Winter 2024/25 Course Dates now available for registration.
Originally from Colorado, Kiira grew up snowboarding, rock climbing, and kayaking with her family. After high-school she took a gap year, traveling with NOLS to Patagonia, Chile as well as completing her EMT certification through Denver Health Paramedic School. Kiira graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a bachelor's degree in Geology. It was through her various pursuits in education that she deepened her love for the natural world and found her love of instruction and teaching. Kiira has been working a Mountain Guide since 2019 and guides in Utah, Washington, and Alaska.
When she's not guiding, Kiira can be found: Whitewater kayaking, skiing, trail running, climbing, baking, and so much more! Her main focuses continue to be split boarding and whitewater kayaking, maybe someday soon she'll figure out a trip and a partner to link the two sports together.
Kira is currently pursuing becoming an AMGA certified Split board guide. Other certifications: AIARE professional level 1, AIARE instructor, AMGA Alpine Skills course, EMT, Wilderness First Responder, and Swift Water Rescue Technician.
Kira Antenucci
Josh has a wide breadth of experience that he has gained on over 18 international expeditions in 9 countries. He has climbed a number of notable routes in the Himalaya, Karakoram, Andes, Coast Range (BC), Patagonia, and the Arctic. He has put up significant first ascents on alpine walls up to 3,000 feet high in some of the most remote corners on the planet. He has also skied off the summits of some notable peaks through out the world.
With his personal expedition experience serving as the backbone of his career, Josh has focused his efforts in outdoor education on sharing the lessons that he has learned in the mountains with his students. He has honed his craft while working as a Senior NOLS Instructor, an Alpine Guide for Exum Mountain Guides, Instructor for the University of Utah, and as an instructor for seminars for various organizations throughout the country.
Josh created the School for International Expedition Training with a vision to train aspiring mountain guides and outdoor educators so that they can learn the skills they need to stack the odds in their favor while developing their skills. He feels that the expedition is the perfect medium for grappling with, and understanding life's greatest lessons and he loves mentoring students through that process! Josh received his BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, AMGA SPI Course/Exam Provider, holds a level 3 avalanche certification, is an AAA Pro member, holds a current WFR and CPR, is an Adjunct Instructor for Green Mountain College and the University of Utah, and has received 2 awards from the American Alpine Club for his international climbing endeavors.
Josh Beckner
Tyson is the lead guide at UMA and the author of Backcountry Skiing Utah. He remains passionate about skiing and climbing in the Wasatch Mountains, where he guides every winter (ski, mountaineering, ice and avalanche instruction;) and summer (rock, alpine climbing, traverses, etc.)
He continues to push himself and his guests in the mountains. In recent years, he led Ama Dablam, 22,250, in the Everest region of Nepal, through his private guiding company, Global Mountain Adventures; and a private Denali Expedition. In the Tetons, he guided the Cathedral Traverse in one 20-hour push. In Utah he led a 20,000 foot ski "tour" in Big Cottonwood Canyon. He specializes in steep and technical ski descents including the Grand Teton; many lines near Valdez, AK; East Face of Lone Pk; NW Couloir of the Pfeifferhorn; Coalpit, Superior, Stairs Gulch, and Salt Lake Twin Peaks.
Tyson grew up climbing and skiing in Idaho and Wyoming, and has guided since 1994. He's led 11 Denali Expeditions and over 100 each of the Grand Teton and Mt. Hood, Oregon. He's also guided in Washington (incl. Rainier,) British Columbia, SE Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, California, Chile and Russia. He intermittently does avalanche consulting; safety work for films and high-angle construction; and guest guiding with Powderbird and Exum Mtn Guides.
Bradley has made Alaskan first ski descents of Denali's Wickersham Wall, Foraker's Sultana Ridge and Mt. Fairweather. He's led expeditions to Mt. St. Elias, the Himalaya, Alps, and Andes, including Khan Tengri and Pik Pobeda, Kyrgyzstan; Muztagh Ata, China; Snow Lake, Pakistan; Lobuche and Ama Dablam, Nepal; Huascaran, Peru; Mt. Blanc, Mt. Rose, Dolomiti Via Ferratas, Grossglockner, Elbrus and the Haute Route (EU) and Ecuador Volcanoes. Tyson has skied Mt. Rainier 18 times by 5 different routes, including the Liberty Ridge. He's skied Mt. Adams 22 times, and been on Shasta, Baker, St. Helens, Glacier Peak, and the Sisters.
Tyson is also a Realtor, Commercial Fisherman and Freelance Writer (including for Ascent, the Backcountry Snow Journal and Utah Adventure Journal) He earned a BA in Econ from Univ. of Washington in 1987, and now teaches Avalanche Level I at Westminster College. He enjoys outdoor sports and travel with his family and resides in Sugarhouse with his wife, Julie Faure, the President of UMA, and their sons Roman (b. May, '02) and Diego (b. April, '05.)
Tyson Bradley
Tyson Bradley
Chris Brown grew up skiing in the Northeast where he was introduced to the activity by his father when he was two. He has been hopelessly addicted ever since. He moved to attend the University of Utah in 2004 in the hopes of skiing bigger mountains and deep snow. Chris graduated in 2009 with a B.S. Urban Design and moved to Washington state to pursue a career in Architecture where he spent a few years skiing the Cascade and British Columbia backcountry and Volcanoes. This is where his passion of the outdoors led him to pursue a career as a professional guide.
He moved back to Utah in 2012 to continue forward with his guiding and to pursue full IFMGA certification. He enjoys skiing in all the ranges he has visited, and is always looking to travel to new places to push his ski mountaineering. In 2019, Chris became an AMGA Certified Ski Guide and also holds an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Certification and is an AMGA Apprentice Alpine and Rock Guide. He has a passion for sharing the mountains with people and loves pushing peoples abilities to new heights. Chris loves ski guiding whether it's ski touring, ski mountaineering or mechanized in the Wasatch, Uinta and Teton ranges.
He also has a zest and innate understanding of avalanche science and meteorology and teaches numerous avalanche courses each year. When the snow melts, he is an alpine and climbing guide in the Tetons, Wind River, Beartooth, Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. During the off season's he enjoys making up lost time with his wife climbing, skiing and traveling. Chris has also written in the past for a few publications. He lives in Salt Lake City with his wife Ashley.
Chris Brown
Chris Brown
Erme Catino is a skier, freelance writer, and avalanche educator who began guiding with UMA in 2020. He has a M.S. in Environmental Studies and has worked in various roles within the ski industry – including running PR for brands, contributing to various ski publications, and was a correspondent for Powder Magazine for eight years.
He's typically walking around the Wasatch in search of powder or scheming his way to British Columbia, and loves showing clients the deep blower Utah is known for. He began teaching avalanche classes in 2019 with the Utah Avalanche Center and helped coordinate a new youth program. He also works as an instructor with the American Avalanche Institute.
Erme Catino
Allison grew up in the Midwest and began climbing during college at the Red River Gorge in Kentucky in the late 90’s. She obtained a degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Dayton in 2001 and quickly relocated to California for year round access to the mountains.
Allison started spending winters in Utah in 2003 for the stellar backcountry access and amazing powder skiing. She has climbed and skied extensively throughout the west and in South America.
Allison also teaches avalanche courses for the Utah Avalanche Center and has guided at risk teenagers extensively in the mountains and desert.
Allison Conover
Originally from New England, Bobby moved to Utah in 2007 to pursue his passion of climbing and skiing and to finish college with degrees in Chemistry and Exercise Physiology at the University of Utah. After leaving a career in healthcare to pursue a life teaching in the mountains, Bobby now spends his time guiding full time in Alaska, Washington, Colorado, and Utah. Climbing has taken Bobby around the world to South America, Europe, the Canadian Rockies, and over 30 trips into the Central Alaska Range. Bobby is most passionate about climbing remote exploratory routes in his free time and sharing the places and lessons learned from his time in the mountains with others.
Certifications and Recognitions include:
Bobby Cosker
Bobby Cosker
He holds a BS in International Politics from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management (ASU). Bill splits his winter as a Ski Patroller at Powder Mountain in the Northern Wasatch and a UMA backcountry ski guide in the Central Wasatch.
Outside of Utah, Bill has skied and alpine climbed in the European Alps, Iceland, Canadian Rockies and many parts of the Mountain West, in addition to guide work in Alaska.
In other endeavors, Bill delivers emergency shelter aid to disaster zones around the world with ShelterBox International, where he is also a Trustee for the UK-based organization. Bill also enjoys rock climbing, mountain biking and fly fishing with his family and friends, in addition to an occasional surf trip as a nod to his California competitive surfing roots.
Additional credentials and education: Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) — Licensed National Registry EMT, Utah EMT, NOLS Wilderness First Responder, American Avalanche Institute Professional Level I Avalanche Certification, and completion of AMGA (American Mountain Guide Association) Alpine Skills Course (2019).
Bill Decker
Bill Decker
Ben Farrar originally hails from Lake Tahoe, NV where he grew up climbing & skiing. Following a brief stint on the east coast for college, he now splits his time between Utah and Wyoming, where he works for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides in the summer. Guiding feels most meaningful to Ben when his clients not only have a fun day, but also learn something new about themselves or the mountain environment. His climbing and/or skiing experience includes Denali, Nepal, Chamonix, the Peruvian Andres, Canadian Rockies, and trips throughout the Western US. Still, it's hard to beat a sunny powder day right here in Utah!
Ben Farrar
Ben Farrar
Julie was born and raised in France and started mountaineering in the Alps. She has rock, alpine and ice climbed in the continental US, Alaska, France and the Northern Himalaya. She has led two Denali expeditions, completed the first ski descent of neighboring Mt Foraker's Sultana ridge, and summited 23,000’ Khan Tengri in the Tien Shan Mtns. of Kyrgyzstan. She has enjoyed many nights on the big walls of Yosemite’s El Cap and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. In the fall of 1995, Julie traveled by bicycle through Western China, Tibet and Vietnam. Her outside interests include culture, politics and cinema.
Julie has worked for Utah Mountain Adventures, first as a guide since 1995 and then as director and president of the guide service. She and Tyson Bradley have two sons: Roman (b. May, ‘02) and Diego (b. April, ‘05).
Julie Faure
Rain Felkl is an Alaska Native born and raised in Juneau. After making the move to the Wasatch Mountains, she was quickly captivated by the freedom and adventure of human-powered splitboarding. She has had the opportunity to explore many corners of our home range as well as longer adventures in the mountain ranges of Alaska, Norway, South America, and the North Cascades. When she isn't riding powder, Rain is a rock climber and cyclist, which has naturally led her eye towards more exploratory splitboard objectives.
She began instructing avalanche education for the Utah Avalanche Center in 2019 and started instructing / guiding for Utah Mountain Adventures in 2021. Rain holds her Wilderness First Responder/CPR, Avalanche Professional Level 1, and Professional Avalanche Rescue certifications from the American Avalanche Institute.
Rain Felkl
Sam loves looking at the snow, surfing powder (and sastrugi), and most of all – teaching eager students. He has "nerded out" in the snow as an intern with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, been an observer for the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center and taught for the Alaska Avalanche School in Alaska; he has cat ski guided in Steamboat Springs, CO, and currently teaches with Utah Mountain Adventures, American Avalanche Institute, and the Utah Avalanche Center in the Wasatch.
When he isn't powder hunting, he and his wife Jessie spend their time in the desert Southwest and Alaska guiding backpacking and hiking, slithering through slot canyons, sidewinding single track, and searching for the perfect chimichanga.
His certifications include Wilderness First Responder, River Rescue and Pro Avalanche 1.
Sam Galoob
Quino, who was born in Chile, grew up climbing and skiing in the Andes and Patagonia. His first experiences as a guide took him to Antarctica, where he helped to set up the now legendary ANI base camp in Patriot Hills. Quino was trained as a Journalist and has a degree in Political Science.
He has organized and led expeditions in Patagonia, Peru, Pakistan and India. In 2001, he summitted Broad Peak, an 8.000 meter peak in the Karakoram and got very high on nearby K2. In 2005, he led an expedition to Gasherbrum I. An avid rock and ice climber, Quino has climbed extensively in the Wasatch Range, the Rockies and Canada. He has also spent years exploring the Wasatch backcountry on skis.
Quino feels that his obligation to his client goes beyond guiding. He believes in “a need to teach and educate every time we go out, not only to secure safety, but also to help people understand the beauty of a good line, whether when climbing ice or rock, or when skiing a snow slope” as a practice. Thus, he has recently completed his Level III Avalanche Training and is pursuing a full IFMGA certification.
Higinio (Quino) Gonzalez
Eric has been ski and snowboard guiding in the Wasatch for UMA since 1997. A Ski Patroller since 1982, Eric started in Vermont and ended up as patrol director for Solitude in Utah. Preferring the backcountry, he now spends most days touring the " greatest snow on earth". When the snow is old, he plays at or guides Kite-snowboarding.
Eric’s summers are spent on Cape Cod, MA where he started FunSeekers.org in 1992. Eric teaches kiteboarding, surfing and windsurfing on the beaches of Wellfleet.
Eric Gustafson
Originally from the Northeast, Billy graduated from Hamilton College in New York, with a degree in History before pursuing a career as a professional guide. Since college, his love for climbing and skiing has brought him all over North America as well as the world. Whether big or small, Billy is excited to share his passion and the experience of the mountains with other climbers and skiers.
Billy guides backcountry skiing and climbing in the Wasatch Mountains as a lead guide for Utah Mountain Adventures. In addition, Billy guides climbing and skiing in the Teton Mountains, the North Cascades, Alaska, as well as internationally.
Billy is a certified Alpine and Ski Guide with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). Billy holds Level 3 avalanche certification from the American Avalanche Institute, and is an American Avalanche Association Pro 1 lead instructor.
Billy Haas
Billy Haas
Jessie grew up in the oak forested hills of Oklahoma, venturing out West twice annually to visit National Parks in the summer, and ski in the spring. Jessie always knew she wanted to live in the mountains and won the jackpot when she was offered a job in Alaska to work as a business professional after college in 2010. Alaska introduced her to the ecstasy of powder skiing, the adventures of bushwhacking and off-trail navigation, and the solitude of wilderness. She quit the corporate world in 2016 and dove head first into pursuing passion. She has worked as a professional snow geek, guide, and outdoor educator across the mountains and deserts of the West since 2016. Jessie has her Professional Avalanche 2 from American Avalanche Insitute and has been a trained Wilderness First Responder for over a decade.
Her work experience includes:
Jessie Haffener
Jessie Haffener
Active by nature, Joseph grew up on a farm in south Georgia and a hard day's work outside was deeply ingrained in him. Far from big mountains, Joseph was introduced to the cliffs of gneiss tucked into the southern Appalachians. After cutting his teeth on rock routes, he moved out West, where training in the alpine has become an integral part of his daily life. This routine is built upon a long-standing regiment of fulfillment in the outdoors.
Joseph has guided in the rock, alpine and ski arenas in Utah, Colorado and Washington. When he is not guiding he spends most of his time climbing, ski touring, trail running and watching live music. His dedication to the mountains has awarded him a proficiency in traditional rock and alpine climbing along with a deep love of ski mountaineering. These passions have led him to the Canadian Rockies, Alps, South America and most domestic mountain ranges in pursuit of shared objectives and adventures. He continues to grow and build a knowledge for the mountain craft through personal experience, client commitment and the AMGA curriculum. Joseph has completed the AMGA Alpine, Rock and Ski Guide courses along with the Ice Instructor course. He is a Wilderness First Responder and Single Pitch Instructor. He also holds an AAI Pro 1 Avalanche Certification.
Joseph Hobby
Joseph Hobby
Sam grew up in Keene, New Hampshire where he developed a love for the outdoors at a young age. His early experiences in backpacking, snowboarding and climbing in the White Mountains inspired him to venture into larger mountains. During the winter, Sam is a splitboard guide and avalanche educator with Utah Mountain Adventures. He also teaches courses with the Utah Avalanche Center. During the summers, Sam is a mountain guide working in the Pacific Northwest. Sam currently attends the University of Utah where he is finishing a degree in Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Sustainability. At school, he works as a senior trip leader for his outdoor program which is focused on introducing students to various forms of human-powered recreation. He feels strongly that outdoor experiences promote self-efficacy, purpose, and personal growth. In his free time, Sam can be found canyoneering, rafting, and climbing in Utah's vast desert.
Certifications
Sam Hoffman
Cody grew up in Nashville, TN and started snowboarding at the age of eighteen after moving west to pursue a life in the mountains. After getting his skills dialed at the local resorts Cody found the splitboard and began his pursuit for solitude and fresh powder in the Wasatch backcountry.
Cody has a B.S. in Adventure and Outdoor Programming from the University of Utah. While in college Cody obtained a two-year internship with the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) where he found his passion for snow and avalanches. He began teaching avalanche education for the UAC in 2011 and started teaching/ guiding for Utah Mountain Adventures in 2015. Cody holds his Wilderness First Responder and Avalanche II certifications.
During the summer Cody works as a River Guide on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. When not guiding Cody can be found chasing his passions of trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing and travelling to splitboard mountains throughout the world. Cody has climbed and skied in Alaska, PNW and New Zealand. Come join Cody for an unforgettable experience chasing fresh lines in the Wasatch Mountains.
Cody Hughes
Mike is UMA’s chief rock guide and summer director. He has guided rock, ice, canyoneering, and alpine climbing for UMA since 1994, and he also guides for Moab Desert Adventures and Snowbird Expeditions.
Mike became inextricably hooked on climbing while spending time in the Tetons in the late ‘80s. It’s been part of his lifestyle since. He has climbed in Thailand, Greece, Cuba, France, and Canada, and has led trips to Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and northern India. His teaching experience is a strong element of his guiding. He’s been a high school and college teacher for 11 years, and was a PSIA certified ski instructor for 6. Kaserman rock climbs at a high level, and his mastery of the sport further enables him to bring out the best in his clients.
Mike Kaserman
Trevor is an avid skier, rock, ice, and alpine climber. He has a decade of backcountry skiing experience in the central Wasatch, and loves to pass on his expertise to UMA's students and guests. During the winter, in addition to working for Utah Mountain Adventures, Trevor works for a cat skiing operation as both guide and avalanche forecaster. In short, he skis every day, whether for work or for play, in addition to cooking for a private chef by night. In the summer, Trevor works in the Cascades of Washington as an alpine guide, mostly on Mt. Rainier. In the fall, Trevor works in an inpatient rehab for addicts and climbs desert sandstone. During his free time, Trevor rides his mountain bike, is an aspiring cook and audiophile, and loves his cat, Souleater. Through his guiding, Trevor hopes to promote inclusion, safety, and education.
Certifications:
Trevor Katz
Trevor Katz
New Zealander, Anna Keeling, is an internationally certified UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide. She has been teaching avalanche classes and guiding backcountry skiing, rock, ice, and alpine climbing for UMA since 2002. From ski racing and sailing in her teenage years, Anna moved into endurance sports (now known as adventure racing) in her early 20's while a student.
She won many NZ long distance kayak-cycle-run-ski races, including the inaugural Raid Gauloises Adventure Race in 1989 with a come-back to a podium place in the world championships in 2005. Anna has also worked on and raced in three Eco Challenges. Endurance sports led naturally to mountaineering and rock climbing. Mountain, ski and climbing guiding have taken Anna all over the world but she finds herself most often in Utah, the NZ Alps, the Canadian Rockies and the Indian Himalaya.
Anna completed a university degree in Parks and Recreation Management in 1990. She can also be found painting the mountains, desert and ocean. Anna became a mother in 2006 with the birth of her son, Obie.
Anna Keeling
Anna Keeling
Kevin grew up on the east coast skiing and mountain biking in Vermont. He started skiing at the age of 4 and it quickly became his passion. At the age of 11 Kevin started going out west to the Tetons and Wasatch and fell in love with the bigger mountain and backcountry skiing. On June 28th 2008 at the age of 17 Kevin Skied the Grand Teton via the Ford Couloir with the help of guides Kent Mcbride and Greg Collins and a new passion for ski mountaineering was sparked.
Kevin moved to Utah in 2016 to follow his dreams of working and living in the mountains. He started working full time for UMA in 2018 guiding backcountry skiing and rock climbing. When Kevin is not guiding he is skiing, climbing rock and ice around the Wasatch range with his friends. He enjoys getting up into the alpine away from the crowds and exploring the less traveled lines.
Certifications and Recognitions include:
Kevin Learned
Kevin Learned
Alex started skiing at age 5 near Montreal, Canada. Since graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation and Tourism, Alex has showed a relentless passion for skiing and climbing, which eventually brought him to Utah. He climbs over 100 days per summer, skis over 100 days every winter and has 30 years of experience working in the mountains.
Alex is uniquely qualified with extensive experience in both teaching technical skills as well as safely guiding in the backcountry. When he's not guiding, Alex spends time perfecting his own skills on rock (up to 5.13c), developing new climbing routes, skiing powder, mountain biking and hiking with his dog Frost, brewing award-winning beer as well as travelling all over the world in search of perfect rock and snow! With his infectious smile and fun, dynamic attitude, Alex is known for instilling a sense of adventure and free-spirit in everyone he guides. Alex is also the owner and founder of GearLoopTopo.com and SuperiorMountainAdventures.com and he would love to share his playground with you!
Certifications and Recognitions include:
Alex Lemieux
Alex Lemieux
Michelle started guiding and teaching rock climbing and canyoneering courses in 2014 near her home in Phoenix, Arizona. After spending much of her time dialing in her climbing, canyoneering, and rock rescue skills in the desert, she fell in love with the snow, ice, and alpine while on a trip to Washington. She then moved to Salt Lake City to have easier access to the mountains where she has been living and guiding since 2018.
She has been certified by the Professional Climb Guides Institute, and is CPR / First Aid certified. She values safety, efficiency and continuous learning above all else. When she's not playing or teaching in the mountains, she spends the rest of her time working as a Mechanical Engineer, playing music, and making bad puns.
Michelle Marco
Michelle Marco
Sam is a native of Maine where he grew up sea kayaking, hiking, and climbing on the New England coast. He quickly shifted his focus towards the West where he attended the University of Utah and fell in love with the high alpine terrain of the Wasatch Mountains. Sam has worked and climbed in the North Cascades, Alaska, South America and Utah. Notable ascents include the West Buttress of Denali, 20+ Ascents of Mount Rainier including five ski descents, Mount Borah via Psycho Therapy and numerous other ascents/descents in the lower 48. Sam is an AMGA Apprentice Rock, Ski and Alpine Guide and splits his time between Utah in the winter and the Pacific Northwest in the Summer.
In his free time, Sam can be found spending time with friends, fly fishing back on the Maine Coast and climbing and skiing in the Wasatch Mountains. In addition to his AMGA Certifications, Sam is an LNT Master Educator and holds an American Avalanche Association Pro 1 Certification.
Sam Marjerison
Nick McEachern grew up in New England skiing and snowboarding on the icy slopes of New Hampshire and Vermont. He relocated to Utah in 2015 where he earned a Master's degree at the University of Utah in Outdoor Education. At the same time he began guiding backcountry ski trips and teaching avalanche courses. Whether he's searching out the steepest powder in his home range, traversing glacial ice fields in Canada, or taking easy spring laps on Cascade Volcanoes, Nick feels at home in any mountain environment. His approach to Avalanche Education prioritizes good decision making and effective travel techniques aimed at having fun and getting home safely.
When there isn't snow on the ground, Nick works for Outward Bound in the Pacific Northwest and New York City where he teaches social and emotional learning while leading multi week long wilderness mountaineering expeditions. He is a Wilderness First Responder and an AMGA Apprentice Alpine and Ski Guide. In his free time he enjoys reading, writing, cooking, and playing guitar.
Nick McEachern
Born and raised on the banks of the Mississippi, Will comes to us from Iowa. He completed environmental studies degree with focuses on environmental journalism and physical geography at the University of Colorado. While attending school in Colorado, he was on the board of both the climbing & backcountry skiing clubs which sparked his passion for guiding and outdoor education. This involvement in the outdoors also led him to become a adventure sports photographer, shooting images and projects for clients like Patagonia, Red Bull, and Arc'teryx.
Will has extensive backcountry experience, both in climbing and skiing. He has skied across the United States from steep volcanos in the Pacific Northwest to aggressively deep powder in the heart of the Wasatch. Within climbing he's equally satisfied climbing beautiful alpine rock routes in the Alps or spending way too much time sport climbing on some of the best limestone crags in the Western United States. With an affinity for light and fast days out in the mountains, Will really enjoys linking up lots of terrain in single day pushes. Currently, he is pursuing his IFMGA certification with the hope to continue to learn and grow as a guide, providing the ultimate experience for his clients. Will is an AMGA Apprentice Ski & Rock Guide, Wilderness First Responder, and holds a Avalanche PRO 1 certification.
Will McKay
Will McKay
Todd grew up here in Utah, skiing and playing in the beautiful Wasatch mountains. He recognized his desire to work outdoors early on persuing and receiving his degree from the University of Utah's school of recreation and tourism. In 2000 Todd began guiding for Alpine Ascents International where he was a senior guide, leading trips to Alaska, Antarctica, Tibet, South America and the North Cascades. Todd Continues to guide for a number of guide services such as the Alaska Mountaineering School and as an independent guide organizing and guiding trips around the world. Check out his international mountain guiding group at www.inthecompanyofguides.com.
Even with years of experience under his belt Todd enjoys learning and continually seeks to improve his skill and ability as a guide. In this pursuit Todd joined the AMGA, and is now an AMGA Certified Ski Mountaineering Guide, and Certified Rock Guide, and plans to complete his full IFMGA certification in the fall with his Alpine Exam. He has also completed his level III avalanche training and is a Wilderness First Responder.
A natural leader, Todd takes extreme pride in helping skiers and climbers safely achieve their goals in the mountains, and have a great time doing it.
Among Todd's personal climbing accomplishments are: a first Ascent of the 5000' West Face of Mt. Vinson, The Cassin Ridge on Denali and the Walker Spur of the Grand Jorasses.
When not traveling around the world climbing or skiing Todd lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wife, climbing partner and fellow guide; Winslow Passey.
Todd Passey
Todd Passey
Winslow has been a professional mountain guide since 2000, guiding in areas such as Nepal, Mongolia, Alaska, Antarctica, South America and the Western United States. Attributes that are frequently used to describe Winslow are her enthusiasm and passion for everything she does. Winslow's love of skiing and climbing around the world is translated into conscientious instruction and guiding while delivering the goods and enjoying every minute of the adventure.
Winslow is an AMGA Certified Ski Mountaineering Guide and has completed her level III avalanche training. She is a Senior Guide for Alpine Ascents International and Utah Mountain Adventures.
Winslow is also a Certified Yoga instructor, receiving her training in Nepal from the renowned Yogi Dr. Sushil Bhattacharya. She loves to incorporate the techniques of balance, focus and strength learned through Yoga into her skiing and climbing instruction, bringing out the best in everyone she leads.
Winslow thrives on challenge and finds the mountain environment an exceptional playground in which she can meet this need. Some of her favorite challenges have been climbing Ama Dablam, Mt Hunter and the Grand Jorasses and skiing 10,000' foot days in Valdez, Alaska or at home in the Wasatch. Winslow's international trips are also led through a parallel company owned by he Passeys and Tim Connelly, www.inthecompanyofguides.com.
Winslow Passey
Winslow Passey
Mark is a native of New York where he started climbing while attending SUNY Plattsburgh's Expeditionary Studies program. The Adirondack Mountains were home for four years until he decided to move west to pursue his guiding career.
Mark has worked extensively in the North Cascades, Alaska, Russia, South America, and Utah. Mark has an incredible passion for teaching, and giving people life changing experiences in the mountains. Mark now splits his time between Washington, Alaska, and Utah.
Certifications and Recognitions include:
Mark Pugliese
Mark Pugliese
Timmy grew up a New York native but has been living throughout the Western United States for a few years. He completed the Expeditionary Studies program at Plattsburgh State in NY, which is where he got his head into the world of snow. An exchange program led him to Bozeman where he studied with Montana State University's Snow Science Program.
Notable trips: The Urner Haute Route Swiss Alps, ski touring Arslanbob Kyrgyzstan, ski mountaineering in the PNW, & bike packing Moab towers.
If he's not looking at snow through a loupe you can find him hunting down the next powder stash, or having a spritz on a traverse through the Alps.
He enjoys cooking so if you time your next guided trip right it might come with a side of steamed dumplings, spam musubi, or another ridiculous but essential field snack.
Timmy is an Apprentice Rock Guide, Single Pitch Instructor, & Wilderness First Responder, and he's completed his Advanced Rock Guide Course and Ski Guide course Fall 2022.
Timmy Rickert
Alan has been guiding since 2008, and is an AMGA Certified Rock and Alpine Guide. Climbing has taken Alan to the Alaska Range, Andes, Caucasus, Canadian Rockies, and the Himalaya. Visiting new places, and opening up new routes is what keeps Alan excited to climb. He has completed over 15 first ascents in various styles of climbing from large faces in the greater ranges to short mixed climbs in his own backyard.
His endless excitement for the mountains is obvious to clients, however he is often told a calm demeanor, and patience are his greatest assets. Alan works as a guide year round across the globe, but is always happy to return to his home and wife in Salt Lake City. Other Certifications/Education include: AIARE level III, LNT Master Educator, Wilderness First Responder & M.S. Outdoor Education.
Alan Rousseau
Susan Sims is a Salt Lake City native, growing up with the Wasatch as her backyard. She graduated from B.Y.U. with a B.A. in Comparative Literature, and lived in Boston, Massachusetts for several years where she worked in the publishing industry. After relocating back to Utah with her husband Dave, they started a family and are the proud parents of five children.
As her kids grew older, Susan decided to start climbing in her late 30s and was immediately fascinated and excited by the challenge of climbing on both rock and ice. She has since climbed throughout Utah and the western U.S., the Pacific Northwest, France, the Alaska range, Patagonia, the Canadian Rockies, and Quebec. She has also co-owned a climbing gym specializing in indoor dry-tooling, and served on the board of USA Ice Climbing, but her passion remains being outside and in the mountains. Susan loves to share her experiences and enthusiasm for climbing to help others find their own inspiration.
Susan is certified as an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, a Wilderness First Responder, and LNT Trainer.
Susan Sims
Susan Sims
Colby grew up in Vermont, skiing since age 2. After years of ski racing, he bought a touring setup during college and moved to Jackson, WY in the fall of 2006. The jagged peaks of the Tetons lured him in and soon he was skiing nearly every day in the backcountry. After 5 years of ski mountaineering and alpine climbing in Jackson, he moved to Salt Lake City in the fall of 2011.
Colby now skis exclusively in the backcountry, earning his turns throughout the winter. When the snow is gone he can be usually be found climbing one of the thousands of rock or alpine routes in and around the Wasatch. Colby has also climbed and skied steep lines in the Green and White Mountains, the Adirondacks, the Cascades, the Tetons, the Beartooths and Wind River Range.
Colby is WFR and CPR certified and received his Level II avalanche certification through the American Avalanche Institute.
Colby Stetson
Ben Wu is a mountain guide and photographer; rock climbing, alpine climbing, skiing, he loves it all. He lives for the never-ending pursuit of technical mastery in the mountains. He is based in Salt Lake UT but spends much of the year guiding and recreating in areas such as Moab UT, Red Rock NV, and Tetons WY.
Certifications:
Favorite climbs:
Ben Wu
Utah Mountain Adventures is one of Patagonia’s sponsored Pataguides. Patagonia recommends nine guiding organizations across the United States to their customers with a Patagonia stamp of approval. Utah Mountain Adventures has been endorsed by Patagonia since 2002, joining as the first Pataguide in the program. As a chosen partner, UMA represents Patagonia’s choice for the local area expert in the guiding profession.
UMA guides wear and review their Patagonia clothing and gives reviews online identified as a pataguide. So you can peruse and choose what the guides recommend!
February 5th, 2013 I have been wearing the jacket since November for different purposes (ice-climbing, back-country skiing, alpine climbing) and I think it is one of the best designed jackets I ever had. It is a great water repellent and wind breaker layer, but above all, it doesn't get in my way when I need dexterity and maneuverability. The hood is just the right size and doesn't hang over my face. The sleeves are just long enough and don't wrinkle on my arms. There are no gaps when I zip it up and that makes it easier to reach for gear on my harness. It stays under my harness as well. Pockets are the right size and I can fit there what I need. It also seems to be fairly resistant to abrasion. It breathes well and so far I haven't had issues with excesive moisture.
Utah Mountain Adventures
P.O. Box 521809
Salt Lake City, Utah 84152-1809
We require a 50% deposit to hold your space in a course or to reserve a private guide. Please call our office to make a reservation by phone 801 550 3986, register online or print our registration form and send it or fax it (801) 486-8505 with your deposit. UMA will send by e-mail a confirmation of the reservation.
Before participating in any class or guided program, you will be required to read, complete and sign UMA's approved "Participant Agreement, Release and Assumption of Risk" form and "USFS Visitor’s Acknowledgement of Risk" form. For participants under 18 years old, parents must sign.
Wow! How can I ever thank you and Quino for such a great climbing experience? I guess I will have to return for another adventure. Please recommend a trip for me for next summer / early fall. Thanks again for everything!
- Ray Jennings
I just wanted to let you know that I had a fabulous day touring the backcountry with Jonathon yesterday. Having used guides on a number of my mountain travels I have really come to appreciate someone with his qualities. He knows the area very well and did a superb job of adapting the itinerary to the changing conditions and presence of avalanche risk and made it a full and very satisfying day. . .
- Trond Skramstad
I just wanted to say thank you to [UMA guide] Julie for a wonderful time ... Julie found some beautiful lines, in knee deep powder, in a wonderful and secluded mountain setting. Her discussion of snow conditions and avalanches were invaluable. She was very informative and a pure delight to be with on my introduction to backcountry skiing . . .
- Al Morena
Winslow was awesome! Had a great day doing the Pink Pine circuit. She is a credit to you all. . .
- John Britton
Utah Mountain Adventures
P.O. Box 521809
Salt Lake City, Utah 84152-1809
Phone: (801) 550 3986
Fax: (801) 486 8505
Professionally Guided Rock Climbing, Rock Climbing Instruction & Training, and Rock Climbing Classes and Courses in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.
Utah Mountain Adventures (UMA) was founded in Salt Lake City in 1993 as a franchise of Exum Mountain Guides. For 15 years, UMA operated as Exum-Utah Mountain Adventures in the Wasatch Mountains outside of Salt Lake City.
Exum Mountain Guides, founded in 1932 by Glenn Exum, is the oldest and most prestigious guide service in the US. Utah Mountain Adventures shares Exum’s philosophy of “ excellence in guiding with a strong educational emphasis”.
In the fall of 2008, Exum Utah Mountain Adventures shortened its name to Utah Mountain Adventures. UMA continues to operate under a permit issued by the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, and has not changed its ownership, operations or guide staff.
Utah Mountain Adventures is one of the few guide services in the US that truly operates 12 months a year and offers the full gamut of guiding and instruction. Ski and snowboard backcountry touring remains the single most important “discipline” we guide, owing to unparalleled accessibility and backcountry snow conditions of the Wasatch Mountains. Avalanche Education has become second in terms of user-days as we’ve gained a reputation for great courses at reasonable prices. Rock climbing is the next most guided activity, followed by mountaineering, ice climbing, trekking, and canyoneering skills.
As the landscape of American guiding has changed, so has UMA. Forest and national park land managers and other guide services are allowing qualified guides to lead clients in diverse areas. For example, UMA now offers climbs on Mt. Rainier.
Also, UMA guides have trained Utah climbers in the Wasatch and then led them on the Grand Teton, the Grand Traverse, Mt. Whitney, Denali, the Haute Route in the Alps, Mt. Elbrus, Island Peak, and even 8,000-meter peaks in the Himalaya.
