Carly Casternovia

From a young age, my older brother would share stories and images with me of time he had spent in the San Juans. Raised on the East Coast and never spending time in a true mountain range, I’d dream up my future as an adult of living in the mountains. Little did I know this would be more than a metaphorical endeavor. In 2017, I moved to Telluride and my curiosity grew in mountain pursuits. Entranced by moving through mountains on technical terrain, the San Juans and nearby sandstone desert climbing became my training ground on world-class rock and ice.

As I continue developing my personal and professional love for climbing and guiding, I can be found moving through multitudes of terrain, loving every form and style of climbing, and feeling drawn to the flow state that occurs while moving on rock and feeling connected to the landscape. Over the years I’ve spent time climbing in Europe, Alaska, Patagonia, Yosemite, Northern Arizona and Black Canyon of the Gunnison, to name a few of my favorites.

I began working for Mountain Trip’s local Colorado program in 2019. My favorite style of guiding are multi-day courses, clinics, and multi-pitch rock and ice climbing, where I can see my students and clients make significant progress over the course of a few days. It feels truly rewarding for all. I hold a Wilderness First Responder, am an Assistant Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide. I’ve also spent two seasons co-guiding trips up Denali.

When I’m not in the mountains you can find me teaching Pilates, pot-lucking with friends, cuddling my pug or scheming future climbing objectives.