We feel strongly that training as well as experience are key to a guide's development as a professional. We value the expertise that years of climbing and mountaineering has brought to our guiding but we also recognize that training and evaluation by peers are necessary before one can truly be called a "professional". Therefore we require our guides to show a commitment to their profession by being involved in the American Mountain Guide's Association courses and exams.
Our full lead guides are certified by the American Mountain Guides Association and our assistant guides are required to have taken an AMGA guides course and to have served a lengthy and rigorous apprenticeship under direct supervision of lead guides. We devote a significant portion of our gross each year to the training and professional development of our guides. This training includes sending our assistant guides to AMGA guide training courses, attending biannual medical training courses to maintain certificates, and being involved in the AMGA training process as examiners and instructors. If you compare our level of training and professionalism to other guide services we are confident that you will find our standards to be among the best.
The Sierra Mountain Center, LLC is a limited liability company owned by Robert "SP" Parker and
Todd Vogel who together have over 40 years of full time professional mountain guiding experience. New Zealand born SP is certified in Rock, Ski and Alpine disciplines (IFMGA certified) and has served as a recent director of the AMGA. Todd is an AMGA certified rock guide, a certified alpine guide, and a ski guide for over 20 years; a Grouse Mountain summiteer, a past board member of the American Mountain Guide's Association and a leader in the AMGA accreditation and Top Rope Instructor programs.
In addition to the owners, SMC is proud to be employing the talents of guides who are some of the most experienced professionals in mountain guiding.
Eric Owen has worked with us since 2001 and is quickly proceeding through the AMGA training and exam process. He has at this point completed all the courses and is certified in the rock discipline.
Chris Simmons (Link to Chris Bio)just graduated from Western Washington University with a unique degree program that recognizes his progress through the AMGA program and is a very experience alpine guide.
Emily Cooley joined us spring 2007 as our office manager and program director. She looks forward to helping answer your questions about the Sierra and all the SMC offerings.
Todd Calfee works as a hiking guide and with years of wandering the range knows the Sierra Nevada better than just about anyone. |
