Meet Our Guides
Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School is a company of professional guides. Since our inception in 1993, we have required formal training and evaluation of all our guides simply because it was the right thing to do. Our guiding standards are among the best in the industry and represent the highest standards in Maine. Our guides are friendly, dedicated professionals whose talents lie in their technical expertise, climbing ability and their skill as educators. The quality of our guides is what makes Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School your best source for climbing instruction.
Our guides are veteran climbers with several years of diverse climbing experience. By requiring in specialized guide education courses we maximize competency and efficiency and greatly reduce risk. Our greater efficiency allows more time to teach you important skills, and to provide you with more climbing opportunities without feeling rushed. All are also certified at or above the Wilderness First Responder level of medical care. Our internal training keeps everyone up on the latest techniques and current on the best local practices.
We are committed to providing you with the best climbing experience possible. It is our goal to provide a supportive climbing environment that maximizes your time and minimizes your risk. Our mission steers us to continually develop cutting edge ideas and techniques that improve the delivery of our instruction. Many of these ideas have become the foundation both the AMGA and PCIA training programs. We believe that the guiding art requires extensive climbing experience and a multi-faceted educational background. We take our philosophy to heart and work to promote responsible climbing and wilderness use as well as responsible guiding on both a local and national level. We are proud to be participating in the development of professional standards that other guide services can only aspire to. Simply put, we are attentive to the details.
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Jon Tierney |
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Jon is certified internationally by the UIAGM/IFMGA and examined and certified at the international standard by the AMGA as a Rock Guide, an Alpine Guide, and a Ski Mountaineering Guide. Certification in each discipline requires passing a rigorous multi-day peer assessment exam. Currently there are less than 80 American IFMGA guides. Jon began climbing as a teenager in the mid 70's and came to Maine in 1982 and fell in love with the pink granite of Acadia. In 1984 he co-founded Maine Bound, the University of Maine outdoor program which he directed until 2001. During the summers in the late eighties and early nineties Jon traveled west to work for the National Park Service as a backcountry climbing ranger and paramedic. In 1993 he gave up the annual migration westward to established Acadia Mountain Guides as a summer guide service serving Acadia National Park. In 2001 Acadia Mountain Guides became a year round guide service offering not only rock climbing instruction by also ice climbing and mountaineering. With a passion for rock, snow, and ice, Jon's accomplishments as a climber and guide include over 70 high altitude peaks as well as difficult first ascent rock and ice climbs and hundreds of multi-pitch rock and alpine routes around the world.
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Silas Rossi |
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| Silas was first introduced to climbing by IFMGA guide Jon Tierney while a student at the University of Maine studying Parks, Recreation and Tourism in the late 90's. After getting a start leading student trips, Silas joined the Acadia Mountain Guides team in 2001. In those early days of climbing on the dramatic seaside cliffs of Acadia National Park, Silas realized his passion for outdoor adventure and has been making a living as a mountain guide ever since. Silas splits his guiding year between summer alpine rock in the Tetons and winters full of ice climbing and teaching avalanche courses in New Hampshire. Fall and spring are a mix of international destination trips (guiding and personal), teaching credit rock courses at Plymouth State University, and guiding in Acadia National Park and the Gunk’s. “My goal is to provide adventurous people with new life experiences,” he says, “helping them push their limits both mentally and physically while effectively managing potential hazards. While there is inherent risk involved in climbing, a professional guide can minimize that risk while providing an environment that is conducive to learning.” In addition to extensive guiding throughout New England, Silas has also guided in many of the rock and ice climbing areas throughout the US, and several high altitude peaks in Ecuador. He has led mountaineering trips in the Northern Cascades, guided alpine rock in the High Sierra and Teton’s, as well as numerous trips to Red Rocks, NV. In 2009, he guided a successful summit of Carstenz Pyramid in New Guinea (one of the “7 summits”), and many successful trips on The Grand Teton. In addition to these venues, Silas has explored the Canadian Rockies and the Central Alaska Range in search of some of the world’s best ice climbing, as well as scoured Alaska’s Chugach and Roger’s Pass, British Columbia for trackless powder. Guiding Credentials
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Peter Doucette |
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Climbing is a thread that runs through many aspects of Peter's life, personal and professional. For Peter, good days out in the mountains, working or playing, are difficult to beat. Peter is passionate about moving well in the mountains, long alpine routes, elegant ski lines and being out in the weather. The cumulative effects of shorter climbs and single pitch discoveries have sharpened his abilities and made the big days more enjoyable. Recent ascents in Alaska, like Mount Foraker’s Fin Wall and the Moonflower Buttress on Mount Hunter opened his eyes to movement strategies in big terrain. Professionalism as a guide has been important to Peter since he began his career working as a mountaineering instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School in 1998. Peter attended the University of Maine where he met and worked with IFMGA guide Jon Tierney. Beginning in 2001, Peter spent several seasons working in Acadia for Acadia Mountain Guides and now works occasionally doing specialty guiding for AMG. Peter understood early on that there were many ways to approach the challenges inherent in mountainous terrain. Solid risk management means continually pursuing the best information and broadest skill set. These are the tools that allow him to climb and work in wild environments and terrain all over the world with confidence and efficiency. Informed climbing and guiding with the comfort, education, and objectives of his clients in mind give shape to the many forms that a guided day can take. With the highest level of training and certification available, Peter is better able to set clients up for success while maximizing the margin of safety. Many clients have said he has made challenging climbs far more accessible than they ever imagined. There are a variety of techniques that can make your climbing objectives more enjoyable and attainable. Guiding Credentials
Medical and Rescue Credentials - WMA Wilderness First Responder Education - B.S. Secondary Education
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Dick Chasse |
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Dick wanted to be a mountain guide since he was a teenager, after taking a leadership role in his high school outing club and job shadowing at a university outdoor program. A seminal ice climbing experience in Maine’s Grafton Notch sealed the deal, Dick became a man of the mountains. After developing as a climbing instructor for the University of Maine Outdoor Program, Dick began guiding for Acadia Mountain Guides in 1998. Dick is a lifelong Mainer, hailing from the Waterville area. He now calls the coast and the Blue Hill peninsula home. He is not just a great guide, but also a well rounded human being. Dick grew up sailing and worked for many years on boats (not only can he climb any mast and tie any knot, he can also run a crane). Music has always been a large part of his life. He played violin for eleven years, and now studies classical and flamenco guitar. He and his wife built their own home, and have worked for many years to develop their gardens and grounds to the point where they are raising much of their own food. If you are lucky enough to be on one of his multi day back country trips, you will be eating very well. Dick has guided and climbed throughout the US and in South America. Favorite routes include Wafer Step in Acadia National Park and Barren’s Direct on Katahdin in Maine, North Ridge Mt. Baker in Washington, Vulcan Cayambe in Ecuador, Damnation Gulley on Mt Washington in New Hampshire, and Dark Shadows in Red Rocks Nevada. Embracing his Franco-American roots, Dick’s goals for the coming year include expanding Acadia Mountain Guide’s offerings in Quebec, especially in the Parc de la Gaspesie and surrounding area. Dick’s specialty is the attention he devotes to his clients; he truly loves guiding. “I constantly find myself thinking about how to make the next experience better for my clients. I consider it an honor to take people out to the cliffs and mountains,” he says. “The wonderful secret of guiding is that I learn as much from my clients as they learn from me.” Guiding Credentials
Medical Credentials
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Ian Kirk |
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Ian started climbing at the age of twelve when his mother begged some local climbers to get him out of her hair for the afternoon. Being bound to an area with little rock, it wasn't until college that he began to venture outside to climb, but he certainly didn't let studying get in the way of his climbing. Since graduating high school in 2002 he has climbed rock, ice, and snow in over a dozen states, Mexico, Canada, Italy, and New Zealand. While attending the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Ian led trips for the Outdoors Program in rock and ice terrain, mountaineering, white water kayaking, backpacking, and caving. Now passionately pursuing a career in mountain guiding and instruction, Ian has been working for AMGCS since 2008, and considers Acadia one of his favorite places to climb. Others include Eldorado Canyon, CO, Potrero Chico, MX, Lake Willoughby, VT, and Mt. Cook National Park, NZ. Guiding Credentials
Education - B. S. in Outdoor Education |
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Jeremy Kupferman |
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Born and raised in Thorndike, Maine, Jeremy started working for AMGCS in 2008. Looking for a job that would allow for more time to climb, he worked as our retail director for Alpenglow Adventure Sports, but soon realized that he had a nack for instruction. Having taken the PCIA Single Pitch Instructor Course in 2009, Jeremy has been guiding in Acadia since. Jeremy fell in love with climbing in 2003 while attending College of the Atlantic when his best friend introduced him to the sport. Reveling in the challange and self-discovery that each climb introduces, he shares his enthusiasm with every client and group that works with him. Having recently been introduced to ice climbing, he's taken to the sport with unabashed zeal. Having recently traveled across the country in search of new climbing adventure, his favorite places to climb include Rock Town, GA, Bishop, CA, and Acadia National Park, ME. Guiding Credentials
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Kathleen Murphy |
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Kathleen's interest in climbing began during a National Outdoor Leadership School semester course in 2008. Initially it was her interest in the technical set ups and rope management that motivated her to become more involved with climbing and the community surrounding it. Kathleen went on to continue her education at Saint Michael’s College where she participated in the Wilderness program. A quick study, she prgressed quickly through the leadership program to become a lead instructor in rock and ice climbing. Kathleen joined the Acadia Mountain Guides team as an intern in 2010 and views climbing as a great way to remain healthy and meet people She graduated this past year and is now looking to further her career as a guide. Kathleen has climbed extensively in the northeast although her experience and love for the sport has allowed her to travel as far away as Joshua tree in California. Later this year she will embark on a climbing road trip across the country in an effort to raise money to support Multiple Sclerosis research. Guiding Credentials
Medical and Rescue Credentials - Wilderness First Responder Education - B. A. in English and Gender Studies |
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Diana Grijalvi |
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Diana fell in love with rock climbing ten years ago in New Mexico when she took a climbing class in college. She enjoys the wild places it brings her to and the associated community, sense of freedom and lifestyle that can go along with it. Following college, Diana worked in an electronics lab and soon realized her calling to work outside and found a job in experiential education that allowed allowed her to work outdoors and still have plenty of time to travel and climb. For the past three years she has spent her winters climbing in beautiful places, spring and falls leading school trips in various national and state parks in California, and summers guiding in gorgeous Acadia National Park.
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Kyle Pike |
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Kyle is a native of New Hampshire where he spent his childhood hiking and camping in the White Mountains with friends and family. The cliffs and mountains that he spent his time around always impressed him. He was curious what it felt like to stand on top of Mount Washington in the winter or to be at the bottom of Cannon Cliff looking up at the old man. When he decided to pursue a degree in adventure education the vertical world opened up to him during his time at Green Mountain College. The technical rope work and array of gear interested him as much as the act of climbing; and between friends, courses and trips he was able to become a competent and confident climber. As a teaching assistant at Green Mountain College, Kyle climbs year round and eagerly shares his experience with others. Kyle recently got back from the Middle East where he spent the winter guiding in Oman where he was able to climb areas that people haven’t been for hundreds of years and explore a vastly foreign landscape. He joined Acadia Mountain Guides as an intern in 2009 and has returned to guide for the past three seasons. Kyle enjoys teaching climbing and techniques to all leaves and is looking forward to sharing some time at the cliff with you. Guiding Credentials
Medical and Rescue Credentials - Wilderness First Responder |
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Adam Butterfield |
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Adam is a prime example of AMGCS' ability to develop climbers from beginners to trained professionals. Growing up climbing on plastic during his early years in highschool at a local gym in Connecticut, Adam recognized the beauty of climbing and the loving community around it. From then on climbing was in his soul.
Education - B.A. in Philosophy and Religion |
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Alex Scuterud |
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Alex's first experience climbing was short and pointy. As a young boy he climbed about three feet and fell, landing on a pointy rock and, in a fit of tears, promised he would never climb again. Years later, after much convincing he tried climbing again at a gym in Stamford CT and discovered his love of climbing. Since then Alex has pursued the outdoors with a passion beginning with attending Outward Bound's Rocks XT course in North Carolina. Alex graduated from SUNY Adirondack where he served as a trip leader and president of the SUNY Adirondack ROCX club. Following university life, he moved to Maine to pursue an internship with Acadia Mountain Guides. Throughout his seven year climbing career he has climbed in many places including: New River Gorge, The Grand Canyon, Red Rocks, Adirondack mountains, Acadia National Park, Rumney New Hampshire and North Carolina. Alex is one who takes his work very seriously but you would never know it because he believes life should be fun and is often laughing around every corner. Guiding Credentials
Education - B.A. in Adventure Sports Leadership and Management
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Jesse Tang-Kong |
Originally from Massachusetts, Jesse has lived in Maine for the past several years. He is a graduate of the University of Maine with a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Rock climbing began as a hobby for Jesse in high school grew into an obsession in recent years. Jesse honed his skills on the local granite bluffs of central and coastal Maine and has recently tested his prowess at climbing meccas across the country such as the New River Gorge, Cochise Stronghold, Red Rocks, and even El Potrero Chico in Mexico. Guiding Credentials
Education - B.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism |
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Ryan Campbell |
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Ryan grew up in Denver, Colorado but did not find his passion for rock climbing until attendingDixie State College in southern Utah. He began guiding in 2004 for the Auraria Campus Outdoor Adventure program in Denver, CO that serves the three institutions on that campus (Metropolitan State College of Denver, University of Colorado Denver, and the Community College of Denver). After completing his BA at Metro in Tourism Operations he continued on to pursue his Masters degree from UCD in their Information and Learning Technology program and continued working with the Adventure program as a graduate assistant to the director. Ryan is now an instructor for the Recreation Professions department at Metro State. Ryan's first love is rock climbing, but has also guided ice climbing and canyoneering multi-day trips. From learning to climb in local indoor gyms, Ryan now sets his sights on longer and longer trad routes. With Colorado's front range in his back yard, he has honed his rock skills on some of the most classic lines in the western US; from Eldorado Canyon, to the South Platte, Flatirons, Boulder Canyon, and frequent trips to the Utah desert. Ryan spent 3 years working the sea cliffs in Acadia and now works per diem for Acadia Mountain Guides in the Colorado Front Range and other western areas. Guiding Credentials
Medical Credentials - EMT Certified Education
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ELIZABETH WILDER Libby is a native of central Maine and a third generation Maine Guide. She instructs top rope climbs and group programs. From 2001 through 2009 she was the operations director for the climbing school and outdoor retail store where she developed and managed websites along with managing and developing new programs and services for the guiding and retail operations. Libby Her first climbing experiences were as a child on the polished rocks of CarderRock, MD. More recently, Libby has traveled and climbed in New England, The Gunks, Quebec, Ecuador, Minnesota, Red Rocks, Rocky Mountain National Park, Thailand, Joshua Tree, Yosemite, and in several areas in the southeastern U.S. Elizabeth has a B.S. in Botany. She is a former high school physics and chemistry teacher who has also run an adventure based alternative education program for at-risk high schoolers. Libby also instructed rock and ice climbing for the University of Maine. She is an ICU nurse and has been accepted into a CRNA Master's program in fall 2012. When she is not climbing, Libby enjoys playing the violin and working on her house she built in central Maine. And if you are looking for great bouldering, she has it in her backyard. Read more about her in the Boston Globe. Guiding Credentials
Medical Credentials
Education
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Craig Luebben |
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Craig began instructing and guiding in 1981. Earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he was responsible for inventing Big Bros to protect off-widths cracks, and conducting research that revolutionized the placement of ice screws and greatly improved their safety. An editor and prolific contributor of stories, photographs, and technical tips to Climbing and Rock and Ice magazines, the climbing world owes Craig a debt of thanks for his contributions. Tragically, Craig passed from this life August 9, 2009 while climbing in the North Cascades when he was struck by ice and debris. He is greatly missed.
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