Meet the Guides
Hiking Guides | Rock Climbing Guides
Hiking Guide Bios
Andrew
Andrew has been a Yosemite resident and park employee since 2014 and has been a YMS Hiking Guide since 2018. He is a seasoned backpacker, having well over a hundred nights out in Yosemite both solo and with groups, and has guided backpacking trips over a week-long for YMS. Andrew is a naturalist and loves to teach about Yosemite’s natural resources, ecology, geology, and history. He specializes in equipping people with the necessary skills to navigate the wilderness safely while leaving a minimal footprint on this beautiful National Park. Andrew has volunteered for the National Park Service Wilderness Department in the winter where he skied Yosemite’s backcountry ski trails making sure the trail blazes and signage were in-tact, issuing Wilderness Permits, and assisting with missing person searches. Andrew holds a current Wilderness First Responder since 2015, is a Leave No Trace Trainer, and is an NAI Certified Interpretive Guide.
Connor
Connor has been living, working, and exploring the Yosemite Wilderness since 2017 and has been a YMS Hiking Guide since 2021. As a former competitive swim team and climbing team coach, he loves to teach and share his knowledge and passion with others. Some things Connor likes to teach in his guided hikes are flora and fauna identification as well as skills to help you explore the outdoors in a safer way, while minimizing your footprint on beautiful Yosemite. He loves to get people off-trail and share some of the unique Yosemite backcountry. Connor has held a Wilderness First Responder certification since 2016, is a Leave No Trace Trainer, and is an NAI Certified Interpretive Guide.
Tammy
Tammy started hiking in the Los Padres National Forest and Santa Monica Mountains in Southern California over 10 years ago and has been doing it voraciously ever since. Before coming to Yosemite, she was a hiking guide for a Wellness Retreat Center in Malibu where she helped people achieve their fitness goals while finding peace and balance in nature. She loves sharing her passion of the outdoors (especially botany and wildlife) with anyone who wants to listen. In her free time, she likes to write about health topics, pan for gold, read, swim, practice photography, climb, hike, backpack, and learn new things. She has lived and worked in Yosemite since 2021 and has been a YMS hiking guide since 2022. She holds a current Wilderness First Responder, is a Leave No Trace Trainer, and is an NAI Certified Interpretive Guide.
Bella
Bella has been working as a hiking and backpacking guide for YMS since 2023. She spent her last two seasons guiding hiking and backpacking for Lasting Adventures. Bella grew up in Nevada City and started backpacking in the Sierras when she was 7 years old. She enjoys climbing in her free time. She has a bachelor’s in Environmental Studies-Chemistry from Reed College in Oregon, a Wilderness First Responder, is Leave No Trace Aware, and is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation.
Ben
Ben has been working as a hiking guide for YMS since 2023. He previously guided hiking and backpacking for Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides. He is originally from Arizona but moved around a lot growing up. Ben was in the United States Marine Corps from 2006-2010. He enjoys climbing, woodworking, and photography in his free time. Ben has a bachelor’s in Media and Film from Northern Arizona University, and a master’s in Documentary Film Making from Chapman University. He has a Wilderness First Responder, is Leave No Trace Aware, and is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation
Rock Climbing Guide Bios
Josh
Josh has been a Yosemite Mountaineering School climbing guide since 1993. He is a Certified AMGA Rock Guide, Certified PSIA Nordic Ski Instructor, Certified in Rigging for Rescue, and a Wilderness First Responder. He has more than 27 ascents of El Capitan and has completed over 70 big wall climbs including first ascent big wall expedition climbs in Greenland, Baffin Island, Antarctica, Alaska, Morocco, and Socotra Island (Yemen). Josh has many alpine ascents and ice climbs as well. He has been a member of Yosemite Search and Rescue and is a professional rigger, photographer, and videographer specializing in natural history and high angle camera rigging. He’ s also a Leave No Trace Trainer.
Nathan
Nathan has been a Yosemite Mountaineering School climbing guide since 2007. He is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and has completed the AMGA Alpine Guide and AMGA Ski Guide Courses. Nathan is a former Pacific Crest Outward Bound School Instructor, avid rock climber, backcountry skier, and alpine climber on three continents. He loves pursuing adventure and sharing outdoor education with others. He has also been a Yosemite Cross-Country ski guide and holds an American Avalanche Institute Certification Level I & II. Nathan is a Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Trainer.
Mark
Mark has been guiding climbing for the Yosemite Mountaineering School since 2009. He’s an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, and SPI Assistant Provider. Mark has been climbing since 1998 and has 13 El Cap ascents. He has guided in Colorado, Alaska, Mexico, and Nepal. Mark is a strong believer in “living the dream” and following your passions whatever they may be. He currently guides in El Potrero Chico in Mexico in the winter. Mark also has an EMT Certification, a Leave No Trace Trainer Certification, and a B.A. in Recreation and Environmental Studies.
Miranda
Miranda has been living, working, and climbing in Yosemite National Park since 2006 and is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide. She is a big wall climber and has worked as a guide for an international outdoor recreation company based in China. She has traveled and climbed extensively throughout the United States, Asia, Spain, South and Central America. She earned a B.A. in International Studies with a focus in Latin America and the Spanish Language. Miranda loves the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada and shares her knowledge and enthusiasm for the outdoors with her clients. Miranda is a Wilderness First Responder and a Leave No Trace Trainer.
Josh
Josh is a certified AMGA Rock Guide and has been a Yosemite Mountaineering School guide since 2006. His accomplishments include 30+ ascents of both El Capitan and Half Dome, and more than 100 big wall ascents. Josh has climbed both The Nose and the Salathe Wall on El Capitan together in a single day. He has solo day ascents of The Nose on El Cap in 19 hours and 30 minutes and the Regular N.W. Face of Half dome in 6 hours. He has day link ups of Half Dome and El Cap 17 hours and 20 minutes. Josh has extensive alpine experience including ascents of Aconcagua, Fitz Roy, first ascent big wall free climbs, and first solo link ups in Patagonia’s Fitz Roy range. Josh has also climbed and trekked in many of the world’s mountain ranges including the Himalayas, the Andes, the Atlas, the Pyrenees, the Sierra, and the Rockies. His certifications include a B.S. in Natural Resources Management, Certified Interpretive Guide through National Association of Interpretation, is a Wilderness First Responder, and a Leave No Trace Trainer.
Nick
Nick has been guiding since 2012 across North America and for the Yosemite Mountaineering School since 2019. He is an AMGA Certified Rock and Ski Guide, Leave No Trace Master Educator, AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide, Avalanche Level 3 Certified, and a Wilderness First Responder. Nick spends winters ski guiding in Jackson Hole and climbs in the desert during his time off. He has climbed over 600 days in Indian Creek including the establishment of many new routes. His climbing resume includes numerous free ascents of 5.13 cracks, onsighting up to 5.12+ trad, and many one-day ascents of El Capitan. He has a BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Amber
Amber has been guiding for the Yosemite Mountaineering School since 2022. Since 2016 she has guided alpine rock and glacier mountaineering objectives in Washington’s North Cascades, as well as crack climbs in the Utah desert. During the winter months she teaches avalanche education courses in Grand Teton National Park. Amber is an AMGA Apprentice Rock, Alpine, and Ski Guide as well as a Single Pitch Instructor. She is also an Avalanche AIARE Course Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and Leave No Trace Trainer. Amber graduated with a degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and wrote her undergraduate thesis on what she calls “Feminist Outdoor Leadership: A guide to facilitation strategies for inclusion and participant empowerment in outdoor adventure.” She looks forward to exploring the mountains with you!
Paul
Paul began guiding in 1996 and is an IFMGA Certified American Mountain Guide with extensive international guiding experience. As an El Capitan guide, he has many one-day ascents of El Cap to his name. He is a former Yosemite Search and Rescue team member, a Denali Lead Guide (12 summits), a Lead Guide on Rainier (10 summits in 10 attempts while guiding in 2018), and a Lead Guide on Aconcogua and Carstensz Pyramid. Paul works for the U.S. Antarctic Program as a mountaineer and Search and Rescue team member. He’s a graduate of the Search and Rescue Institute of New Zealand (SARINZ) in vertical rescue training. Has guided and climbed in Alaska, India, Patagonia, Thailand, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada, and Antarctica with significant Antarctic traverse experience (4000+ miles). Paul currently serves as an elected member of the Board of Directors for the American Mountain Guide's Association. He holds Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Trainer Certifications, as well as being an AMGA certified Rock, Alpine, and Ski guide.
Greg
Greg is a Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide. He has worked as a Yosemite Mountaineering School guide since 2011 with multiple guided ascents of El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, and other big walls throughout Yosemite. Greg spends his free time backpacking, skiing, and rock climbing. Greg also enjoys climbing alpine peaks in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. He has a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Education from the University of New Hampshire, is a graduate from the National Outdoor Leadership School, and has guided rock climbing and backpacking in New England, North Carolina, Washington, and Yosemite. He holds a Leave No Trace Trainer Certification.
James
Having been born and raised in Alaska, James has a great appreciation for the outdoors. He has been guiding since 2011 in Alaska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California and has been guiding for the Yosemite Mountaineering School since 2018. His favorite type of climbing is long alpine rock objectives. In the off season he can be found traveling around the US guiding rock and ice climbing, and spending his personal time in the mountains. James is an AMGA Assistant Rock Guide, Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Trainer.
Camden
Camden has been rock climbing since 2001 and has been a YMS guide since 2017. He is originally from South Carolina and quit his job as a software developer in 2014 to hit the road and enjoy rock climbing around the US as well as the world. Camden enjoys climbing on Yosemite's big walls like El
Capitan, but also enjoys other types of climbing like sport climbing, bouldering, and mountaineering. He has climbed both the Salathe Wall and The Nose on El Capitan together in a single day. He has also climbed Half Dome and El Capitan in the same day. Camden is technically gifted with vast amounts of Yosemite climbing experience. He is soft spoken, patient, and enjoys helping others realize and achieve their climbing goals. Camden is a member of Yosemite Search and Rescue and has at least one speed record on El Capitan. He is a Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Trainer.
Jake
Jake has been guiding since 2015 and has been guiding climbing for the Yosemite Mountaineering School since 2022. He has worked in the High Sierra, Joshua Tree, Yosemite, and as far as Vietnam and China. Prior to joining YMS, Jake worked for the Yosemite Search and Rescue team and Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol. Jake’s experience with big wall climbs in Yosemite Valley include multiple routes on El Capitan, Half Dome, Mount Watkins, Leaning Tower, and Washington Column. He has also climbed many free routes on the granite domes of Tuolumne Meadows. Sport and trad climbing route accomplishments extend into the 5.13 range. Jake loves teaching and sharing his passion for rock climbing with his clients. He is a Wilderness EMT, Leave No Trace Trainer, and has passed the AMGA Advanced Rock Guide Course.
Benton
Benton is a Certified AMGA Rock Guide and Wilderness First Responder with a degree in Adventure Education. He has been guiding for the Yosemite Mountaineering School since 2022. Originally from Pennsylvania, Benton has been climbing since 2015 and has climbed all over the country as well as in Israel. He has hiked the Appalachian Trail as well as the Pacific Crest trail and has guided in areas including Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park, and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. His climbing resume includes El Capitan routes and other big walls, as well as many free climbing routes. His passion is finding the balance between adventure and challenge, and mentoring people with climbing by sharing the joy that it can bring.
Drew
Drew is an AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide and Certified Single Pitch Instructor. He has been guiding for the Yosemite Mountaineering School since 2022. He has a bachelor’s degree in Physics as well as a Wilderness First Responder. Prior to guiding in Yosemite, Drew was a climbing guide and instructor in Acadia National Park, Maine. He has spent a lot of time climbing long routes in the Red Rocks (Nevada), Cochise Stronghold (Arizona), Wind River Range (Wyoming), Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado), Black Canyon of Gunnison (Colorado), and El Dorado Canyon (Colorado). Drew has climbed multiple big wall routes in Yosemite including routes on El Capitan. Drew is a welcoming and patient guide that enjoys sharing safety information with Yosemite National Park visitors.
Chase
Chase is an AMGA Apprentice Rock guide, Wilderness First Responder, and a Leave No Trace Master Educator. He’s been guiding for the Yosemite Mountaineering School since 2022. He has a Bachelor of Science degree focused on Therapeutic Recreation and has worked as an adaptive climbing guide, wilderness therapy leader, and navigation and primitive skills instructor. Chase came to Yosemite in 2018 and has climbed some of Yosemite’s big walls, including El Capitan. He enjoys moving over stone on long classic free climbs in Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and the High Sierra. During the winters Chase can be found climbing adventure routes in the San Juans of Colorado and desert towers in Southwest Utah.
Glen
Glen is an AMGA certified rock guide who has passed the AMGA Advanced Alpine Guide Course and Aspirant Exam. He has been guiding since 2002, and has guided and climbed extensively around the world, including in the Himalayas, Andes, Southern Alps of New Zealand, Canadian Rockies, Cascades, Rockies of the United States, Sierra Madre of Mexico, and Sierra Nevada. Significant guiding has included AmaDablam, Kyajo Ri, Kangchung Shar, and dozens of 20,000ft peaks in Nepal. In North America Glen has guided many Grade IV and V rock and alpine routes such as the Becky-Chouinard in the Bugaboos, North Face of Mt. Shuksan in the Cascades, North Ridge of Mt. Stuart in the Enchantments, and Resolution Arete in Red Rocks. He has also guided ice and mixed climbing in and around Ouray, CO. Glen has been climbing in Yosemite since 2007 and has experience on most of the major features including El Cap, Half Dome, Leaning Tower, Washington Column, and others. He is a Leave No Trace Master Educator and a Wilderness First Responder with a Master’s in Park, Recreation, and Tourism Management from Lincoln University in New Zealand. In his free-time Glen runs a non-profit in Nepal with Karma Gelyjen Sherpa that provides training to Nepalese mountain guides.
Lance
Lance grew up climbing and mountaineering in the North Cascades where he climbed and guided Mt. Rainier 26 times as well as many other. He has also climbed long, committing alpine rock and ice routes during multiple trips to Alaska, Patagonia, and Canada. As a dedicated big wall climber, Lance has a climbed El Capitan more than 30 times with multiple El Cap speed records. Familiar with the Yosemite landscape, he has climbed over 200 other Yosemite rock climbs. He has a B.S. in Earth and Space Sciences and has contributed to many scientific field studies on the vertical walls of Yosemite National Park. Lance is also able to combine his experience as a Yosemite Search and Rescue Technician, and volunteer Wilderness Patrol Ranger into local decision making that helps him support his clients as a local, professional climbing guide. Lance is an AMGA Apprentice guide, Wilderness First Responder, has completed level 1 & 2 avalanche courses, Advanced Technical Ropes course for rescue, Swiftwater & Flood Rescue Technician, and is a Leave No Trace Trainer.