About Us: Our Guides
Our professional guides are a talented group of climbers, skiers, and mountaineers dedicated to providing safe and educational adventures. Each of our guides has an exceptional resume of mountain experience. Many practice their sport at the pinnacle of achievement.
Our head guide, Rob Hess, is one of only several guides nationwide who is certified by the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA), the foremost guide certification organization world-wide. IFMGA only certifies individuals who demonstrate the highest level of knowledge and ability in the areas of rock and alpine climbing and ski-mountaineering, including leadership, judgment, client care, technical expertise, rescue skill, and environmental consciousness. Rob is also on the Board of the American Mountain Guides Association, including serving as its Technical Director.
Technical skill is just one trait that distinguishes Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. Most importantly, our guides are sensitive, encouraging teachers willing to work hard to make your days rewarding and successful.
Aimee Barnes, Moab Director
Aimee started climbing in 1980 and started guiding in 1985. Aimee was a member of the 1990 U.S. Women’s climbing team and has competed at a World Cup level. Her professional career has been dedicated to developing the skills of new climbers, while inspiring seasoned climbers to achieve their goals. In the spring and fall seasons, Aimee can be found in the canyons of southeast Utah, overseeing Jackson Hole Mountain Guides’ Moab rock climbing office. E-Mail: Aimee
Mark Bergstrom
Mark is a longtime guide and outdoor educator who loves the fresh air and clear night skies. He enjoys working with clients who are challenging themselves and pushing their limits. He believes that the mountains bring out the best in people, and is glad if the experience obtained on one of his trips can provide helpful perspective to the rest of their lives. Mark, a father of two, feels lucky his body is still able to do this at 42! He lives in Victor, Idaho with his family. E-Mail: Mark
Lauren Blank
Lauren, one of our newer faces at JHMG, is a woman of many talents. After graduating with a degree in East Asian Studies, she spent two summers guiding in Tibet and China. She arrived in Jackson in 2001 to dedicate herself to outdoor pursuits, namely climbing and ski touring. With ascents throughout the western U.S. and Mexico, Lauren won the women's division at the Wyoming Bouldering Series competition in Jackson in January 2006. She is also the co-author of a publication, "Field Guide to the North American Bird." E-Mail: Lauren
Andy Carson
Andy has been a lifelong mountaineer for over 40 years. He
came to Wyoming in 1965 as a student on the first NOLS
course and never looked back. He and his wife Nancy moved to
Wilson, WY in 1968, raising two children while Carson taught
and guided in the western mountains. Since those days he's
climbed and guided around the world, and, with Nancy and
partner Paul Horton, owned and operated Jackson Hole
Mountain Guides through the 80s and 90s. He continues to
climb and travel, and though guiding is no longer his sole
occupation, he manages to keep his hand in
the profession with ascents in the
Tetons, Wind Rivers, and Red Rocks. E-Mail: Andy
Greg Collins
Greg is one of the strongest and most graceful rock climbers you will ever encounter, although he would rather be known as just a "skier from Victor, Idaho." The author of Lander Rock, Greg has been climbing at high standards since he was a teen and has completed many 5.13 first ascents. He has climbed the Grand Teton over 200 times by 30 different routes. Greg has established new routes on the Grand Teton, Mount McKinley, the Angel in the Revelation Range of Alaska, and in Pakistan. His ascent of Lukpilla Brakk (VI 5.11 A3) remains one of the more striking lines in the Karakoram Range. E-Mail: Greg
Trevor Deighton
Trevor has been guiding and teaching since 1993. He is an
AMGA certified Rock Guide. Trevor's favorite places/ranges
to climb include Yosemite, Cochise's Stronghold in
Arizona, the Tetons, and in Alaska; he has traveled as far
afield as Antarctica! His love of wild places transcends
climbing to include skiing, paddling, fly fishing, and
natural history. In between trips, Trevor lives in Teton
Valley, Idaho. E-Mail: Trevor
Tom Egan
Tom is a fluid and accomplished rock climber, with an extensive list of ascents throughout the West. His long guiding career has encompassed everything from extreme rock routes to big glaciated peaks, and his many return clients will attest to his personable nature. An Oregon resident, Tom spends the spring guiding in the Cascades for Timberline Mountain Guides, and in Alaska for Alaska Mountaineering School, before starting the Teton summer season with us.
Nate Emerson
Nate guides for JHMG in Wyoming and Red Rocks. He has completed all courses in the AMGA rock discipline. Nate started climbing rock in the mid-west, learning at Devil’s Lake WI and moving on to climbs in Illinois and Kentucky, up to 5.13a. He has since come farther west, starting with an ascent of El Cap in Yosemite early in his career. He enjoys the challenges of guiding, such as encountering a wide variety of abilities, age groups, and special needs. A man of many skills, Nate has also won a 100 mile ultra-marathon and been a club DJ! E-Mail: Nate
Mark Fisher
Mark began to develop his passion for climbing at the
illustrious and often-overlooked climbing mecca of Devil's
Lake, WI. Since then, he has explored rock, ice and alpine
adventures throughout the United States including Alaska, as
well as Canada, Europe, and Nepal. One of the most rewarding
aspects of guiding is sharing in the mix of emotions during
a climb and the sense of accomplishment one feels after a
challenging climb or mountain adventure. He has called the
Tetons home since 2001 and also works as a freelance
photographer. E-Mail: Mark
Kenny Gasch
Kenny's first experience with JHMG was as a client in 1998.
Since May 2005 he has managed the Cody office for JHMG, but
spends most of his time in the great outdoors where he
enjoys instructing and guiding. Kenny has been climbing for
13 years and has equal passion for sport and trad
climbing,ice climbing,and mountaineering. Skiing and
trekking also rank high on his list. Kenny possesses a
vast knowledge of the area, and is a strong advocate of
Leave No Trace ethics; combine these traits with his
outgoing attitude and you're bound to have a great trip if
you go with Kenny. E-Mail: Kenny
Bob Goodwin
Bob Goodwin has been guiding for JHMG since 2002. He guides for part of the year in the Red Rocks, near Las Vegas, NV, and in the Tetons during the summer. A talented rock climber, Bob has many Red Rocks ascents under his belt, including Rainbow Country 5.12c, on the Rainbow Wall. Bob has traveled and climbed extensively in the Western U.S., Spain, Italy, Argentina and Chile; and speaks fluent Spanish. He also works as a climbing coach and is a certified EMT. E-Mail: Bob
Rob Gowler
Rob first moved to Jackson when he was 18, and has pursued the outdoor life ever since. He has been on successful climbing and skiing expeditions to Alaska, Peru, Ecuador, and Patagonia, where he climbed Cerro Fitzroy in 2001. Guiding since 1995, Rob has taken many clients to the top of Denali, with Alaska Mountaineering School, and on Aconcagua as well. If you go on a climb with Rob, you’ll quickly realize that he seems to know just about everyone on the trail! E-Mail: Rob
Josh Gross
Josh Gross, an East Coast transplant from the Gunks, New York, has guided and taught outdoor education since 1996. Josh is an AMGA-trained rock guide and obtained a bachelor's degree in outdoor leadership from Prescott College. A dedicated rock climber with numerous 5.13 sport and trad redpoints, Josh has successfully completed climbing expeditions in
Argentina, Mexico, Alaska and the Yukon. Josh has also achieved more than 200 rock climbing first ascents in Arizona, Utah and Colorado and has guided more than 60 desert tower ascents near Moab.
Dan Heilig
As a NOLS instructor in the 1980s, Dan honed his climbing and leadership skills, leading both the first NOLS Acongagua expedition and winter ascent of Gannett Peak. He made early ascents of aid routes including Mescalito in Yosemite and as a prolific ice climber, ascended Canadian classics like Polar Circus and Slipstream. He teamed up with JHMG and NOLS friends in 1987 to climb Gasherbrum II in Pakistan's Karakoram, and returned in 1990 to attempt K2. An environmental lawyer, Dan worked for the Wyoming Outdoor Council in Lander, first as staff attorney and for six years as the Executive Director. He now returns to his climbing roots, joining JHMG as an owner. E-Mail: Dan
Kathryn Hess
Kathryn’s love of skiing and mountaineering brought her to the Tetons. A former course leader at the National Outdoor Leadership School, Kathryn has guided in the Rockies and on Denali. In 1999 she climbed Cho Oyo (26,901’) on the first all-American Woman’s Expedition to climb an 8,000 meter peak without the aid of supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support. She is currently in charge of our new Moab canyoneering program, and looks forward to leading you on a trip from a day to a week in length. E-Mail: Kathryn
Rob Hess
Rob, an owner of Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, was the third American to climb Mount Everest without oxygen. Rob has also successfully guided Broad Peak (26,440') in the Karakoram of Pakistan. He is the Technical Director of the American Mountain Guides Association, and in 2007 received their Outstanding Guide of the Year award. Next winter, ask Rob to take you on a skiing adventure in the Tetons or on the Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route in Switzerland. E-Mail: Rob
Eddie Horney
Eddie started his guiding career with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides in 2003, after twelve years of personal climbing and skiing in the Tetons and Wind Rivers. Eddie knows every backcountry nook and cranny around Jackson Hole, and is one of the friendliest people one can hope to meet in the mountains. A particularly skilled skier, Eddie has descended hundreds of ski lines in the Teton and Wind River Mountains. He also has several first ski descents to his credit, including Illampu, Katatica Central, and Katatica Este in Bolivia. E-Mail: Eddie
Paul Horton
Paul started climbing in Wyoming in the late-1960s. He has been working with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides as a guide, manager or owner since 1978. Today, he continues ascending routes, the more obscure the better, in the Tetons and Winds and on crags and peaks throughout the West. Paul's long climbing career has led to a fascination with the mountaineering history of the Tetons and Wind River Range. He recently completed a project to preserve and catalogue the extensive Grand Teton National Park summit register archive. E-Mail: Paul
Evan Howe
Evan started guiding with JHMG in 1995 and is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide. He also guides on Denali for Alaska Mountaineering School and has instructed over 400 days of wilderness education for the National Outdoor Leadership School. Evan has climbed throughout North America for 20 years, and has been on expeditions to Mt. Hunter, Mt. Foraker, Mt. Saint Elias, the Karakoram, and West Africa. He has pioneered first ascents in the Tetons and Pakistan and has ascended El Cap 6 times, 3 times in one day. Evan has taught avalanche courses for 6 years, and also teaches beginning and professional rock rescue seminars. E-Mail: Evan
Mark Limage, Las Vegas Director
Mark has over 23 years of rock climbing and 20 years of backcountry skiing experience to share with JHMG clients. He has climbed extensively throughout the western United States, guiding in Red Rocks, the Tetons, the Wind River Range, the Sierras and Devil’s Tower. Mark’s passion for the outdoors is rivaled only by his uncanny ability to make clients feel at home in the vertical world. E-Mail: Mark
Whit Magro
Whit started climbing in the Tetons when he was 16 years old. His hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio never looked the same after a summer in Jackson Hole and two years later he moved to Montana and took up climbing in earnest. With a fall back career as a social studies teacher on hold, Whit has spent the last 10 years focusing on hard rock and ice climbs from Yosemite to Wyoming. E-Mail: Whit
Sue Miller
Sue is a lifetime outdoorsperson, with mountaineering ascents from the top of Mt. McKinley to peaks of the Himalaya. She has established many new routes in Wyoming and is a senior guide at Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. Her ascents of the Grand Teton are approaching 100, via all aspects including the 2nd ascent of the North Face's Simpleton Pillar. Since earning a biology degree at Colby College she has accrued a wealth of knowledge in natural history and ecology. She has applied this experience in work with the USFS Bridger-Teton Air Quality program, and currently in the study of bald eagles in the Snake River watershed. E-Mail: Sue
Julia Niles
Julia has been guiding and teaching climbing since 2000. She
is an AMGA certified Rock Guide and is on her way to being
IFMGA certified by 2008. She is committed to the adventure
of the mountains spending most of her time chasing down the
best snow, the perfect ice, or the sunniest rock. She has
guided numerous peaks spanning from Denali in the North to
Aconcagua in the South. After recovering from a surgery that
removed a tumor along with half of her left lung, she made a
hearty comeback by completing the Grand Traverse of the
Tetons in one day. Without a permanent address, she can be
reached by e-mail if you need any advice in going paperless.
E-Mail: Julia
Patrick Petersen, Office Manager
Patrick, our office manager, was a guide for 12 years at JHMG. His first hand, extensive knowledge of the mountains around here, along with his ability to put everyone at ease, makes him a valuable asset to our clients. Patrick will suggest appropriate climbs for any skill level. His climbing experience spans the continent and includes a fine ascent of the Cassin Ridge on Mount McKinley. E-Mail: Patrick
Mark Postle
Mark has been a climber for 16 years, teaching and leading trips since 1994. Based in Bend, OR, he spends his winters ski patrolling and guides and climbs the remainder of the year. Mark holds a B.S. degree, graduating with honors in Organic Chemistry. He enjoys pursuing all aspects of the sport from bouldering to scaling the glaciated peaks of the pacific northwest in a day. An avid technical climber, Mark has climbed over 50 5.13’s, including the Smith Rock testpiece White Wedding (5.14a). Showing people from all walks of life the skills they need to succeed in the mountains is what he loves the most about guiding in the Tetons. E-Mail: Mark
Phil Powers
Over the years Phil has partnered with many of the guides to make ascents around the world. In 1987, Phil climbed Lukpilla Brakk with Greg Collins and Gasherbrum II (26,390’) with Rob Hess and Dan Heilig. In 1991 he made the first ascent of the Washburn face on Mt. McKinley with Greg Collins and in 1993 he climbed K2 with no supplemental oxygen. Phil is the author of Wilderness Mountaineering and coauthor of Expedition Planning, and finds the time to be both the Executive Director of the American Alpine Club and an owner at Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. E-Mail: Phil
Nathan Opp
Nate went to MSU in Bozeman in 1997 and started climbing at about the same time, and there wasn't really room for both. Some of his favorite climbs have been El Cap in a day a few times, Winterdance in Hyalite Canyon, the French Ridge on Huntington in a day, skiing the Grand solo, and putting up new routes in Southwest Montana. He has also climbed 13 of the beautiful Fisher and Mystery Towers in Utah. He has been on the ski patrol at Big Sky since 2000, and he really likes Vivaldi.
E-Mail: Nate
Steve Quinlan
Steve has been guiding with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides since 1981. A longtime, innovative climber, Steve’s first ascents can be found in ranges and climbing areas around the globe. He has put up hundreds of new routes in canyon country, as well as big walls in the Wind Rivers, Alaska, and Baffin Island. Steve makes his annual summer pilgrimage to the Tetons from Durango, CO, where he lives with his wife and former mountain guide, Cris Ann Crysdale. E-Mail: Steve
Laura Schmonsees
Laura found her passion for climbing in 1993 and has been
passing on her enthusiasm ever since. Before settling in
Teton Valley, she traveled around the country and world,
climbing mountains and scaling crags. She is an AMGA
certified Rock Guide who enjoys the views from the high
places she visits. Laura is also an avid backcountry skier
and teaches avalanche courses at the Guides. While traveling
through the mountains Laura is bound to teach you about the
local plants, animals and geology. E-Mail: Laura
Philip Swiney
Philip has been an active climber since 1994, and while he has climbed all over the country, he is particularly drawn to the sandstone of the desert southwest. Philip has been an outdoor educator for years, and joined the JHMG Red Rocks staff in 2006. With a degree in geology and environmental sciences, a background in archaeology, and knowledge of Greek, Portugese, and French languages, Philip will make any day's outing an interesting one. E-Mail: Philip
Tom Torkelson
Tom has devoted the past decade of his life to his passion for the mountains; guiding, ski-mountaineering, alpine climbing, and adventure photography and videography. He has organized and led more than 50 high-altitude expeditions in South America, Alaska, and the Himalaya. His area of expertise is the Andes, where he has established new climbing routes in Peru and Bolivia, and has ascended Aconcagua 18 times. His professional videography carreer includes successful expeditions to the summits of Cho Oyu and Mt. Everest. E-Mail: Tom
Brian Warren
Brian has been climbing since 1998; after growing up in Georgia he headed west to find snow and big mountains. He has climbed in Alaska, the Alps, and the American West, and enjoys alpine rock, steep couloirs, and coffee. He has taken basic courses in all disciplines for the AMGA, and is working towards Aspirant status. Brian likes to help his clients achieve their goals! When not climbing rocks, he can be found up in a tree as a certified arborist. E-Mail: Brian
Doug Workman
Doug Workman has been guiding since 1998 and climbing since 1989. He works
for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, as well as Valdez Heli Ski Guides, and Alaska
Mountaineering School on Denali. He has also worked for Utah Avalanche Center in Logan, the International Mountain Climbing School, and the National Outdoor Leadership School. His resume includes ski descents in the Tetons (including numerous descents of the Grand) and Alaska, and climbs throughout the United States and Asia, including exploration of the Kok-Shal Tau range in China and first ascents in Pakistan and Alaska. E-Mail: Doug
Jed Workman
Jed is a talented climber, with everything from 5.13 redpoints to first ascents in Pakistan and Alaska on his resume. He started his guiding career in 2000, instructing for the National Outdoor Leadership School. He first came to JHMG in 2003; if you spend time in the mountains with Jed you are unlikely to forget his infectious laugh! Jed also instructs ski mountaineering for Alaska Pacific University and is a Denali lead guide for Alaska Mountaineering School. He is a Matanuska Valley, AK resident, with a garden that grows larger every year in the midnight sun. E-Mail: Jed
Tom Wuthrich
Tom has been guiding with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides since 1999 and has climbed in the Tetons since 1992. Tom is equally happy on rock, ice and snow. He provides a quality guiding experience whether it is backcountry skiing, water ice climbing, or rock climbing. A Jackson resident, Tom also runs a computer business and is a proud father. E-Mail: Tom
