Guide Staff
MELISSA ARNOTGUIDE, INTERNATIONAL
After establishing a career in the outdoor industry, teaching Wilderness medicine, Melissa began working as a professional mountain guide in 2004. Her passion for teaching, taking care of others and climbing is what led her to being a mountain guide, but it is her enthusiasm that has taken her all over the world to climb, guide and teach. Melissa is a skilled rock climber, both sport and traditional, as well as ice leader. She became a lead guide in 2006, and enjoys facilitating others experience in the safest way possible, while still having fun. Melissa is from Montana, where she spends most of her time mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing or thinking about climbing.
Significant Ascents
53 Summits Mount Rainier (14411)
2 Expeditions Cotopaxi, Ecuador (19348)
2 Expeditions Cayambe, Ecuador (18997)
1 Expedition Aconcagua, Argentina (22841)
Various ascents in the North Cascades, WA
Various expeditions in Glacier Park, MT
Rock/Ice climbs in Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Colorado, and Kentucky
Rock leads up to 5.12(sport)5.11(trad)
Ice leads up to WI 5
Certifications
Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician Basic
Emergency Medical Technician Instructor
Basic Life Support Instructor
U.S. Avalanche Level II
Leave No Trace Trainer
MEAGHAN LOUGHLINGUIDE, INTERNATIONAL, RAINIER
A resident of Mazama in the North Cascades, Meaghan spends her spring and summer months guiding on Denali then on Washington peaks such as Baker, Rainier, and others throughout the Cascades. She spends her winter months guiding Aconcagua, where in the past she completed her university thesis by organizing an expedition to and successful climb of the highest peak in South America. Meaghan enjoys climbing hard rock routes in her free time as well as skiing steep slopes of powder in Valdez, Alaska. Recently, Meaghan went on an expedition to the Himalayas to climb Cho-Oyu and Ama Dablam. Some of her notable ascents include Mt. Kenya, Ishinca in Peru, and the upper West Rib of Denali as well as numerous ascents in the North Cascades of Washington.
Significant Ascents
2 Denali Expedition, (1 Guided, 1 Personal)
1 Aconcagua Expedition (Guided)
1 Climb of Mount Baker, WA (Guided)
2 Climbs of Mount Rainier (personal)
1 Climb of Mount Kenya, Kenya (personal)
1 Climb of Inshinca/Urus, Peru (personal)
Various ascents in the North Cascades, WA
Various ascents in Chugach Rang, AK
Rock/Ice climbs in Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Level II
STUART ROBERTSONGUIDE, DENALI
Stuart has had a lifelong passion and love for the mountains and outdoors. Early backpacking trips with family and friends quickly progressed to mountaineering throughout Britain often in 'full on' Scottish winter conditions. Following university, where Stuart studied Geography, he spent four months trekking and climbing in the Nepal Himalaya. On return Stuart served as a Paratrooper with the British Army and much of this time was spent on Britain's higher ground in less than ideal conditions. In the past five years Stuart has had the privilege of climbing rock, ice and alpine routes throughout the diverse State of Washington. When not climbing he enjoys running, flying and spending time with his wife, Amy, and four-year old son, Kai, at their home in Seattle.
Significant Ascents
15 ascents of Mount Rainier via six routes
6 ascents of Mount Baker via six routes
3 ascents of Mount Hood via three routes
3 ascents of Mount Shuksan via three routes
Over 50 Cascade Peaks
Over 150 Scottish Munros, including Ben Nevis, via ten routes
Numerous rock, alpine and ice climbs in Europe and North America up to E1 5.10
Scottish Winter Grade IV-V Solo
Imja Tse (20,305'), Mera (21,247'), Chukhung Tse (19,253') and Tharpu Chuli (18,045') in the Nepal Himalaya
Certifications
Mountain Oriented First Aid
Avalanche Level I
Leave No Trace Trainer
UK Mountain Leader
Board Mountain Leader
Single Pitch Supervisor
ROBERT LINKGUIDE, DENALI, RAINIER
The term "seasoned mountain guide" often conjures up an image of a tough and temperamental veteran of altitude who has seen it all and lived to tell about it. But anyone who has ever been a client of Robert Link knows that there exists another kind of guide who, besides an unyielding concern for safety, is generous with encouragement and whose interests go much further than simply how many clients have reached the summit this year or that. Soft-spoken and genuine to a fault, Robert is known for his dedication to helping clients achieve their goals. Central to his philosophy is the idea that a guide can be much more than just a guide; he or she can also be a teacher and a friend. Robert began his climbing career at age seven when he climbed Mount Adams with his father. Since that time he has summited Mount Rainier over 290 times and climbed extensively throughout the world, leading numerous successful expeditions in Nepal, Tibet, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Antarctica, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Italy and Alaska, to name a few. His climbing resume lists dozens of successful ascents on such high-altitude giants as North America's McKinley and Orizaba, South America's Aconcagua, Chimborazo, Illimani and Cotopaxi, and the Himalaya's Kanchenjunga, Cho Oyu and Everest. In 1989, he was part of the first American team ascent of the North Face of Kanchenjunga. He summited the North Col Route on Everest in 1990 with climbers from China and Russia as part of the International Peace Climb. He lacks just one peak (Carstensz Pyramid or Kosciuszko, depending on who you ask) to achieve success reaching the highest summits on each of the seven continents. Robert is known for his skills as a professional guide, combining a knack for teaching mountaineering techniques with a thorough, logical approach to safe guiding. People who have been on trips with him have remarked on his calmness under pressure, his love for cultural history, his ability to forge group solidarity and his genuine enthusiasm for seeing his clients realize their goals. Robert likes nothing better than to put his experience and knowledge at the service of those who share his passion for the mountains. Robert and his wife Cari live in Bend, Oregon, with their son, Dalton. Most recently, RObert joined an exclusive club when he attained his 300th summit of Mount Rainier.
Significant Ascents
295 summits of Mount Rainier (14,410')
17 expeditions on Mount McKinley (20,320')
1 expedition on Mount Hunter (14,235')
4 expeditions to Everest (29,035') (Summit on the most successful Everest Expedition in History)
Kangchenjunga (28,208')
Cho Oyu (27,766'). Lead guide for successful expedition via the Tibet side
Dhaulagiri (26,795'). Group reached 25,300'
4 successful guided climbs of Kilimanjaro, Africa
12 expeditions on Aconcagua, Argentina (22,835')
13 climbs of Cotopaxi (19,348')
12 climbs of Chimborazo (20,701')
Guided 6 climbs of Popcateptl, Mexico (17,800')
Guided 18 climbs of Pico de Orizaba, Mexico (18,700")
Guided 8 climbs of Ixtaccihuatl, Mexico (17,342')
Guided 5 climbs of Illimani, Bolivia (21,003')
Guided 5 climbs of Huayna Potosi, Bolivia (19,975')
Westface of Jahntugan, Russia (14,728): First American ascent with Ed Viesturs.
Guided 2 climbs of Mt. Elbrus, Russia (18,501')
Italian side of the Matterhorn
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Level II
Leave No Trace Trainer
SUZANNE ALLENGUIDE, INTERNATIONAL, RAINIER, MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
Originally trained as a teacher, Suzanne loves sharing her passion for outdoor ethics and appreciation with others. She has spent her years in the northwest exploring the Cascades as well as classic routes in other western ranges including the Sierras, Tetons, and Bugaboos with climbs of Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, Bugaboos, Mt. Hood, El Dorado, extensive rock climbing at Smith Rocks, extensive climbing and ski descents in the North Cascades and the Volcanoes of Mexico. Winters find her pursuing the backcountry powder in Utah and Oregon and occasionally performing Celtic music in Seattle and she guides Aconcagua for us.
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Level II
DEVIN BISHOPGUIDE, RAINIER, MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
Devin was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and has climbed extensively in the Cascades for over seventeen years and guided for five. His adventures as a rock climber, alpinist and ski mountaineer have taken him to Alaska, the Sierras, Oregon and British Columbia. When not working for Alpine Ascents Devin can be found playing piano, cragging or setting routes and instructing for The Vertical World climbing gym in Everett, WA.
Significant Ascents
Rainier (2)
Denali (1)
Baker (3, 1 guided)
Mt. Hood (1)
Mt. Olympus (1)
Mt. Shuksan (2)
Eldorado (1)
Sahale Peak (2, 1 guided)
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Level I
Awards ;& Recognition
Denali Pro Pin
MICHAEL HORSTGUIDE, INTERNATIONAL, RAINIER
Michael grew up climbing and skiing in the mountains of Washington and has been guiding on Mount Rainier and internationally since 2000, with over 100 successful summits on Rainier alone to his credit. Michael exhibits strong leadership abilities in bringing groups of climbers together into cohesive teams. He is proficient in the technical aspects of mountain climbing but also the strategic aspects such as planning and executing a multifaceted climb of an 8000 meter peak. Michael is remarkably calm and at ease when climbing at high altitude such as on the summit of Cho Oyu. Being a seasoned guide on Rainier has enabled Michael to successfully guide numerous groups to the top of major peaks such as Denali and Aconcagua. Having guided over 10 expeditions to the Mexican Volcanoes, and several expeditions to Ecuador’s Volcanoes and Bolivia’s high Andean peaks, Michael is not only familiar with climbing the great mountains of South America but is also fluent in Spanish. In addition to climbing, Michael enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, adventure racing, surfing and kite boarding.
Significant Ascents
1 summit of Cho Oyu
2 summits of Denali
107+ summits of Mount Rainier
3 summits of Mount Whitney
2 summits of Chimborazo and Cotapaxi (Ecuador)
6 climbs of Aconcagua (Argentina)
10 summits of El Pico de Orizaba & Ixtaccihuatl (Mexico)
2004 Subaru Primal Quest
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Level II
JEFFREY JUSTMANGUIDE, DENALI, RAINIER, MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
Jeff Justman has been a professional mountain guide for 10 years and during that time has guided over a dozen Aconcagua expeditions, well over 100 trips to the summit of Rainier, and 7 expeditions to 8000 meter peaks of the Himalayas including the summit of Everest. JJ has also guided several trips to Denali. He enjoys guiding in South America for the cultural aspects as well as the fantastic climbing opportunities, having spent ample time in Ecuador and Bolivia. JJ has also climbed Mt. Elbrus in Russia. As a professional mountain guide year round, JJ ends up living in Mendoza, Argentina for about half the year and living in North America near Seattle the other half. He has a masters in communication and regularly gives lectures and motivational speeches on mountain climbing.
Significant Ascents
120 ascents of Mount Rainier (14,410')
4 expeditions to Mt. McKinley (20,320')
2 expeditions to Mt. Everest (29,035') - Summit
1 expedition to Dhaulagiri (26,794')
1 expedition to Manaslu (26,781')
1 expedition to Broad Peak (26,400')
1 expedition to K2 (28,750')
1 expedition to Cho Oyu (26,900')
11 expeditions to Aconcagua (23,000')
5 expeditions to Ecuador: Cotapaxi and Cayambe
1 summit of Chimborazo
1 expedition to Bolivia, Huayna Potosi and Illiamani
1 expedition to Illiniza Sur and Illiniza Norte
2 expeditions to Mt. Elbrus, Russia
3 winter ascents of Mt. Whitney, CA
Numerous ascents of selected North Cascade Peaks
Certifications
Outdoor Emergency Care Technician - National Ski Patrol
Wilderness First Responder
Professional CPR Provider
Avalanche Level II
Awards ;& Recognition
Ground Sponsored Athlete
JOHN THOMSONGUIDE, RAINIER, MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
A recent graduate from Colorado College, John is very excited to be guiding for Alpine Ascents this year. He comes from Colorado Springs with three years’ experience guiding for Pikes Peak Alpine School. His personal climbs include an expedition to the Waddington Range as well as many climbs around the Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Aside from climbing he enjoys ski mountaineering and works for the Keystone Ski Patrol. John also speaks Spanish.
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
Leave No Trace Trainer
Avalanche Level II
JIM PURDYGUIDE, RAINIER, MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
An instructor for over 10 years, Jim has guided Denali numerous times including trips up the Muldrow glacier. He has climbed extensively in the North Cascades and in Nevada – including long winter traverses. This will be Jim’s first season with Alpine Ascents and we’re thrilled to add his name and experience to our roster of guides.
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Level II
ANDY TANKERSLEYGUIDE, DENALI, RAINIER, MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
Mountain guide of nearly 10 years and has been working with us at our Alaska School and guiding on Denali the past few years. Andy has climbed in Patagonia the Pacific Northwest the Tetons and has a wealth of rock climbing and mid winter expeditions. Andy is also a certified LNT trainer and has over 125 field weeks as a guide.
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Level II
IAN WOLFEGUIDE, RAINIER, MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
Ian has climbed all over the Western United States, from his native stomping ground of the Colorado Rockies to the remote Waddington Range in British Columbia. Recent haunts include Eldorado Canyon, Squamish, and Red Rocks. During the winter he became a Senior Patroller for the renowned Winter Park Professional Ski Patrol, and this fall he plans to return to MIT in Boston to pursue a degree in physics, where he plays soccer and ski races slalom and GS. You may also find Ian paddling hard, hoping to add to his attendance at Junior Olympics, US Cup, and Wildwater Nationals, or working on his photography skills.
Certifications
Wilderness EMT
Avalanche Level I
DENNIS CAMPBELLGUIDE, DENALI, RAINIER, MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
An energetic, passionate, and highly knowledgeable teacher, Dennis´ trips are renowned for being as memorable as they are instructional. As a professional guide for nearly a decade he has amassed a varied, well-rounded, and wide breadth of guiding experience. Dennis has guided extensively in California and through out the Cascades, New England and his native Vermont. AMGA trained, he is a conscientious, prudent leader and instructor for our North Cascade and Alaska programs. At home equally on rock, snow, or ice his own climbing tastes have taken him to climb all over the globe, including many diverse climbing destinations in the US, Canada, Alaska, and South America. Dennis lives in the monumental state of Jefferson, and can likely be found farming corn on Mount Shasta, soaking up the sun on the warm granite of Castle Crags, or on occasion at home tending to his orchard.
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Level II