About us

Peak Ascents is founded on two pillars: Expertise & Values

Expertise comes from both knowledge and experience. We have both. With decades of non-stop climbing around the world and in all different types of climbing and the highest level of rock guide training available, we make sure our guides are not just able to set up ropes, but have the real world experience to teach you all the lessons you need to succeed in any discipline of climbing.

Every day out with us, the lead guide is a Certified Rock Guide from the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), the highest level of certification in rock climbing. Many guiding services operate with guides who either aren't certified by the AMGA or are only certified as a Single Pitch Instructor (the lowest level of certification offered). The extra training and certifications allow us to offer the most knowledgeable guiding, up to date skills, and best practices for safety. Combined with our extensive experience, local knowledge and time spent in the field professionally, we believe this distinguishes us in a way of great benefit to our clients.

We teach our courses through experiential learning so our participants get the real experience not just of practicing a skill, but putting it to use with proper safety backups under the supervision of a Certified Guide. We aim to provide tailored courses to the individual, listening to goals and visions while also co-creating the experience together. We will work with growth edges and lean into a little adventure with intelligence and care - whether you're experienced and deepening your skills or brand new.

As guides we live for exploring the edges of climbing, and coming back to share the knowledge. We have the experience of grinding it out to develop new routes, climbing El Capitan, overcoming mental barriers, and making an average athlete into a 5.14 climber. We also haven't forgotten our routes or the struggle that it takes anyone to improve. Whether it's your first day climbing, you're looking to gain new skills, or break into a new difficulty of climbing, Peak Ascents can offer you the best guiding.

Our values are what connect our guiding service to the community and guides us through the world. Anyone can become an expert, but we believe the why matters too.

Inclusion - We believe the outdoors is a space for all. We seek to live up to this through every day behavior, not just offering a welcoming space, but standing up to those who attempt to belittle and alienate anyone in the outdoors. Nature is for everyone. Regardless of your gender, sexuality, race, or background - all facets of your identity are deserving of safety and equity. We will always recognize the power dynamics inherent to this country and will strive to dismantle that in the work we do and spaces we share. We're committed to ongoing openness to any feedback, ideas, or partnerships that serve marginalized communities.

Stewardship - We must respect and protect the environment. We need to take care of the land and wildlife, not just to preserve it for ourselves and our future, but because it is the right thing to do. Stewardship is woven deeply into the climbing community. It's not just a place to recreate and extract from, it's the home we love and and need to care for to ensure future generations can enjoy it as well. We hope to inspire youth and adults alike to carry the torch into their own lives by engaging with the beauty and importance of our natural world. Every time we go outside is a chance to help or harm the environment. Through Leave No Trace ethics and caring about the areas we use, we strive to to make a difference.

Fair Wages - Our goal is to provide fair and livable wages to all of our guides. We know there is a growing economic hardship and disparity in the world and unfortunately the outdoor world has had a long and dark tradition of underpaying and treating employees as expendable. We refuse the idea that anyone should "work because they love it" without fair pay. We love our work AND need to put food on the table. Despite guiding having a relatively high price tag, much of it goes to unavoidable business expenses and large additional portion is often kept by the company. We seek to be part of the solution through paying guides a wage that allows them to afford groceries, rent, and the costs of living.