Jackson Hole Mountain Guides had its beginnings in the winter of 1967-1968 when Barry Corbet, a well-known guide and skier, reached an agreement with Teton Village developers to operate a climbing school at the resort. He acquired a Forest Service permit for activities around the ski area, a climbing concession from Grand Teton National Park and hired long-time climbing ranger Pete Sinclair as chief guide. That March Corbet was paralyzed in a helicopter accident while filming a ski movie and thereafter had very little to do with the company.

JHMG operated out of Teton Village from 1968 to 1986. Pete Sinclair got the first season going with the assistance of Peter Koedt. Sinclair established High Camp in 1969; for many years tents and caves were the only facilities and access was via a rocky route next to the stream. Sinclair continued running the company until mid-season 1970. Other guides of the early days were Ray Jacquot, Ted Wilson, Jim Greig and Jack Turner, soon followed by Carlos Plummer, Bill Thompson and George Hurley.

Long time Wilson resident Jim Huidekoper owned JHMG from about 1970 to 1975. Bill Thompson, first the director, eventually became a majority owner until 1985. He was responsible for much of the foundation that underlies the guide service and he and Andy Carson remain the two most influential figures in the history of the business.

Andy Carson acquired and operated the business, with the assistance of Nancy Carson and Paul Horton, a minority owner, until 2000. In 1986 Carson installed the first Weatherport Quonset hut at the Grand Teton camp, much smaller than today’s model, and it was about that time the Carsons applied the name Corbet High Camp. He moved the business to town in 1987 after the resort made exorbitant demands to continue operating at the Village.

The guide service has been active in the Wind River Mountains since the initial seasons, and in the Beartooth Range of Montana since 1979. Winter guiding was rare until Andy Carson’s tenure. For many years Carson personally guided the vast majority of winter outings.

JHMG was sold to Kathryn Hess (Miller), Rob Hess, Jim Ratz and Phil Powers, a foursome that had met while working at the National Outdoor Leadership School, in 2000. Since Jim’s untimely death in 2005, his wife Lantien has continued the family interest. New partner and company director Dan Heilig came on board in 2006 and Kathryn Hess sold her shares at that time. Paul Horton has continued to be active in the company, and over the years has played an important a role as anyone in the evolution and success of the organization.

Today, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides guides hundreds of people each summer and winter in the mountain ranges of Wyoming and Montana. JHMG branch offices in Red Rocks, Nevada and Moab, Utah, established in 1997 and 2005, respectively, have added shoulder season rock climbing venues to the company’s mix of offerings.

The company employs over two dozen guides during peak season; many of the guides have tenures at JHMG of well over a decade.

Please visit Paul Horton’s collection of JHMG Guide Photos, and pictures from our 2008 40th Anniversary Party.