Anna Allen

Anna grew up avidly exploring the woods around her home in Olympia, WA. She didn’t start adventuring in the mountains until college, so she had to make up for lost time! After receiving a BA in Environmental Studies, she worked building and maintaining trails for the National Park Service at Mount Rainier for about a decade. During this time she became an avid mountaineer, rock climber and skier. In 2014 Anna received an MBA in Sustainable Systems and changed careers to mountain guiding and ski patrolling. She now guides year-round: on glaciated peaks in the summer, on rocks in the fall, and on snow in the winter. Anna loves guiding because she gets to help facilitate people’s reconnection with the natural world while adventuring in amazing places. She is especially passionate about teaching classes because she is fueled by the endless stoke of the novice, and has immense respect for their desire to become competent, intentional mountain travelers. When Anna isn’t guiding, she loves to sleep, ski, rock climb, trail run, knit hats, sleep, and spend as much time as possible with her wonderful husband.

Take 5 with the Guide

What was your first mountain?
Mount Rainier, Emmons glacier.

What’s always in your snack bag?
Cashews.

If you could be stuck with anyone (past or present) at base camp for a week, who would you choose?
David Attenborough.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not guiding?
Float in warm water with a life jacket on.

One piece of advice for aspiring mountaineers
Mountaineering is not about learning how to suffer. It’s about learning how to not suffer.