Danny was born and raised in Texas, but that did not keep him from getting on skis at the age of 9 in New Mexico and Colorado, where he would try to spend as much time as possible exploring the mountains until graduating college from Texas A&M University.  After school, he spent 10 years throughout the west ski instructing and developing a passion for ski mountaineering.  This lifestyle was a natural progression into guiding.  Danny first began guiding in 2011 in Washington on mountains such as Rainier, Mt. Baker and many others throughout the North Cascades.  His winters would be spent ski guiding in the Wallowa Mountains of Northeast Oregon, or the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado.  Much of the last 8 years has also been spent guiding expeditions on Denali and Aconcagua.

When not guiding, Danny has spent his time skiing and climbing throughout the West, Alaska, British Columbia and Europe.  Some of his favorite trips have been ski expeditions into the Wrangell Mountains and Alaska Ranges in AK, multiple trips to Chamonix, and fall climbing trips in Southern Utah.  Now that Danny and his family call California home, he is looking forward to the balance between climbing and skiing that is offered in the Sierra Nevada and throughout California.

Danny is an AMGA Certified Ski Guide and has completed the AMGA Rock and Alpine Guide Courses.  Additionally, he is a Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Course Leader, Leave No Trace Trainer and a PSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor.  Danny intends to continue to pursue AMGA Certification in the Rock and Alpine disciplines.

Tim grew up in the suburbs of Portland OR and started skiing at 4 or 5. Both parents were from Colorado so upon moving to Oregon they bought a cabin at Mt. Hood and skied every weekend and holiday. Tim ski raced all over the PNW for nine years in all 4 disciplines.

After high school Tim’s brother got him a job in Aspen CO turning bindings in a rental shop. The skiing culture was a lot different there so he ended up getting a job as a pro patroller so they would stop taking his ski pass for what they considered reckless skiing. He was just skiing like everyone skied in the PNW, extremely fast.

After 4 years of patrolling Tim decided to take a sabbatical in order to fulfill a dream of spending a season in Chamonix, thanks Glen Plake.  After only 1 season in Chamonix his eyes were opened and he was done patrolling. During his 7 years in the Alps Tim climbed and skied with guides, soon to be guides, legends, and incredibly enthusiastic people. The Alps are where he learned ski touring, ski mountaineering, ice climbing, alpine climbing, and in general how to truly enjoy the mountains. Chamonix is also where he discovered his new heroes Patrick Vallencent, Jean-Marc Boivin , Sylvan Saudan, Remi Lecluse, Pierre Tardivel and many others who pioneered steep skiing. The latter living legend Tardivel became a mentor and Tim was invited on a few first descents in the Alps, thanx Pierre. Tim also discovered a whole new culture in France and studied French with a tutor and can speak conversational French which is nice since Tim’s wife is a Francophone. He is subsequently a bit of a Francophile, no apologies, France is amazing.

After so many years in Europe, Tim came home to spend time with the family and took his first AMGA ski guide course in Aspen.  Bela Vadasz was the course director and he invited Tim down to Truckee to continue his education, and eventually became a full-time Alpine Skills International guide.

Tim have lived and guided in the Sierra for the past 9 years and is an AMGA aspirant mountain guide with a Ski Guide certificate. He is currently enrolled in an upcoming Rock Guide Exam and hopes to finish his IFMGA in 2019. Tim is also an AIARE level 1 course leader Level 2 instructor and currently a Wilderness First Responder.

Brigitte moved to the Eastern Sierra in 2007 from Southern California where she grew up with the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. She has a Bachelor of Science degree and teaching credential in Biological Sciences. Prior to moving to the Sierra, she spent 18 years as a Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard protecting the lives of beachgoers and 7 years teaching middle school integrated science.  In 2006, she decided to pursue her love of outdoor education and took a mountaineering course for outdoor educators with NOLS in the Pacific Northwest where she officially caught the bug ultimately leading her on her current path. Since 2007 she has guided and instructed courses in mountaineering, backpacking, and sea kayaking disciplines exploring areas of Alaska, the continental U.S., and Europe. In addition, she has personally ventured in Africa, China, and Central/South America. When Brigitte is not guiding for SMG, she instructs courses for NOLS Expeditions and NOLS Custom Education, runs her own business, Beyond Limits Education, Inc., and spends time adventuring with her husband.

Certifications/Qualifications

• NOLS Field Faculty (Mountaineering, Backpacking, Sea Kayak Programs)
• Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician
• AIARE Avalanche Level 2
• PSIA Alpine Ski Level 2 Instructor
• American Red Cross Instructor
• American Health & Safety Institute Instructor
• California Emergency Medical Services Authority (ICEMA Region) Instructor
• Wilderness Medical Associates International Instructor
• Professional Ocean Rescue Swimmer

Since her initiation into climbing in 1999, Lindsay has travelled to world-class climbing destinations and guides clients of all abilities on rock, ice and alpine climbs. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Lindsay knew she wanted to return west where the mountains offered a plethora of climbing opportunities. She began a career coaching youth competitive climbing teams and managing climbing gyms. Through her experience teaching the technical skills of climbing Lindsay naturally transitioned to guiding and works closely with her clients to develop their skills. Various guiding venues include Rockies, Tetons, Sierra, Rainier, North Cascades, Alaska, the north and southeast US, Argentina, Mexico, and Iceland.

While Lindsay loves rock climbing she excels as a technician on ice. From the ice meccas such as the Northeast, the San Juan’s in CO, Hyalite Canyon in Bozeman, MT; Cody, WY; to the stunning fjords of Iceland she brings her clients to their peak level of performance. When Lindsay isn’t climbing you can catch her playing guitar and singing at local cafes. She has first ascents in India and Iceland. Lindsay lives spring – fall in the Eastern Sierra and Bozeman, MT in the winter.

Lindsay’s certifications:

• AMGA Certified Rock Guide
• AMGA Certified Alpine Guide
• AMGA CWI Provider Trainer
• AMGA SPI Provider
• AIARE Pro II Certification
• Wilderness First Responder
• Leave No Trace Trainer

AMGA Certified Rock Guide

Michael started climbing in 2006 in Maryland at Towson University but didn’t find a real passion for climbing until he traveled abroad to New Zealand in 2007 for a semester of college. He met so many people from all over the world that had come to New Zealand just for the climbing. The amazing community that he became part of him fueled his fire for climbing. Once back in the states, he finished a degree in Sport Management and embarked on a mission to learn more about climbing. Michael scored a job at an East Coast climbing gym called Earth Treks. Working with great people and making lifelong friends in the indoor gym naturally led him to further expand onto the natural stone. He took that time to embark upon a career working in the climbing industry, learning about every aspect possible. This naturally led him to an interest in guiding. He started guiding for Earth Treks in 2010 teaching rock climbing in summer camps, introductory level outdoor climbing courses, and weekend ice climbing in the Adirondacks. Since then, Michael moved to California and has continued his professional guiding development through the AMGA. He is a certified Rock Guide since 2016. In addition to guiding with SMG in the Eastern/High Sierra, he currently resides in Santa Barbara most of the year where he works as lead route setter, head coach of the youth team, and guide at Santa Barbara Rock Gym. On days off  he has been been climbing all over California, and North America honing skills as a climber, guide, and  lifelong learner. If you can’t find Michael in the climbing gym chances are he is outside getting stuck in Sierra alpine cracks or out amongst the crag dwellers in the  the greater U.S.!

Ashley was born and raised in California and began guiding in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 2010. For her it began in Yosemite, and gradually evolved to the High Sierra. She obtained a bachelors degree in civil engineering and environmental science, though her true calling, she quickly realized, was in the Sierras. She couldn’t deny the magic of the backcountry, and how it brought a deeper appreciation and simplicity of life. She loves sharing this special place with others and seeing clients come away with life-changing experiences. Ashley enjoys learning about world religions and cultures and has travelled to India, Nepal, Peru, and Armenia. Ashley is a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and Ayurvedic Health Counselor.

I don’t remember not being a skier. Growing up in Switzerland, I skied with my brother on a hill behind the farmhouse.  I started backcountry skiing in elementary school. Today, as an AMGA certified ski guide and AIARE avalanche course instructor, I am still passionate about skiing deep powder. I have skied extensively in the Alps and in North America.

According to my husband, my other expensive habit is climbing. My dad used to drag me up 4^th class peaks as a kid.  This eventually led to a semester with NOLS and my ongoing fascination with the American West. I have climbed all over the Alps and I am still ticking off routes in  the  Sierra Nevada. I am an AMGA certified Single Pitch Instructor and an apprentice Rock Guide.

Being out in the mountains, especially on stormy days, is how I rejuvenate and gain strength for my other job as a mother of three daughters. My family and I live in Lee Vining, CA.

Credentials:

AMGA Certified Ski Guide

AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor

AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide

NOLS Wilderness First Responder

Elementary Teaching Degree in Switzerland

Anouk Erni has been climbing for 11 years throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.  Her first experience climbing was in Joshua Tree National Park, and she was hooked! Living in Los Angeles at the time and working as a television editor and composer, Anouk started out a weekend warrior, frequenting the local crags such as Stoney Point. But, pretty soon it wasn’t enough, and she started venturing further and further into the mountains and the alpine.  Trad climbing had become her passion, and being so close to the Sierra, Tahquitz, and Yosemite National Park, there was plenty of terrain to explore.  While she really enjoys guiding clients in the alpine environment, her real passion is teaching new skills to her clients, and setting them up for success in their own future endeavors. By helping her clients to be more confident and knowledgeable, Anouk believes that this benefits the outdoor community as a whole.

Mike grew up in Arizona where he was introduced to the outdoors by his father, spending time hiking, camping, and fishing in the Mogollon Rim area of Arizona. He works as a RN in the Eastern Sierras region and currently resides in Bishop, CA. Over the past decade, Mike has spent much of his time exploring the Western United States, climbing mountains, backcountry skiing, and backpacking. He has enjoyed every challenge along the way and is always looking forward to new and exciting adventures. In his off time away from the mountains, he enjoys running, cooking, yoga, scuba diving and spending time with his family.

Ryan grew up near the coastal tidewaters of the Puget Sound in Washington State, but has since traded moss and rain for the sunshine and splitter cracks of the Sierra Nevada.  Since graduating from Western Washington University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Adventure Management, Ryan has called the Sierra home. Beginning with leading extended backcountry mountaineering and backpacking trips for the Outward Bound School all over the range, he finally settled down in Mammoth Lakes to enjoy the unbelievable skiing and climbing the Eastside is famous for.

Ryan’s passion for climbing has taken him around the world, from Yosemite Valley where he has climbed more than 25 big walls including a 9 day ascent of Tribal Rite (5.10 A4), to Patagonia where he has made many major ascents including Fitz Roy and first ascents of remote alpine walls.

He is a certified AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide, an AIARE Course Leader, and is a Wilderness First Responder. 

Steven grew up in Golden Colorado where he learned to ski at quite a young age.  He began to venture outside the gates in his mid teens and never looked back.  While attending college in Durango CO, he continued to push his skills and knowledge earning his turns in the San Juan Mountains.  He has skied across the globe from Canada to Japan to the Himalaya where he helped start a ski school for local kids in Gulmarg, Kashmir. 

Steve has worked as an avalanche professional for over a decade, as a Ski guide, a professional ski patroller and an avalanche educator.  Steve moved to the Eastern Sierra in 2018 and works as an Avalanche Forecaster with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center. When Steve isn’t skiing, he spends his time rock climbing, mountain biking, and leading river trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

SMG Lead Guide & Owner
UIAGM/IFMGA Ski & Mountain Guide

Howie is an international UIAGM & AMGA ski and mountain guide. He was fortunate to learn to ski as a toddler and he owned the first p-tex snowboard by Burton in 1987, which he hiked up the groomed runs of East Coast ski resorts. He discovered rock and alpine climbing in 1988 on a trip to the Tetons. The highlight was climbing the Grand Teton via the upper Exum Route with legendary climber and guide Chuck Pratt. Since then, climbing, skiing, and mountain guiding has taken him to many spectacular places, primarily to the Sierra Nevada, Alaska, and throughout the Alps – but also to places like Canada, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Antarctica, and Thailand. He has logged numerous first ascents and ski descents in his personal and professional tenure. Howie has been guiding since 1993, and became one of the first 20 American guides to achieve the IFMGA professional credential in 2001. He was also the first and only American IFMGA guide to pass ski guiding exams on telemark equipment (though he shortly afterward went back to his fixed heel roots). With an outdoor education background, Howie got involved with teaching Avalanche Awareness Courses for a small Swiss-owned guide service in Crested Butte, Colorado in 1997. There he became one of the several collaborators to design the now ubiquitous AIARE avalanche course curriculum, and was the creator of the ” AIARE Decision Making Framework,” which the Level 1 & 2 courses are still based upon. Howie teaches Level 1-3 Avalanche Seminars and is involved with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center locally as a Board Member. Howie has also been an instructor/examiner for the AMGA Training and Certification Programs since 2000, working in all 3 disciplines and serving on the AMGA Technical Committee. He spent 6 years overseeing and developing AMGA ski mountaineering guide training and certification programs as Ski Discipline Coordinator. Lately, when not overseeing SMG’s operations, Howie has been getting back to what he loves most – climbing, skiing, guiding, & family. Howie also enjoys flatpicking guitar and can be seen jamming with string musicians throughout the Eastern Sierra. Howie’s wife, Karen, manages their unique mountain shop on Main Street in Bishop, California called Sage to Summit. They own a geodesic dome in Big Pine, but recently moved back to Bishop where they currently live with their amazing son Cosmo and dog Wheeler.

SMG Lead Guide & Owner
UIAGM/IFMGA Ski & Mountain Guide

Neil is a second generation mountain guide. Born in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Neil began climbing when he was six years old. A 20 year+ resident of the Eastern Sierra, Neil enjoys the close proximity to backcountry skiing, rock climbing and alpine peaks. “After guiding and climbing in many different countries I am still in awe of how cool the East Side is. I still have more than a lifetime worth of climbing to do in my backyard.”

Neil is an international UIAGM & AMGA ski and mountain guide. In addition, he is an avalanche and snowboard instructor, as well as a local ski patroller. Neil has climbed extensively in the United States as well as in South America, Mexico, Europe and Africa.

Jen has lived in the Eastern Sierra for almost 20 years.  Born in Mammoth Lakes, she was taught to love the mountain life from a young age.  Jen’s passion for the mountains runs deep; from the highest peaks to the most remote lakes, it is the places least travelled which she enjoys experiencing most.  After taking a NOLS Alaskan Mountaineering Course, carrying 70 lb. packs, Jen vowed that fast and light was the only way to go.  Ever since completing her first thru hike of the John Muir Trail in 2002, Jen has realized the possibilities of lightweight backpacking, hiking the JMT several more times since and making countless forays into the lesser known corners of the range, usually with a fishing rod in hand.  She also has made many trips throughout the Sierra Nevada for ski tours, rock climbing adventures and peak bagging missions.  It is this intimate knowledge of her home mountains which she enjoys sharing most with people, and it is easy to feel her infectious energy when talking to her about wild and seldom done backcountry routes. When Jen isn’t in the mountains or adventuring somewhere new and exciting, she works as an EMT at the Mammoth Hospital.

A product of Central Ohio, Kevin began climbing in 2010 after moving to Northwest Colorado. After 7 years of climbing, skiing and guiding around the Mountains of Colorado, Kevin relocated to Washington to further advance his guiding career. Soon, he would move into his van and began traveling around seasonally for guiding work, moving between Washington, Alaska, Nevada and California. After a few years of this transient lifestyle, he decided there was no place better to work, live and play than the Eastern Sierra. Kevin is an excited climber and skier that loves pushing his technical ability and physical limits. In his free time, you can often find him skiing or trail running around his home in June Lake or climbing rocks and ice around the Eastside. Kevin values each trip he takes into the mountains with guests. He strives to deliver unforgettable adventures, fostering positive experiences for all he works with to learn and grow from. Kevin has a B.A. in History, is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Assistant Alpine Guide, AIARE Course Instructor and Wilderness First Responder.

Spending the better part of a decade living, working, and climbing in Yosemite National Park, Brooke cut her teeth as a climber toiling away on El Capitan and moving through the High Sierra, including multiple solo & A4 big wall ascents. She’s dedicated her time to rescue and snow science, spending multiple seasons working on Yosemite Valley Search and Rescue, ski patrolling, as an avalanche course instructor, an avalanche center employee, and on a rescue patrol on Denali with the NPS Climbing Rangers. She is passionate about working with people to help them better understand the natural processes of the mountains, and how to move through them more safely. She is an experienced EMT, AIARE Avalanche Course Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, is Winter Mountain Weather Forecasting certified, and is moving through the AMGA Ski Guide Track and continuing into her PRO 2 this winter. She is as big of a snow nerd as it gets, coming from a field engineering background working on remote weather stations, so she’s always stoked to talk snow!

Originally from Washington, Molly grew up exploring great outdoor spaces of the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Introduced to climbing in 2000 by her father, Molly has continually been climbing from a young age. In 2007 she moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington’s Business School, receiving a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship. Molly worked in Finance for 7 years before deciding to follow her passions to the outdoor industry. From guiding in Seneca Rocks, WV, Joshua Tree, CA, The Eastern Sierras, Washington, and now Japan, Molly has been guiding full-time for 8 years. She is currently a Certified Single Pitch Instructor, and Apprentice Rock, Ski and Alpine Guide through the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) and is pursuing full certification in the Rock and Ski realms. Molly holds an EMR medical certification through the National Registry and just completed her Professional Avalanche Level 2, the highest certification for avalanche professionals in the United States.

During the shoulder seasons Molly follows her passion for the outdoors by finding classic climbing and ski lines, whether it’s the Cascades, the Rockies, or Sierras, you can usually find her natural habitat of a mountain landscape. However, once a year she does venture onto the water for weeks to months long sailing adventures on the open ocean: it helps keep her hydrated.

Paloma grew up in Seattle, Washington where she discovered her passion for the mountains through family backpacking and climbing trips in the Cascades. In 2017 she traveled to South America and fell in love with the granite towers of Patagonia. Since then she has split her time between Patagonia, Chile and the US. Paloma spends as much time as possible climbing and some of her favorite areas are Patagonia, the Peruvian Andes, the Cascades, Indian Creek, the Wind River Range, and the High Sierra. Her favorite type of climbing is big wall alpine climbing but Paloma also enjoys single pitch trad and sport climbing, bouldering and ice climbing. When Paloma isn’t pursuing her own climbing goals she finds fulfillment in sharing her passion with others and teaching the skills necessary to be self-sufficient in the mountains. She is currently certified as an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Avalanche Level 1, and Leave No Trace Trainer.

Mike Pond has been guiding for 12 years, which has taken him throughout the Western US, Alaska, and South America, and is delighted to call the Sierra the home range. He lives in Renoand travels down to climb and ski in the Eastern  Sierra as much as he can, and is getting to know Hwy 395 very well by now!

Mike grew up in New York State, where he learned to climb and ski while getting his Bachelor’s degree in Expeditionary Studies in the Adirondack Mountains. He also has a Master’s degree in Recreation Studies, in which his research thesis “Investigating Climbing as a Spiritual Experience” brought a deeper perspective to the motivations and outcomes of spending time in the mountains.

Mike is a well-rounded climber, comfortable and passionate about all types of climbing, from single-pitch cragging days, to long technical alpine routes and expeditions. He has established first ascents in the High Sierra, Cascades, Alaska, and BC Coast range, and is currently working his way through the innumerable classic routes of the Sierra. Which is fun homework!

Mike is an AMGA certified Rock Guide and apprentice Alpine Guide.

Isaac found his appreciation for the outdoors growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Isaac attended Sierra Nevada College in Lake Tahoe where his appreciation evolved into a lifelong passion. The scenery, accessibility, and culture of the surrounding mountains captivated Isaac to major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Environmental Science and Outdoor Adventure Leadership at Sierra Nevada College. Here he was inspired by his teachers and peers to facilitate the creation of special moments in the outdoors. As one of his mentors says “special moments happen, we just have to show up for them”. These special moments have been responsible for lots of personal growth for himself and those around him. He has experienced the power of the outdoors firsthand and looks forward to lifelong learning in the mountains through climbing and skiing.