International Man of Mystery...

My photo
I grew up in the Boston area and lived there until my junior year in high school when I attended the Mountain School, a semester program run by Milton Academy in Vershire, VT. I then attended Colby College in Waterville, ME. During my time at Colby I studied anthropology, spent a semester in Northeast India, and became fluent in Nepali. Before I became a guide I earned my black belt in kenpo karate and taught karate for 6 years. I began guiding in college on the rocky coast of ME with Acadia Mountain Guides and on ice at the International Mountain Climbing School in NH. After graduating I took to the highway and drove from ME to WA for the big mountains and glaciers. I spend my winters in lovely Ouray, CO guiding in the famous ice park. I am currently working towards becoming a certified guide through the American Mountain Guides Association. I live, work and play in the hills and on the rocks. On the rocks both literally and, well, with ice.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Still Kickin' (and Swingin')


So it has been a while since we were last able to post simply because we have been so busy taking people from all over the country ice climbing all over the San Juans. From the Ice Park, to Camp Bird Road, to Telluride, to Silverton. 


It is such a joy sharing ice climbing with climbers of all levels. Whether it is teaching people to plant their front points solidly into the ice for the first time, or taking them up one of the areas famous hard-man (or woman) climbs, we love getting people out on the ice.

Even though some people are thinking spring, as I look out my window at the latest snow storm I know that the ice climbing and backcountry skiing will stay good for a while to come. If you haven't had the chance to come climb or ski with us yet this year, give us a call, we would love to take you out!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Twofer

I got to spend yesterday climbing with Marista and John from OH. Though they had never climbed in the Ouray back country before they had done a bunch of climbing out east and in the Ice Park. I was thrilled to show these two the gems that lay outside the Ice Park.



We managed to tick off two classic Ouray lines with wildly different character. The First, Dexter Slabs, Was a wide open flow with incredible views of the Mount Ridgeway and the Uncomphagre Gorge. We finished that around noon and drove up Camp Bird Road to climb the classic ice chimney Skylight. Marista and John thought the ice chimneying was 'the craziest route' they had ever done. Thanks for a great day guys!
 

Monday, February 13, 2012

Keeping it Real in Ouray




Wow, what a crazy month! I have been fortunate to climb with a number of awesome folks from all over the country within and outside the ice park. I had the opportunity to teach two people to lead ice climbs, I guided Bridal Veil Falls, and made the ascent of an obscure trad mixed line on Camp Bird road. I admit, I have been so busy I have been slacking on the blog posting, I am sorry.

Now I am sore and content. Oh, and I am psyched to go climbing tomorrow!