Mike Walter
Mike's love of the mountains is contagious; whether he is climbing, skiing, or sitting out a storm in a tent, you're sure to see a smile on his face. His search for adventure and wild mountain places has taken him all over the world, including a 2 year stint as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador. He has a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Environmental Studies, speaks fluent Spanish, is a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, and holds Canadian Level 2 and U.S. Level 3 Avalanche Certification. Mike has thru-hiked the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, and has run numerous races including a marathon and an ultra-marathon. When not guiding, you'll find Mike climbing, trail running, and skiing in Colorado, where he is an Avalanche Forecaster for the Snowmass Ski Patrol in Aspen.
Climbing Resumé
- 100+ summits of Mount Rainier, WA (14,410') having guided 5 different routes including Liberty Ridge
- 23 Denali Expeditions with 20 summits, AK (20,320') via West Buttress
- 1 summit of Mont Blanc, France (15,774')
- 1 summit of Mount Elbrus, Russia (18,510')
- 1 expedition in the Ruth Gorge, AK
- 1 summit and ski descent of Mt. Hunter, AK (14,573')
- Ecuador: many ascents of nearly all of the 17,000'+ volcanoes, including over a dozen summits of Cotopaxi (19,347'), 3 of Chimborazo (20,702'), and El Altar (17,451')
- Peru: many ascents of the high peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, including Alpamayo (19,511')
- Many alpine climbs in the North Cascades including Shuksan, Baker, Forbidden, Torment and Goode
Certifications
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Outdoor Emergency Care
- Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2
- American Avalanche Institute Avalanche Level III
- AIARE Level II Avalanche Instructor
- AMGA Certified Alpine Guide
- AMGA Certified Ski Guide
- AMGA Rock Instructor Course
- Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor
