fantasy Camp. This year’s Camp includes rock climbing in Smith Rock, OR and in Mexico to be followed by a long awaited ski season in Alaska.

Sean McManamy:
I live in south central Alaska on the Turnagain Arm, and skiing in takes up a lot of my time. I came up to Alaska for the deep snowpack, and to finish college at Alaska Pacific University. Nowadays, I’m an Adjunct Faculty member and a year round mountain guide. I ’ve been working for Mountain Trip since 2007 and have guided several routes on Denali and been to both the north and south summits. To me there is nothing better than hot drinks on a cold morning on Denali. Outside of the Alaska Range I work for Chugach Powder Guides and Instruct at the Alaska Avalanche School. My favorite book is Bound for Glory by Woody Guthrie and my favorite album is Exile on Main Street by The Rolling Stones.

Henry Munter:
I grew up in Ketchum, Idaho, where I started climbing mountains while backcountry skiing with my Dad. I went to college in Maine, worked on ski patrol in Montana, but found my true home in Girdwood, Alaska, in 2008. The snowy Alaskan winters keep me busy, teaching avalanche courses for the Alaska Avalanche School, and guiding snowcat and helicopter skiing for Chugach Powder Guides. After a long winter in the mountains, I retreat to the rivers of Idaho, Montana, and Alaska, leading whitewater raft and kayak expeditions with Wilderness River Outfitters. I do my best to sneak away to places like Peru, Madagascar, and Nepal with my whitewater kayak as well. Ever since I began teaching kayaking when I was fifteen, I’ve had a passion for helping people get to the places that they dream about—with Mountain Trip, I’m lucky to climb with a group of mountain guides that are so skilled in just that.

Adam Smith:
I grew up in New Hampshire where I gained a great respect for adventure, reggae music and the Boston Red Sox.  At first chance I left in search of deeper snow.  My search swept through the lower 48 and pushed on to Alaska where I now live.  Here the snow is deep and creamy.  Good for skiing. Good for me.  I have been working for Mountain Trip since 2008.  In the winters I work at Alyeska Resort as a ski patroller.  My hero is Joe Paterno, the Penn State head football coach, because of his resilience and dedication to principle.  My free time is spent exploring the hidden corners of Alaska with my dog Rusty and listening in on streamside volcano lessons from Janelle.

Eric Larson:
I’ve been guiding in the mountains since 1993, and have had the opportunity to lead trips in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, as well as in South America, the Himalayas, Antarctica, and in Europe.  I’m a fully Certified AMGA/IFMGA Guide who is fortunate to work year-round in the mountains.  Winters find me living in Telluride, CO and working Snow Safety for the Telluride Ski Resort’s ski patrol.  Spring takes me to the Alps, where I ski guide between Chamonix, La Grave and Zermatt.  As the days lengthen and summer begins, I head up to Alaska and then to Wyoming’s Teton Range, where I also guide for Exum Mountain Guides.  In the autumn, I head over to Nepal or guide rock in the amazing Utah desert.  I have to say that, with over 40 Alaska Range trips and 20-some up Denali, I have a very special place in my heart for Alaska.

Sebastian Grau:
I grew up in Chile, and started mountain climbing in the Andes.  Though I graduated university as a professional Geographer in 2005, I decided to work as a mountain guide full time.  I have guided Aconcagua expeditions since 2001, as well as trips in Patagonia, Argentina and Chile. I started guiding Denali trips with Mountain Trip in 2009, and began the AMGA guide certification process in 2010.  Nowadays, I live out of my truck all around the US from California´s big walls to New Hampshire´s first-class ice climbs looking for the best spots to climb and guide.

Julian (Jules) Hanna:
I joined the Mountain Trip family in 2009. I began guiding ice climbing and backpacking trips in the Wrangells in 2005. Guiding in the Alaska Range was a natural progression for this native Californian and I live in the mountain full time except for surf expeditions to Costa Rica, Mexico and the Hawaiian Islands. In the spring I guide for Alaska Heliskiing in Haines, AK. I am currently pursing Ski Guide certification with the AMGA and I have completed their ski guide course. I enjoy riding lines all over North America but find Alaska offers another level of riding that is indescribable. After an exciting season in the Chilkat Mountains, an old mountain man looked told me, “you’re going to live a rich life because you’ve got laughter in your soul.” I look forward to sharing that laughter with you on a Mountain Trip.

Kim Grant:
Kim has guided five Denali expeditions for Mountain Trip and has climbed and skied the mountain on her own. When not guiding in the Alaska Range, Kim ski guides at Silverton Mountain in Colorado and in the Chugach Mountains out of Valdez, AK. Kim is a boundless supplier of smiles and good energy. She’s tough, skilled and super fun!

Ben Adkinson:
Remember when you were a kid and always wanted to climb to the top of things?  Climbing mountains makes me feel like a kid again, albeit on a larger scale and with a bit more responsibility, but the feeling is still the same.  I grew up on a solar-powered ranch in the Highland Mountains of southwestern Montana. I went to college in Missoula, Montana (a place I may always call home?) at the University of Montana and got a degree in Recreation Management–Nature-based Tourism.  I have been a mountain guide since the middle of college on Mt. Shasta, in the Sierra Nevada, western Montana, southern Utah, Mexico, Ecuador and Alaska.  I have taught classes for the University of Montana’s Outdoor Program in almost every genre of outdoor skills. I like to have my feet planted firmly on the ground, although sometimes that ground is severely tilted- even vertical.  I enjoy ice climbing, skiing, mountaineering, backpacking, living in my van and almost any other outdoor activity.  I can’t wait so share this adventure we call life with you.

Eric Gullickson:
I was born Kansas, where I like to say I was able to hone my skills in the flats before taking them to the mountains.  And yes, I know what you are thinking, I am not in Kansas anymore, and that’s okay with me.  I graduated with a degree in Business Management from Colorado Christian University in Denver, Colorado, where I probably spent more time climbing and skiing than in class.  After college, I moved to Washington where I have spent the last 5 years climbing and guiding all over the Cascades.  Guiding has also allowed me to lead expeditions in South America and Alaska.  My winters are spent working as a professional Ski Patroller at Crystal Mountain where I love ski touring and working with my avalanche rescue dog Luna.  I am Level II Avalanche Certified, a Wilderness First Responder, OEC certified, a Leave No Trace Trainer, and am on my way to earning my AMGA certification.

Kelly Ryan:
Kelly works professionally in the mountains year round, rock and ice guiding, back country ski guiding, and alpine guiding from the lower 48 to Alaska, to South America. Kelly has worked on pro ski patrol at Crystal Mountain, Wa and Telluride, Co and holds Avalanche II, Outdoor Emergency Care, Wilderness First Responder, and Leave No Trace Instructor certifications.  She has climbed Denali four times, via the Cassin Ridge, Upper Rib and the West Buttress, and has also completed several first ascents on a three month climbing trip in Greenland supported by kayak. Some of her other favorite adventures include a four month solo horse trip in Argentina, sailing trips from the east coast to Greenland and Puerto Rico, and extended backpacking trips in the Aleutian Islands and Bolivia. Kelly is pursuing AMGA certification. She attended Colorado College graduating with a BA in History and Political Science and a Minor in Journalism. Kelly loves adventures of all kind and thinks it is a privilege to share them with others.

Nathan Disser:
Nate joined the Mountain Trip family in 2005 for a trip up the West Rib and guided for us in the Ruth Gorge in 2007. He is a super competent rock and ice climber who has organized and led expeditions around the world. Nate, an AMGA certified Rock Guide, owns and runs Southwest Adventure Guides in Durango, CO. We think they run great trips in the Southwest as well as in South America, so check out their website at: www.swaguides.com

Ian Nicholson:
My experience ranges from having established over a half dozen first ascents in my local Cascades Mountains as well as opening new routes in farther off regions such as the Waddington Range, Patagonia and the Alaska Range.  My other experience comes from having climbed extensively in Yosemite as well as Zion, the Tetons, the Alps, Canadian Rockies, New England, the Sierras and Colorado. I have twice been the recipient of the ACC Fellowship Grant to help me with those adventures. I am also a Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Level III certified, AIARE Level I Course leader and an AIARE level 2 Instructor as well as a Leave no Trace Trainer. I am an AMGA Certified Alpine and Rock Guide and work through the ski discipline while actively pursuing IFMGA certification. His passion to be out in the mountains has been known to spur people to greater heights.  After replacing over 100 bolts in the last 4 years, I have begun working with the American Safe Climbing Association.  I like to think that my passion for being in the mountains helps spur people to new heights!

Jack McGee:
Born and raised in the big town of San Francisco, I try and consider myself a bohemian outdoorsman now living in Alaska. I have guided two expeditions on Denali with Mountain Trip. I work as a professional ski-patrol in the winter and commercial fishermen in the summer. At the time of writing this, I had just traversed the Mongolian Gobi via bicycle, fueling myself with fermented horse milk and sweet cheese curds along the way. I love the Alaska Range and look forward to sharing these beautiful mountains with you.

Yoshiko Miyazaki-Back:
I grew up in Japan and discovered climbing during my studies in the UK.  After becoming a British Horse Society Preliminary Instructor my passion for climbing took over and I began spending much time in the Peak District and all over the UK in the summer and Scotland in the winters.  My pursuit of rock, ice, mixed, alpine and ski mountaineering brought my feet to places around the world.  Since I’ve obtained a BSc(Hons) in Conservation and Environment, it encouraged me to build various minimalist skis using unwanted wood palates to enjoy in the mountains. In conjunction with the company Patagonia, I also volunteer manpower to help local conservation groups on tree planting, river clean ups, trail maintenance and building.  As part of trying to help our planet, I stubbornly bike to work year round.  I’ve spent recent years based between Chamonix, France, the US, Japan and a bit of Canada to help broaden my mind and experience, not only in the outdoors but also to meet interesting people and participate in their communities.

Ann Piersall:
Raised in Montana, I have been chasing mountains my entire life. I graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor’s in Biology and have since worked as a GIS technician, professional ski patroller, backcountry ski guide, and climbing ranger intern. I also recently lived in Kyrgyzstan for a year as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar studying local perceptions of glaciers and climate change while skiing and climbing in the remote Tien Shan. When I am not up to my eyeballs in snow, I enjoy rock climbing and soaking in hot springs near my home on the East side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  2011 was my rookie year guiding on Denali and I look forward to many more seasons!

Lisa Rutledge:
Currently our Climber Support Coordinator at Mountain Trip, Lisa began guiding in Alaska in 1994, following a couple of seasons working in Antarctica. She is another school teacher by trade and has taught Alaskan youths out on the Aleutian islands in the town of Dutch Harbor. She grew homesick, however, and now teaches in Telluride, Colorado where she skis the backcountry with Todd and their Chessy, Lola. If she answers your phone call, listen for the voice of their cute little boys Logan and Dalton in the background.

Laura Duncan:
Laura is the glue that holds our office together.  Todd likes to think she is the grey matter that helps his altitude-addled synapses fire with some degree of regularity.  She has spent a lot of time working in the guiding industry and is an avid backpacker and adventurer.  She will probably be the one who helps guide you through all the pre and post-trip steps of working with Mountain Trip.  When she’s not in our office, she spends her time working with Telluride Helitrax and with her family, including her two beautiful daughters and husband John, who owns Telluride Outside, the area’s premier fly fishing and outdoor recreation outfitter.