Nicole Lawton

Rugged spaces have alway been a second home to me as I grew up ski racing and backpacking in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. After earning a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Portland, I moved to the small mountain town of Telluride in pursuit of my ski bum dreams. Here, I fell in love with backcountry skiing, climbing, and general type II fun. After pursuing climbing objectives in Indian Creek, Yosemite National Park, and the Italian Dolomites, I still can’t get enough.

I started guiding with Mountain Trip on Denali’s West Buttress in 2017 and quickly became entranced by the challenge and hard work of expedition guiding. In addition to five trips up Denali’s West Buttress, I have since continued guiding rock, ice, and the Via Ferrata with Mountain Trip’s local program in Telluride. I am a firm believer in the power mountains have to change us for the better and create connection. When I’m not guiding, you can find me planning my next climbing trip, slamming splitters in Indian Creek, or cooking delicious food for all my friends. I am an AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, AMGA Ice Instructor, and Wilderness First Responder.

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