Nick Kelley

“Nick grew up just outside of Portland, Maine, where he developed a deep love for the outdoors skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain and spending summers hiking and camping in Baxter State Park and the White Mountains. He went on to pursue this passion academically, earning a degree in Adventure Leadership from Lyndon State College in Vermont.Nick has guided across a wide range of landscapes, including Denali National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Mount Shasta, the Trinity Alps Wilderness, Olympic National Park, and Exit Glacier in Seward, Alaska. He has also guided on the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers in Maine and led ice climbing trips in New Hampshire.

Although he now lives on the West Coast full-time, Nick learned to climb and backcountry ski in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, giving him a lasting appreciation and connection to the Northeast. When he’s not guiding, you can find him in Leavenworth, Washington, cooking good food with his wife and friends and planning his next skiing, climbing, biking, or paddling adventure.

Take 5 with the Guide

What was your first mountain?
Mt Katahdin, Maine

What’s always in your snack bag
Gummy Candy

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not guiding?
Skiing, Biking, Climbing, Cooking, Paddling

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

One piece of advice for aspiring mountaineers
Start slow and find climbing partners who can communicate well.