Guide Qualifications

Mountain Madness hires guides proficient in all disciplines of mountain travel - skiing, rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, trekking, and avalanche education. We require professionalism and strict adherence to our guidelines in relation to risk management, client care, and permit requirements set forth by the federal government and any international organizations/governments with whom we work. In addition to technical expertise, the personality of the candidate and their ability to teach and communicate with clients, will have an essential role in the selection process.

Mountain Madness has two levels of responsibility for field staff: assistant guide and lead guide. Typically, an individual will work over 140 guiding days before being considered as a lead guide. As an assistant guide one must have continued good client evaluation and have flawless recommendations from lead guides before being considered for promotion to lead guide.

All field staff must have Wilderness First Responder (or equivalent) emergency medical training, and previous experience or training with the terrain in which they would be operating. After demonstrating competence, judgment, proper risk management (in addition to the conditions laid out above) he/she will then be considered for promotion to the next level. This process assures highly competent and skilled and experienced field staff at all levels.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate sufficient physical reserves to be able to assist clients and deal with physically demanding emergencies. Candidates should be able to cope with the psychological stress of living and working in potentially high risk situations. They must be able to deal with emergencies in a calm and capable manner. Candidates must be able to improvise in unusual situations. They must have experience in the selection of appropriate routes and terrain - resulting in experiences that are rewarding, but within the technical, physiological and psychological capabilities of the clients. Candidates must be able to establish a pace so that the client’s capabilities are not overextended. They must have control over trip timing to ensure minimization of objective risk. Guides must exhibit awareness of, and empathy for, clients and their needs at all times. Guides must establish firm but courteous control by means of example, inspiration, and communication. Candidates must be able to care for their clients in all aspects of mountain living and traveling.

Potential guide candidates must submit a personal climbing resume documenting their climbing and teaching experience and educational background. Alpine guide candidates should highlight their mountaineering experience on longer, diverse routes on rock, alpine ice, frozen waterfalls, glacier travel, and high altitude expeditions. Rock guide candidates should highlight their leading experience on multi-pitch rock routes showing a diversity of route types and style, and with an emphasis on routes grade III or longer. Ski mountaineering guide candidates should highlight their ski touring experience, ski mountaineering experience involving ascent and descent, and experience on multi-day traverses. All candidates are also ecouraged to highlight avalanche education training and any professional level guide training with the AMGA, ACMG, or UIAGM/IFMGA countries with established guide training programs.

Resume Submission Instructions

Please send an e-mail with the following:

Your top 10 Alpine climbs, 10 Rock climbs, and 10 Ski descents and / or Traverses.

Separately attach your job resume, technical climbing resume, and a resume of any professional guiding/instruction you've done. A cover letter is appreciated, as well.

Thanks and we look forward to meeting you!