Getting a client to the top of their first alpine route is always an incredibly satisfying moment. The progression people are capable of in such a short amount of time these days is impressive to say the least. We always make sure to assess our clients physical and mental capacities before putting them on an alpine objective but sometimes it's a no-brainer as was the case with Jake last week during his first alpine ascent of Mount Emerson's South East Face. GSG Guide Joshua Reinig had the pleasure of guiding Jake up this moderate alpine route in the Eastern Sierra just outside of Bishop and what an incredible day they both had. Technical climbing right off the deck followed by a long scree chute and rib hoping, ending with a knife edge traverse, we'd say Jake got the full value experience his first day in the alpine! Thanks to Jake for giving us the chance to guide him in our favorite arena and to GSG Guide Josh for facilitating the day.
Mount Sill // Swiss Arete // Palisade Range
Another successful outing into the Palisade Range went down this past weekend! These 3 badass ladies conquered the Swiss Arete (5.7, Grade III), during a 3 day outing in one of our favorite places to guide. Perfect temps, good vibes and an all around great time was had by all. Big congratulations to these 3 for summiting one of the more iconic peaks in the Eastern Sierra! Also, big thanks to GSG Lead Guide Josh Reinig for facilitating the outing and to GSG Guide Greg Davis for taking the time to be mentored by Josh. We couldn't do it without our awesome Guide Family!
Beating the Heat // Holcomb Valley Rock Climbing
With California temperatures reaching all time highs at lower elevations we opted for cooler temps and took a short drive to Holcomb Valley just outside of the town of Big Bear, CA. The first good indicator was that we were able to find a close parking spot at the southern lot! Crowds were minimal, temperatures optimal, and good vibes were being spread among the guides and our two clients as we climbed up numerous pitches throughout the day. It's always a pleasure catching up with repeat clients and Lauren and AJ were stoked to get back out with us. Thanks for the great day you two and big thanks to GSG Guide Greg Davis for facilitating.
Sierra Single Pitchn' Event // Eastern Sierra
Another amazing weekend with great people in a beautiful place! We wrapped up our Sierra Single Pitchn’ Event in the Eastern Sierra and I think it’s safe to say we’re still coming down from a big high! We spent 2 nights camping in beautiful Rock Creek Canyon and ventured out each day into the Eastern Sierra, sampling some fine rock climbing along the way. Day 1 was spent at Clark Canyon where we climbed large formations composed of volcanic rock followed by a dip in Rock Creek Lake to round out the day. Day 2 we ventured north into the Mammoth Lakes Basin area where we spent the day climbing at Horseshoe Slabs, nestled between Horseshoe Lake and beautiful pine trees of all shapes and sizes. The Sierra is a very special place to all of our Guides, it’s a privilege to be able to introduce people to a place so near and dear to our heart. Thanks to everyone who attended the first annual Sierra Single Pitchn’ Event, this is just the beginning of more fun outings to come on the Eastside! Also, big shout out to GSG Guide Greg Davis for facilitating the weekend and to GSG Guide Tyler Dandurand and GSG Apprentice Guide Sarah Barille for helping along the way. Awesome team we have, couldn't do it without you guys!
To view the full gallery of photos click here.
Successful Summit of Mount Sill (14,154') // Sierra Nevada
We're pleased to share with you 2 clients, Jesse Felten and Angel Castaneda, successfully reached the summit of Mount Sill (14,154') via the North Couloir route on July 1st, 2018 with GSG Guide Josh Reinig. Mount Sill is 1 of 15 fourteener's in California and is considered a technical peak needing the appropriate skills to ascend and descend her slopes safely. Snow travel up to 50+ degrees is involved along with technical rock climbing up to low 5th class during the crux of the route. Jesse and Angelo both demonstrated the ability to keep it cool under pressure while ascending this beautiful peak in the High Sierra, also known as Nee-na-mee-shee, meaning Guardian of the Valley. Congratulations on your ascent gentleman and big thanks to GSG Guide Josh Reinig for facilitating a safe and fun weekend for our guests.
GSG Apprentice Guide Ash Gambhir & Team Climb Liberty Ridge
Apparently Liberty Ridge is the go-to route this season for GSG Guides. Apprentice Guide @verticalnomad just topped out Mt. Rainier via the famous Liberty Ridge route last week. This is our second Guide in two weeks to ascend the route. Ash was awarded the American Alpine Clubs “Live Your Dream” grant earlier this year and Liberty Ridge was the coveted route of choice. Congratulations Ash and the rest of your team! Stoked everyone made a safe and successful ascent!
Jesse Ray Joins GSG's Guide Family
Golden State Guiding is excited to announce our latest addition to the GSG Guide Family, Jesse Ray. Jesse comes to GSG with a wealth of knowledge in multiple disciplines of climbing as well as education. Jesse is a certified AMGA Rock Guide, Single Pitch Instructor and an Apprentice Alpine Guide and is currently holding down the role as Outdoor Leadership Development Coordinator at SFU! Jesse’s passion for education and mentoring is something we look for in all of our Guides which makes him the perfect addition to the GSG Guide Family, and he knows a thing or two about climbing! Please join us in welcoming Jesse Ray to the GSG Guide Family! We’re incredibly excited to have him on board!
GSG Welcomes Joshua Reinig to the Guide and Ambassador Family
GSG is proud to announce the latest addition to the Guide and Ambassador family, Joshua Reinig. Josh brings a wealth of experience to GSG team and is currently an AMGA Assistant Rock Guide and holds a Wilderness First Responder. Josh’s passion for climbing extends far beyond his pursuit of guiding and keeps him busy in multiple disciplines of the sport from big wall, mixed and ice, and the rarely frequented First Ascensionist mentality. His pursuit to live a full value lifestyle while being a father and husband to his family is something we admire and is a big part of the reason why we’ve brought Josh into the family. Please join us is welcoming Josh to the Golden State Guiding Family. For more info on Josh check out his Guide and Ambassador page on our website under the GSG Family tab.
#FBF Mountaineers Route, Whitney Zone
Here's a nice #FBF to an ascent of the Mountaineers Route on Mt. Whitney with GSG Ambassador Stan Smith. Perfect conditions on the route and a great way to celebrate his 30th birthday!
Lauren Breitenbach Joins GSG Guide Family
Golden State Guiding is proud to announce the latest addition to the GSG Guide Family, Lauren Breitenbach. Lauren's been guiding in the Sierra professionally since 2015 and more recently achieved her SPI certification with the AMGA (American Mountain Guide Association) this past fall. Lauren is a Wilderness First Responder, co-founder of Aret Basewear, and a graduate of San Diego State University with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering. Click here to check out Lauren's guide page and learn more. Cheers to fun times ahead Lauren!
GSG Guide Greg Davis & the Rostrum
#TBT to Golden State Guiding Guide Greg Davis on the Rostrum last week in Yosemite with partner Nate Myton. True test piece and stoked to see these guys out there pushing their limits! Can't tell if Greg is happy or miserable but we're willing to bet it's a little of both!
Busy Weekend for Golden State Guiding!
Golden State Guiding was all over the place this past weekend in Southern California from the cliffs of Mission Gorge to the splitter cracks on Mount Woodson to the high desert in Joshua Tree! Big thanks to all that came out and to our guides Greg Davis, Allison Terray and guide apprentice Tyler Dandurand. It was a great weekend of climbing!
GSG Ambassador Shane McNichol & Founder Ryan Hartegan in Red Rock
Shane McNichol about to fire the crux pitch of Triassic Sands (10b) in Red Rock, Las Vegas. Nothing but 100+ feet of splitter #2''s after this overhang!
Sierra Classic Gets Tick'd!
GSG Ambassador Orion Feist and GSG Guide Allison Terray took full advantage of the last days of summer this past weekend by ticking off this Sierra classic, Fishook Arete on Mount Russell. Temps were frigid but the stoke was high! Nice send you two!
GSG Guide Kelvin Nguyen Keeping Busy in the Sierra
Golden State Guiding Guide Kelvin Nguyen keeping busy as the summer months come to a close. Kelvin recently sent the Third Pillar of Dana and OZ up in Tuolumne Meadows over Labor Day weekend. Two amazing climbs that should at the top of any climbers tick list!
GSG Assistant Rock Guide Allison Terray // Arcteryx/AMGA Scholarship Winner
Big Congratulations to GSG Assistant Rock Guide, Allison Terray for winning the Arcteryx/AMGA guide scholarship for 2018. Allison will be furthering her guide career by applying the scholarship towards her Alpine Guide Course in 2018. Congratulations again Allison, keep crushing!
#FBF GSG Guide Kelvin Nguyen & GSG Ambassador Orion Feist
A couple noteworthy #FBF's here... First off for Kelvin Nguyen and partner Yvonne for the send of the Red Dihedral on the Incredible Hulk (5.10, IV, 1500'). Well done sir! And next up is GSG Ambassador Orion Feist and partner Adam for their send of the Harding Route on Keeler Needle this past weekend (5.10+, V, 2000'), great send guys!
Golden State Guiding Welcomes Jordan Cannon to the GSG Guide Family
Golden State Guiding is proud to announce the newest addition to our guide family, Jordan Cannon. Jordan is a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Wilderness First Responder based out of Bishop, CA. Between living on the road and climbing full time Jordan will be actively pursuing a fulfilling career as a guide and furthering his skill set by enrolling in the AMGA Rock Guide course the coming year. Join us in welcoming Jordan to the Golden State Guiding family.
Tahquitz // Open Book
GSG Founder Ryan Hartegan and Ambassador Orion Feist fled to the hills of Idyllwild this past weekend to log some mileage on some stellar granite. We think it's safe to say the weekend was a success!
G2C June Clinic Series Wrap Up // Mission Gorge
Another fun weekend at the local crag with our June G2C students! Stoked to see the level of climbing that went down and the advancements of individual skill sets. Big thanks to GSG guide Greg Davis for facilitating a great weekend.
