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Guides in Vegas?

Original Post
Austin Baird · · SLC, Utah · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 95

I took my father-in-law up the Grand Teton two weeks ago and he caught the climbing bug. That was his first time climbing and he's interested in learning the basics. They live in Vegas and I'm in Utah, so it's not really practical for me to teach him. He's looking to take a course and probably spend a couple days climbing afterwards. Any suggestions for good guides in the Vegas area? He lives ten minutes from Red Rock.

Jack Servedio · · Raleigh, NC · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 35

Jackson Hole Mountain Guides were really good when I was out there for a conference. Basically had no time to find someone to meet up with on MP so I gave them a call. Ended up being one of the most memorable trips to RR and on extremely short notice. I got up more easy to moderate multi pitch trad routes faster than I'd ever done before out there in the span of 6 hours.

DavidTighe Tighe · · Cleveland, OH · Joined May 2014 · Points: 0

I've climbed with guides from the American Alpline Institue in Vegas several times and each time was a great experience.

Doug Foust was the lead guide there the last time I checked, and he's great all around. Based on my limited experience I'd say he's the best guide of all time. He also played pro volleyball back in the day, so he's got that going for him :)

Andy Stephen was also an excellent guide. He taught an intro to trad leading course I took recently and I got a lot out of it. Not to mention he was super friendly.

In general I've had a great experience with AAI so I'd guess all of their guides meet a high standard. I've also heard good things about Jackson Hole Mountain Guides but I haven't climbed with them personally.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

They're probably all good, but I'll second Jackson Hole Mountain Guides.

jhmg.com/adventure/red-rock…

BigB · · Red Rock, NV · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 340

you can go thru the shop ....Desert Rock Sports.
Id recommend Dan Young, most likely he'd be a good fit for your dad.

Edit: Tracy Martin is also very good

Trad Princess · · Not That Into Climbing · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 1,175

Are you looking to use someone with the proper credentials, or someone that's cheaper but doesn't have all the officials dialed in?

BigB · · Red Rock, NV · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 340

Arrrr good call matey^ have em call w0w ;)

Trad Princess · · Not That Into Climbing · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 1,175

Wow? Oh yeah, didn't think of him, but that's a great call!

Just make sure he wears the right shoes for the climb you choose.

sqwirll · · Las Vegas · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,360
DavidTighe wrote: Doug Foust was the lead guide there the last time I checked, and he's great all around. Based on my limited experience I'd say he's the best guide of all time. He also played pro volleyball back in the day, so he's got that going for him :)
You mean this guy?

Guide?

Foust
DavidTighe Tighe · · Cleveland, OH · Joined May 2014 · Points: 0

I'm sure Doug will love seeing that :)

Derek DeBruin · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,039

I'll put in another plug for Tracy Martin. Pretty sure she works through both Mountain Skills and JHMG, but not positive. You could probably get in touch with her on Facebook:

facebook.com/tracy.p.martin

BigB · · Red Rock, NV · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 340
Burcheydawwwwwwg wrote:Wow?.... Just make sure he wears the right shoes for the climb you choose.
Shoes?!? ...Hell Id be hopin for the right outfit

w0w
Andre H. · · Boulder · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 5

When looking for a guide in Vegas, be sure that they know the following:

1. How to spot a competent party

2. Proper double rope technique

3. How to find creative workarounds, if you know what I mean ;)

4. That they are the World's Best 5.10 Climber

5. That they are a "professional athlete" - whatever that means these days

6. That they are too busy to post on MP so they post on the holy grail of climbing sites (SummitPost), except when they aren't

7. That their posting history reads as though you had given a ballsack a bullhorn

8. The Uriostes

IF they don't know all of the above, or they rack alpine draws with two biners (real alpinists keep a sling and single biner to save weight), I wouldn't recommend engaging them in their services.

YMMV

Ball · · Oakridge, OR · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 70

6/8 ain't bad, am I hired?

Andrew Yasso · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 215

Hey Austin,

Hope your father-in-law finds someone to get along with and that he can learn well from. Most of the guides mentioned (Myself, Doug, Andy, Tracy) are all AMGA certified rock guides or are an exam away from finishing - if you find standardization important. All of the guides mentioned are great people and I think your father-in-law would be in great hands with any of them.

Doug, Tracy and I all own homes here and are Vegas locals, as is Dan Young.

Josh Janes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2001 · Points: 9,954

Although AMGA certification (and home ownership?) are important considerations when choosing a guide, the reality is all the guides listed in this thread are great folks. Other guides active in the area include Andy Reger, Elaina Arenz, Nathan Petrosian, Joanne Urioste, Mark Limage, and myself. But the reality is these are just random names and the best way to select a guide in Red Rocks is to call one of the four permitted services (AAI, Mountain Skills, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, or Red Rock Climbing Guides). These services know all the local guides and will be able to best pair you with the appropriate guide based on your experience, objectives, and personality.

Andrew Yasso · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 215

Haha, good point Josh. I'm just proud to finally be a homeowner here =) Your advice was much more apt and to the point.

Doug Foust · · Oroville, WA · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 165

AMGA Certification does guarantee that someone has spent a considerable amount of time, effort, and money to hone their guiding skills, with a minimum 26 days of actual course and exam work, being taught and evaluated by experienced instructors and peers not to count all the time training and practicing for those courses and exams.

While that is somewhat important, my unbiased opinion is that whether or not someone has their own trading card is a much more important consideration when choosing a guide.

Trad Princess · · Not That Into Climbing · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 1,175

Just cut to the chase and call Dow.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Nevada
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