About

Rich specializes in skiing, climbing, and avalanche education.

Rich, a seasoned backcountry guide, embarked on his journey after graduating from college in 1994, settling in Tahoe City, California, nestled within the breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountains. Immersing himself in backcountry adventures. Rich’s daily pursuits revolved around skiing, hiking, biking, and climbing. As his passion deepened, Rich pursued certifications from renowned institutions such as AMGA, NOLS, WMI, AIARE, PSIA, and others, laying the groundwork for his career in guiding.

One of Rich’s earliest guiding experiences involved leading a transformative 39-day expedition to Alaska with a group of adventurous 16-year-olds. This expedition encompassed a diverse array of activities including sea kayaking, backpacking, ice climbing, and rafting, igniting Rich’s lifelong dedication to guiding. Since then, Rich’s guiding ventures have spanned across iconic destinations such as Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainier, Denali, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Antarctica, Canada, Alaska, France, Switzerland, Japan, and throughout the western United States.

Whether guiding on skis or foot, Rich prioritizes education on every excursion, emphasizing avalanche awareness, glacier safety, backcountry ski proficiency, climbing techniques, and mentorship for aspiring guides. From the storied trails of the Haute Route in Europe to the majestic Andes of South America, Rich is committed to enriching his clients’ experiences through effective communication and skill-building. His mission is not only to lead but to empower individuals to become confident backcountry enthusiasts, instilling a profound respect for nature and mountain environments. Over the years, Rich has had a steadfast commitment to safety, enjoyment, and environmental mindfulness, Rich invites adventurers to join him on an unforgettable mountain escapade.

Testimonials

After climbing Mt Rainier with Rich I jumped at the chance to join him in Ecuador. The program was well balanced, organized, and had a great mix of mountaineering and local Ecuadorian culture. The huts and Haciendas were more than comfortable and we ate like kings for two weeks straight. Rich’s vast experience always made me feel safe, the acclimatization strategy, in my opinion, led to success on each volcano we attempted. This was an amazing and personally rewarding trip! I would highly recommend climbing with Rich.

Rich is one of those rare guides who brings the whole package: total competence and backcountry skill set combined with a super encouraging and grounded attitude toward helping clients achieve their personal best. He knows the importance of giving back to the outdoor community and of taking care of the places we play. And he definitely knows where to find the goods. All of us at Winter Wildlands Alliance are stoked to work with Rich.

In May 2009 I joined Rich on a 5 day Denali Preparation course on Mount Shasta. This was one of the most enjoyable climbs I’ve undertaken, and also one of the most informative. I experienced pulling a sled and carrying a pretty hefty backpack, while snowshoeing our way up to Horse camp and then into Hidden Valley. All the while Rich provided us with great training on snow camping, crevasse rescue and glacier travel. Rich demonstrated a vast knowledge of mountaineering and gave great tips generously. The camps were well organized and the guides made every effort to provide us with delicious food. On summit day the climb was well paced and I always felt in safe hands roped up with Rich. We had spectacular weather going up the west face and I would definitely do this climb or any climb again with Rich. Overall this was a great expedition.

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