Shoot me a message with a little about your goals in the mountains.  We can then schedule a free consult to talk about how to get you the most out of your program.

If you don’t want to pay for a private program, the best strategy is to build a program with a group of friends or climbing partners.  If you have a group of 3-4 costs are much more manageable and this will give you a lot more flexibility scheduling a program that works for your schedule.  You will know the other people on the program and can make sure it’s a fun group. 

Yes! I typically list a number of programs with fixed dates because having a good team makes the program much more fun and less expensive.  Having a fixed date and climb makes it much eaiser to get everyone on board with the schedule.  However, if you have your own team or would like a private program there are always tons of options.

This is the most important question in guiding… and the answer is I don’t know until we have climbed together.  As we get to know each other part of the guides job is to pair you with objectives that will give you the right amount of challenge and the learning outcomes you’re interested in.  Get in touch and we can talk on the phone about where to start.

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Working with an independent guide you know who you are hiring and they work to serve your interests.  When you work with a guide service the person you talk to in the office and the guide you are booked with don’t work for you primarily, they work for the company and are focused more on serving the company’s needs than yours.  In many cases it will cost you the same to book a guided day with a 22 year old who has been doing this for 1 or 2 years as an IFMGA guide who has been doing it for 15.  When you book independent you know what you’re paying for.

Building a relationship with a guide is the best way to increase the value of a trip.  There is a lot of trust involved in mountain climbing on both ends.  As you develop a rapport with your guide it will make the experience much higher value and they will be able to start recommending good objectives.  The other side of the equation is the local knowledge guide, they don’t know you, your skills, your interests or your limits but they do know the area well.  This can be an advantage as an intermediate level skier especially, as they can take you right to the goods.  If you are into steeps though it’s tricky because you need build enough rapport with them quickly so they feel comfortable bringing you to the steeps.

Generally, I can provide all technical and camp gear.  Generally transportation and lodging off mountain is not included, as well as any food costs.