Where did you grow up/Where do you live now? I live in Jackson, Wyoming: Gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
What do you love about mountaineering? I love covering a lot of terrain in style. The skill set required for safely completing a challenging objective takes years to acquire, and the art of moving efficiently through the mountains is very rewarding.
What was it (specifically or generally) that first peaked your interest in outdoor sports?
The realness of it all. Life outside the mountains rarely has moments where a poor decision can prove disastrous in an irreversible way. For example, a poor financial choice will rarely cause a loss of life or limb.
What does it mean that you “[help your] clients build confidence through progressive challenge.”? How do you achieve this in both short-term and long-term endeavors? The key to building confidence is education. I feel that if I am doing my job, there will be a day when my client will be able to venture on his or her own and move safely through the mountains. This is achieved gradually through front-loading information specific to the objective at hand, and this builds experience. I like to compare experience to a toolbox. The more tools one owns, the greater the things they can build.
How do your experience guiding skiing, mountaineering and rock climbing lend themselves to one another, and where is the most beneficial crossover?
All three disciplines come together during those moments when I have to predict how a person is going to react to a given challenge. I have to make sure that the objective is correct for my clients skill set.
Do you prefer guiding rock climbing, skiing, or mountaineering? It depends on what clothing I feel like wearing that day. Seriously, I have no preference. Any day guiding someone out in the mountains is highly rewarding for me.
What do you think are the three most crucial elements of a guide-client relationship?
Trust. Respect. Humor.
What is your primary motivation when you get out on the mountain, and how does that translate into the way you guide?
The order of my priorities is as follows: We are going to come back safely, we are going to have fun, and we will try to complete our objective.
How can someone looking for a guide know which one is right for them and their perspective trip?
Have a conversation with the guide and see if you will enjoy spending time with that person. Any AMGA certified guide would have the technical skills to complete the objective safely, so look for that as well.
What is your most memorable guiding experience? Taking a father and his three grown children up the Grand Teton on the 60th anniversary of the father's first ascent of the mountain. He could still out climb his kids.
Do you prefer trips in the States, or trips abroad? It doesn't matter. Any trip with motivated individuals is great.
What opportunities are unique to local excursions as opposed to long treks to remote destinations?
Beer, hot food and a comfortable bed at the end of the day.
What inspires you to keep returning to the outdoors, as an individual, as a group participant, and as a guide?
The outdoors is where I feel at home. Spending time with like-minded people and sharing a memorable experience is how I prefer to spend my time.
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