About us

CO-OWNER
AIARE Level III, AIARE Instructor, AMGA Alpine Guides Course, Ski Guides, B.S. Exercise Physiology

Chris has lived and climbed in the Mt. Shasta area since 1995. As a climber and guide he is inspired by the beauty and scale of Mt. Shasta. “The greatest joy of my role at SMG is the remarkable people I get to meet, both our climbers and our guides, I am surrounded by amazing people doing amazing things.” With hundreds of summits and countless ski descents, no one has more experience on Mt. Shasta. In 2003 he and Jenn became owners of SMG. Going strong for 28 seasons and over 180 summits on the mountain, Chris is still immeasurably stoked for the next powder day and sharing it with his family. Chris’ role is in the general operations and administrative duties of Shasta Mountain Guides and you’ll often find him on the mountain checking on conditions.

CO-OWNER
EMT, WFR, AIARE -III, LNT, BA French Language/English Lit.

Jenn, a California native, began climbing in the early 90’s in the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite Valley with her brother. Her love of the mountains led her to start guiding on Mt. Shasta in 1998, she has summited over 50 times. In 2003 she and Chris became owners of SMG, and is involved in the daily operations of the company. “I am drawn to the Mountains by the joy, exhilaration and serenity I experience in wild terrain. Sharing that experience with others is why I started guiding.”

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS/ LEAD GUIDE
AIARE I-II, Avalanche Rescue; WEMT, NREMT; AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course, AMGA Rock Guide Course, AMGA Alpine Guide Course; High-Angle Rescue Technician; LNT Master Educator; BA French Lit, BS Environmental Education, MS Environmental Studies

Originally from the Midwest, Michael has been guiding since 2012, and joined the SMG team in 2019. Michael served 6 years in the United States Army including deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. Michael previously worked as a climbing ranger intern at North Cascades National Park, a snow ranger at Mount Rainier National Park, and a mountain rescue technician at Sequoia National Park. A fun fact is Michael grew up in a family of circus magicians in Minnesota! Michael is currently pursuing his M.D. in emergency medicine at the University of Oregon with the goal of becoming an expedition/wilderness medicine doctor.

SENIOR GUIDE - SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
AIARE Level I-III, AIARE Pro 1 & 2 , AIARE Instructor; WFR, LNT, AMGA Ski & Ski Mountaineering Guides Courses

Rich has 25 years of experience guiding clients to mountain peaks around the world. His specialties include Skiing, Climbing, and Avalanche Education. Rich can be found leading trips from the Alps, Antarctica, Japan, Alaska, to South America, and is a true professional in everything he does. He facilitates SMG’s Guide Training, Special Events and Avalanche Seminars. Rich has accumulated close to 150 summits of Mt. Shasta, and is fired up for many more.

SENIOR GUIDE
Avalanche: AIARE I-II, National Avalanche School, AAI Pro 1; OEC, EMT; AMGA Alpine Skills; LNT; BA Sociology/Anthropology

Katie is a native Vermonter, but moved out west to pursue a career in the outdoor industry. Growing up around the ski industry Katie has always had a strong passion for the mountains. After college she settled in Lake Tahoe, CA where she ski patrolled for 10 years at Kirkwood Resort. This past season Katie moved to Colorado to learn about a new mountain range and a continental snowpack, getting a job as an advanced ski patroller at Crested Butte.

Wanting to combine her passion for the outdoors and climbing mountains with her love of working with and teaching people she decided to try out mountain guiding to compliment her winter patrolling work. Katie is incredibly passionate about the outdoors in her personal life, but is equally motivated to teach others and help share that joy and passion for the mountains with people eager to tap into the climbing world.

LEAD GUIDE
AIARE I-II; WFR; AMGA Alpine Skills Course, AMGA SPI Certification; LNT

Tailer is based out of Lake Tahoe, CA, and also guides for Alpenglow Expeditions in the Tahoe Area. Tailer guides our mountaineering trips, glacier seminars, and our backpacking program. Tailer is also an avid snowboarder, surfer, long-distance backpacker, and rock climber, and can when not in the mountains be found at beaches from CA to Costa Rica. Tailer’s always positive attitude, and infectious enthusiasm, help make any trip with her a fun one.

SENIOR GUIDE
AIARE I-III; EMT, OEC

JC is originally from the Bay Area and spends his years guiding on Mt. Shasta and Mt. Rainier, patrolling at Squaw Valley, heli guiding in AK and traveling to developing countries searching for waves with nobody but his friends around. The first time J.C. summitted was in 2011 and was treated with a snowboard descent all the way to the car. The visits became more frequent and he started guiding in 2014. When the waves get big enough, he works on the water safety team at the Mavericks Surf contest.

GUIDE
AIARE I-II; WFR; LNT; BA Outdoor Leadership, MA Expedition Leadership

Originally from the Bay Area, Mikey is currently based out of Ashland, OR, where he recently completed his masters degree at Southern Oregon University. Mikey is passionate about helping others achieve their goals.He is a certified personal trainer, with previous experience working in gyms and running his own coaching business. Mikey is an avid backcountry skier and ski mountaineer, and has travelled overseas for adventures. Highlights include leading trekking and mountaineering groups in Croatia, and a 37 day trip in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, where he helped organize expeditions to summit Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) and Mt Karisimbi (4,507m).

GUIDE
AIARE I; WFR; LNT; BA Experiential Education & Expeditionary Learning

Ethan is from Carmel Valley, CA, and has been rock and alpine climbing for over 7 years all around the Western U.S and Canada, including California, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, and British Columbia. Ethan is a talented recreation and the natural environment teacher. He works with the Ventana Wilderness Alliance in Big Sur, leading outdoor educational trips for underserved youth and college outing clubs, and also leads projects to help maintain and build backcountry trails. An avid surfer, you will often find Ethan surfing the remote point breaks of the Central CA coast. He works with the Stevenson School in Monterey, teaching surfing and ocean natural history. Ethan is also an adjunct instructor at Prescott College, Arizona, and each year leads their expeditionary 21 day orientation for new students. “I choose to guide on Mount Shasta because it gets people outside and learning how to enjoy themselves, be safe, and create a sense of place in the mountains.”

GUIDE
AIARE I; WFR; AMGA SPI course, SPRAT Level I; BA Adventure Education

Originally from Illinois, Joey is our go-to rock climbing guide, with an impressive resume of rock climbs throughout the western USA. Joey is an adjunct instructor at Prescott College, leading their technical climbing programs, has instructed rock climbing in a variety of venues, and once worked as a Rope Access Technician inspecting and repairing windmill turbines. Joey is an avid rock climber, hiker, and mountaineer, and is a certified in SCUBA and as a USHPA Paragliding pilot.

SENIOR GUIDE
AAA Level I, CAA Pro 1; EMT, OEC; BS Geology

Originally from the flatlands of Mississippi, Nick has been climbing for over 20 years with ascents of classic rock, ice, alpine, and ski routes throughout North America. An unapologetic snowboarder, Nick was the Patrol Director at Mt Shasta Ski Park, and also works as heli-ski guide and avalanche technician in Silverton, CO and AK. Nick started his guiding career working as a raft guide in 1999, and has led trips up to Class V throughout the west since then. Nick also works as wildland firefighter EMT in the off-season. Early starts, flexibility, a positive outlook, and copious Haribo products are Nick’s tips for success in the mountains. Nick is al Mt Shasta local and guides regularly for Shasta Mountain Guides.

SENIOR GUIDE
AIARE III, AIARE I&II Instructo,r AAA Pro Trainer; WFR; AMGA Ski Guide Courses; LNT Trainer; BA Political Science UC Berkley

A CA Cascades native, David is originally from Meyers, CA. He guides all aspects of mountain travel but is most happy to lead ski or splitboard trips under blue skis in powder conditions. He is an experienced avalanche educator and teaches many AIARE courses every year. David has also guided in Argentina and Japan for SASS for numerous seasons, works as a guide and Avalanche Instructor for Tahoe Mountain School. He is a Professional Observer at the Sierra Avalanche Center and the Founder of the California Avalanche Workshop. Upon release from four years of UC imposed sea level living David migrated to higher elevations and has been working and playing in the Sierra Nevada and Cascades ever since.

SENIOR GUIDE
AAI III, NAS; OEC; AMGA Ski Guide Course; AMGA Alpine Skills Course, B.A. Environment Science & Outdoor Ed

Originally from MA and VT, Greg currently lives in the Lake Tahoe area, and is a fixture on Mount Shasta during the spring and summer Months. Greg has climbing and skiing experience throughout the lower 48 United States, AK and Europe. Greg is the Lead Avalanche Forecaster and Assistant Patrol Director at Kirkwood in the winter months, and spent several seasons with H20 Heli Guides in Alaska. Greg has the ability to assess dynamic conditions in the mountains and safely and effectively manage risk, while maximizing client reward. Greg’s adventurous spirit, ability to make difficult decisions and calm demeanor make him a solid partner in the mountains. Greg is always in the pursuit of new knowledge and experience and is eager to share that knowledge and experience with everyone around him.

SENIOR GUIDE
AIARE Level I-III, AIARE Instructor; WFR, LNT

Dane has worked extensively on Mt Shasta year round guiding ski tours, teaching AIARE avalanche courses, glacier seminars, and leading summit climbs on every major route. Dane’s been to the summit of Shasta over 200 times, often with skis. He’s also guided on Denali, where he’s served on three expeditions. Dane is an experienced skier and climber whose resume includes peaks throughout the Sierra and Cascades in Washington, Oregon, and California. Dane is an AIARE course instructor, and also guides for Three Sisters Backcountry in the winter months. He guides because to him there’s nothing better than sharing beauty and adventure with friends.

SENIOR GUIDE
AIARE I-II; WEMT; AMGA Ski Guides Course; LNT Trainer; BA Environmental Studies

Patrick grew up in the suburbs of the Silicon Valley and began venturing into the mountains during his college years at UC Santa Cruz. Casual weekend backpacking trips laid the groundwork for what would become a full-fledged passion for mountain climbing, and Patrick began his guiding career on Mt Shasta. Here, surrounded by devoted climbers and skiers, he honed his skills for both recreating and guiding in the alpine environment and eventually moved on to work on larger, more glaciated peaks like Mt Rainier and Denali. Over the last 10 years, Patrick has climbed and skied in a multitude of venues throughout the Sierra Nevada, Cascades, British Columbia, Patagonia, Alaska, and the Himalaya. Patrick splits his year working as a professional ski patroller, mountain guide, ski guide, and wilderness medicine instructor; he plans on one day becoming a physician’s assistant specializing in emergency medicine.

LEAD GUIDE - OPERATIONS ASSISTANT
AIARE I-II; WEMT, NREMT; BS Geology

Originally from Port Townsend, WA, Casey grew up in the Northwest but has lived just about everywhere west of Colorado. Casey has climbed and skied many of the Cascade volcanoes and spent many years climbing full time, including a month-long expedition to Denali where he skied many of the classic lines, including from the 20,310’ summit. Casey also works as ski patroller at Mt Shasta Ski Park, as a firefighter EMT, and as a raft guide for River Dancers. Casey believes that the most important piece of gear is PMA (Positive Mental Attitude).

SENIOR GUIDE
AAI III; CAA Pro 2; WFR; AMGA Certified Ski Guide, AMGA Certified SPI, AMGA Alpine Skills Course, AMSG Certified Heli Ski Guide; LNT

Eric is a key part of the SMG team. A true mountain professional he follows the seasons with his family and snowboard climbing and riding among the great mountain ranges. During the summer months you can find him guiding on Mt. Shasta and climbing throughout the Sierra Nevada. In the winter he heads to BC and Alaska to work as a backcountry and heli ski guide. Guiding professionally since 2007, his passion and expertise for mountaineering and backcountry snowboarding has led him to work as a guide for Shasta Mountain Guides, H20 Heli Guides in Alaska, California Alpine Guides, and Baldface Guides and Eagle Pass Heliskiing in British Columbia. Eric became the first American to attain AMGA ski guide certification on a snowboard.

LEAD GUIDE
Avalanche Level I-III; NREMT; AMGA Alpine Skills Course, AMGA Ski Guide Course; LNT Trainer; BS Natural Resources

Caleb started his outdoor recreation career path in college while working for Outward Bound, then took a 10 year hiatus from summer time guiding to battle wildland fire in the western US while working as a member of a Hotshot crew. Caleb was happy to put down the pulaski and pick up the ice ax to start guiding year round again. Caleb also guides for Alpine Ascents International on Rainier and Mt. Baker, and has worked as a ski guide for Ruby Mountain Helicopter Experience since 2014. Caleb lives in Medford, OR with his wife and dog and enjoys being part of people’s mountaineering experiences while they push themselves both physically and mentally.

GUIDE
CAA Pro 1; WFR; LNT; BS Forest Sciences

Originally from Telluride, CO, Maddie grew up playing in the San Juans, then moved to British Columbia to go to college and explore the mountains of the Great White North. Maddie is an accomplished ski mountaineer – as a Salomon sponsored athlete she competed on the Freeride World Tour. When not on Shasta, Maddie guides cat-skiing at the Cimmaron Mountain Club in CO, and each year leads backcountry skiing and yoga trips in Hakuba, Japan. Maddie has an impressive alpine and rock climbing resume, and also guides on Denali for Mountain Trip. No stranger to wild places, Maddie did Field Biology work in the forests of British Columbia, and recently worked as guide support staff for a film production in the Yukon.

GUIDE
PRO 1 Avalanche, WFR, AMGA Alpine Skills Course, AMGA Ski Guide Course, LNT, Masters in Teaching (M.A.T)

Trevor grew up in Pacific Northwest and started a career in guiding after realizing how amazing it was to teach and play in the outdoors. He has had the opportunity to guide all over the world and spends his summers spreading his guiding experience between Shasta Mountain Guides, Alpine Ascents International, as well as guiding various activities near his home in Lake Tahoe. He also works as a freelance writer, a teacher, and a Ski/Splitboard Guide. A big life goal of his is to use all of these experiences as a way to help instill an admiration for adventure, culture, nature, and empathy with all of those he encounters.

GUIDE
AIARE I, OEC; BS Philosophy

Born and raised in Mt. Shasta City, Jenna has been scrambling on the flanks of Mt. Shasta as long as she can remember. After a few years of international travel, exploring the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, and completing her B.S. in Philosophy from Portland State University, she returned to the mountain town to live her dream lifestyle. Jenna spends her winters as a ski patroller at Mt. Shasta Ski Park, is an avid backcountry skier and snowboarder, and coaches the Mt Shasta High School Ski and Snowboard team. When not on the mountain, you’ll likely find her mountain biking, or building world class mountain bike trails in the greater region. Jenna holds AIARE Level 1 and Wilderness First Responder.