Don Nguyen

Born in Oklahoma City’s Little Saigon to parents who were refugees of the Vietnam War, Don grew up far from mountains but with a curiosity for the outdoors. That pull eventually led him west to the Colorado Rockies to study mountain guiding, and then to the Pacific Northwest, where he began guiding on Mt. Rainier and Mt. Shasta. Since then, Don has built a career leading climbs on some of the world’s most iconic peaks, including Denali and Aconcagua since 2019.

Guiding, for Don, is more than a profession. He sees it a a way to share the universal human journey of exploration, and pilgrimage into wild places. Known for his deep care for the climbers he works with, he brings patience, humor, and perspective to every expedition from first timer’s trips to Mount Baker to the seasoned mountaineer on Denali.

When he isn’t leading our Alpine Ascents trips, Don enjoys personal mountaineering, ice and rock climbing, backpacking, hunting, and traveling with his partner, Emily. He’s also known for embracing the extremes, and joined the 2015 season of the Reality TV show “Naked and Afraid” as a contestant in Namibia.

Take 5 with the Guide

Favorite childhood breakfast cereal
Reese’s crunch puffs

When you’re not guiding?
I hike and whittle and ski, I take time to read book and take classes on things not related to climbing.

One piece of advice for aspiring mountaineers
It’s going to be like middle school. There’s not one way to be or do things, keep your chin up and don’t be discouraged.

In another life I’d…
I’d like to be a biologist.

What’s always in your snack bag?
Kendal Mint Cake