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Meet Our Guides

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About our Guides

Denver Mountain Guiding has been around since 2010, and our guides receive training by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and are fully insured and permitted by Denver Mountain Guiding. Denver Mountain Guiding is very selective when hiring a new guide, we ensure you that your guide is not only qualified to take you climbing, but also a wonderful person to share your experience with and guide you through your day as you enjoy your climbing.

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Kevin Capps (He/Him/His)
Owner

Kevin has over 20 years of climbing experience throughout the United States and overseas as well. At the University of Missouri he was the Climbing Club President and spent most of his college days climbing, taking climbing trips, or guiding friends, club members, and professors alike. After graduating college and then guiding for a few years, he decided guiding was his passion and started Denver Mountain Guiding in 2010. Whether he’s leading an advanced multi-pitch climb or teaching a large group their first climbing lesson ever, Kevin is one of the most reliable leaders you’ll find. His goal is to show others the pleasures and rewards of climbing in the mountains he loves. "Ever since my family and I took a guided climbing trip in the Grand Tetons when I was younger, I knew I wanted to be able to climb these mountains with the knowledge that I needed to do it myself, and one of my greatest joys is to teach others to climb through my own personal experience.

  • Authored Rock Climbing Clear Creek Canyon, the guidebook for one of the most popular climbing areas in Colorado and the closest climbing to Denver.
  • Authored the Golden Climbing Guide, a guidebook for climbing in the Golden area.
  • Over 13 years of guiding experience
  • Kevin has over 200 first ascents in the United States
  • Climbs up to 5.14
  • Rock Instructor Course, AMGA
  • Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA
  • Wilderness First Responder
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Laura Capps (She/Her)
Owner

Laura is a middle school math teacher, turned climbing guide, who loves crunching numbers and teaching kids and adults alike. As of 2016, Laura started her own tutoring company called Math Matters Tutoring, so she has more time to guide, climb, and ski, while still being able to teach kids math. She enjoys climbing, skiing, and spending as much time in the mountains as humanly possible. She has over 20 years of rock climbing experience and has been guiding since the start of Denver Mountain Guiding in 2010. Laura will get you excited about climbing and spending time in the mountains and climbing your best!

  • Wilderness First Aid Certified
  • Guiding for over 12 years
  • Climbs up to 5.13
  • Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA
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Ryan Campbell (He/Him/His)
Guide

Ryan is a Colorado native but did not find his passion for climbing until moving to southern Utah for school where he fell in love with the red rock desert. When he returned to Colorado in 1999 he began actively pursuing climbing, trying to learn as much as possible. He quickly developed a passion for teaching and sharing the sport of climbing with others and began guiding in 2004. He taught outdoor education courses for more than 10 years at Metropolitan State University of Denver and has spent time volunteering with climbing related nonprofit organizations serving underserved youth. Ryan is passionate about teaching and helping others open doors to their own adventures and working with the next generation of guides and climbing instructors.

  • Certified Rock Instructor - AMGA
  • AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Provider
  • Wilderness First Responder/AED/CPR
  • Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome in a day
  • Guiding and instructing for over 18 years
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Nathan Sandidge (He/Him/His)
Guide

Nathan is a Denver native that has been passionate about climbing since attending college on the east coast, which has transformed into many adventures around the country. These travels have strengthened his love for the mountains and sharing it with others. The goal of each outdoor experience is to be memorable, unique, and engaging. Nathan's ambition for spending time in the mountains means that you are sure to run into him exploring the Front Range. 

  • Advanced Rock Guide Course, AMGA
  • Assistant Rock Guide, AMGA
  • AIARE Pro 1 Avalanche certification
  • Ice Instructor Course, AMGA
  • Alpine Guide Course, AMGA
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • Guiding for over 6 years
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Joey Carrara (He/Him/His)
Guide

Growing up in Vermont, Joey was exposed to the world of outdoor adventure at a young age. Through his ultrarunner dad, he was bred to move quickly and efficiently through the mountains. Like most millennials, Joey started his climbing career in a gym but quickly progressed outside after doing a semester with NOLS in the Pacific Northwest. He now enjoys hard sport climbing and bouldering but his true love is moderate adventure climbing. Joey sees the outdoors as the best place to learn about yourself through finding your limits, problem-solving, and the unique communication challenges that outdoor adventure provides. Joey is currently moving through the AMGA guide track and aspires to someday get his IFMGA pin. 

  • Alpine Guide Course, AMGA
  • Advanced Rock Guide Course, AMHA
  • Assistant Rock Guide, AMGA
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • AIARE II certification
  • AIARE Instructor
  • Leave No Trace Instructor
  • Guiding for over 3 years
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Nate Schumacher (He/Him/His)
Guide

Nate has been climbing his entire life, getting his start at a climbing gym in Columbia, Maryland. He started to find his passion for instructing climbers over 10 years ago and has been working on honing the craft through professional development ever since. Nate moved to Colorado five years ago to be able to explore the amazing rock climbing this state has to offer. 

  • Rock Guide Course, AMGA
  • Advanced Rock Guide Course, AMGA
  • Assistant Rock Guide, AMGA
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • AIARE level 1
  • Outdoor Education AAS Degree- Red Rocks Community College
  • Outdoor Professional Cert. - Red Rocks Community College
  • Paradox Indoor Facilitator 
  • Guiding for over 7 years
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Carlyn Crispell (They/Them)
Guide

Carlyn was born and raised in the mountains of Colorado and to this day can’t get enough of its great alpine climbing, skiing, and mountaineering. They earned a MSci in Outdoor Education, have completed the AMGA Rock Guide Course, and have been leading adventure pursuits since 2012. Whether it's getting guests on the wall for the first time or sharing the technical skills required to become independent outdoor leaders, Carlyn loves seeing their clients empowered through climbing. They are a patient instructor and guide who is always stoked to get out and share the love of climbing! 

  • Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA
  • Rock Guide Course, AMGA
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • AIARE Pro 1
  • MSCI in Outdoor Education at the University of Edinburgh
  • Guiding for over 6 years
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Sam Sala (He/Him/His)
Guide

Born in northern Idaho and raised in the Reno / Lake Tahoe area of Nevada, Sam has always had a love for playing outdoors, particularly in the mountains. He grew up snowboarding and racing mountain bikes throughout NV and CA. After moving to Colorado in 2006, he began hiking and trail running CO’s 14ers which eventually led to him finding his ultimate love of rock, ice and alpine climbing in 2013. Sam has been an instructor and guide in the Front Range since 2018, and when he isn’t giving guests a climbing experience to remember, you can likely find him romping through the mountains around the Western US. Some of his favorite areas include the high peaks of the Alaska Range, Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain National Parks, PNW volcanoes, sandstone formations of Eldo, the Flatirons, Red Rock NV and Moab UT, as well as the gorgeous frozen flows of the Lake City and Ouray ice parks, and any other backcountry ice he can find. Sam also has extensive training in adaptive climbing through his role as the National Program Manager and Lead ACI (Adaptive Climbing Initiative) Course Instructor for a Colorado-based adaptive climbing non-profit. Feel free to request Sam for any of your climbing needs: Rock, Ice, Alpine, Adaptive or otherwise!

  • Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • Guiding over 5 years
  • FA "The Love Note" 1st Flatiron, 190' WI3/M4(R), Feb 2020
  • FA "Yukon Do It" Northstar Mountain, 500' M4(R), Jan 2021
  • Denali via Cassin Ridge, June 2021
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Azissa Singh (She/Her)
Guide

Originally from upstate South Carolina, Azissa’s early outdoor adventures included exploring backyard woods and streams. At the university of South Carolina, she began her journey as an outdoor instructor — a journey that has led her from field work instructing and guiding to managing outdoor programs for universities, nonprofits, and commercial operations and everything in between. At denver mountain guiding, Azissa endeavors to use climbing and the outdoors to provide unforgettable experiences based in curiosity and community.

  • Advanced Rock Guide Course AMGA
  • Certified Single Pitch Instructor AMGA
  • Certified Climbing Wall Instructor AMGA
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • Guiding for over 11 years
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Vasya Vorotnikov (He/Him/His)
Guide

I've been climbing for 25 years and have 20+ years of competition climbing experience, including winning multiple youth Nationals, winning adult sport Nationals in 2012, and representing US at several bouldering World Cups. Outside, I've climbed up to 5.15a sport and 5.14a trad and have been pursuing difficult rope climbs generally. In 2020, together with Kevin Capps, I started coaching an outdoor Climbing Cats team, which focuses on physical, technical, and safety aspects dealing with outdoor climbing.

  • Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA
  • Climbs up to 5.15a, one of the hardest difficulties in the country
  • Coach for youths and adults
  • Guiding over 4 years
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Steve Levin (He/Him/His)
Guide

Steve started climbing at age 13 with a guided ascent of the Exum Ridge on Wyoming’s Grand Teton. He has since climbed extensively throughout the US and abroad, including the first free ascent of the Lotus Flower Tower in Canada’s Northwest Territories, one of the world’s greatest rock climbs. His favorite climbing areas in Colorado include Rocky Mountain National Park (where he has climbed the Diamond over 40 times, including leading guided ascents), Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Eldorado Canyon, for which he wrote the highly-acclaimed guidebook. He participated in the first NOLS Spring Semester course in 1977, and worked for many years as a field instructor and Course Director for Colorado Outward Bound School. As a certified AMGA Rock Guide, he has guided in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, California, Arizona and Mexico. He has taught climbers with disabilities through the non-profit Paradox Sport’s Adaptive Climbing Initiative; taught improvised rock rescue to Air Force paratroopers and the RMNP Climbing Rangers; worked as a rigger and safety officer for TV shows including Running Wild with Bear Grylls; and has worked extensively with young adult cancer survivors through the non-profit First Descents. He is an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Provider, teaching up-and-coming rock instructors and guides. His current focus as a guide is mentoring newer climbers, teaching rock climbing risk management, and sharing knowledge acquired from close to 50 years of climbing experience.

  • AMGA Certified Rock Guide
  • AMGA SPI Provider
  • Wilderness First Responder/CPR/AED
  • Leave No Trace Trainer
  • Guided for over 20 years
  • Author of Eldorado Canyon: A Climber’s Guide, Third Edition (2020)
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James Klaers (He/Him/His)
Guide

From exploring the mountains to appreciating the front country life, James brings joy, a relaxed energy, and his best effort wherever he is. Starting at a young age, he spent time in the mountains – rock climbing, trail running, splitboarding, ice climbing, and mountaineering. In 2010, he attended CMC Leadville for their Outdoor Recreation Leadership Program. There he honed his mountain skills and, later, began working for the Colorado Outward Bound school in 2016. As an outdoor educator, he values sharing lessons and perspectives that integrate technical skills with socio-emotional skills. With over a decade of guiding experience, James exudes a calm and confident presence while making complex concepts easy to absorb. No matter the activity, James is passionate about sharing outdoor experiences with others, assisting in growing their love of nature, and teaching technical and interpersonal tools to add to folk’s toolbox of life skills.

  • AMGA Certified Rock Guide
  • AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide
  • AAI Pro 1 Avalanche Certified
  • Wilderness First Responder and CPR Certified
  • Guiding since 2012
  • Colorado Outward Bound School Senior Instructor & Trainer
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Brent Smith (He/Him/His)
Guide

Brent loves sharing his passion for climbing with others. As the full-time Program Manager for local Movement gyms, Brent has worked in the climbing industry since 2016 and has a wealth of instructing and coaching experience. He meets clients where they are and aims to help them grow and learn from their experiences along the way, from first-time outdoor climbs to training for long alpine routes. Finding confidence and fulfillment through climbing is Brent's ultimate goal for everyone that he has the pleasure of sharing a rope with.

  • Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA
  • Rock Guide Course, AMGA
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • Guiding over 3 years
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Alex Mason (He/Him/His)
Guide

Originally from South Carolina, Alex found inspiration from his local climbing gym and countless National geographic issues at an early age. Ever since he was 6, he always knew that adventure in the mountains would be a big part of his life. In 2012 Alex moved to the Colorado Front Range to pursue climbing. He became a Wilderness First Responder in 2012 and took his AMGA rock guide training in 2018. Alex loves showing people the world of outdoor climbing. He is passionate about helping people achieve their goals and loves facilitating lasting memorable experiences in the mountains. In addition to working with Denver Mountain Guiding, he also coaches an instructs indoors, both youth and adults, at The Spot climbing gym. Alex is a well-rounded climber and enjoys climbing all seasons and disciplines

  • AIARE level 1
  • Wilderness First Responder, CPR and First Aid
  • Rock Guide Course , AMGA
  • Paradox sports adaptive climber volunteer training
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Sevve Stember (He/Him/His)
Guide

Stember is a mountain athlete that hails from northern Minnesota. He's practically Canadian. As a boy, he has fond memories of nordic skiing with his father in subzero temps, hiking in the Canadian Rockies, and climbing Oak trees. Depending on the season, you can find him skiing, trail running, or climbing. In the climbing world, he excels in all disciplines: sport, trad, alpine, speed, and bouldering. As a mountain runner, he's been blending his love of rock climbing with trail running to complete long ridge line traverses in the alpine setting. Recently, he's has partnered with Arno Ilgner, author of The Rock Warrior's Way, to offer applied mental training clinics. Since he's a bit neurotic, he tries to calm his nervous system with meditation, yoga, and cold showers/alpine lake swimming. The front range of Colorado feels like home and he's allowed his roots to take hold here.

  • Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA
  • Warrior's Way Instructor
  • Guiding over 3 years
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Dylan Connole (He/Him/His)
Guide

Dylan has over 14 years of climbing experience spanning the country and around the globe from the UK to New Zealand and Oman to Thailand. The best estimate is that he passed 10,000 hours climbing somewhere back around 2016 and hasn't slowed down since then. He also works as a climbing instructor and coach at Movement Climbing + Fitness honing the skills of the devoted and teaching new climbers how to safely climb. He spends free time climbing and developing routes in Rifle, chasing every bit of climbing around, and training for the next big dream.

  • Wilderness First Responder
  • Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA
  • Rock Guide Course, AMGA
  • Climbs up to 5.14
  • Guiding over 3 years
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Jeff Mascaro (He/Him/His)
Guide

With his experience in building and leading high-performance teams from industry-leading climbing gyms across the U.S., his extensive travels, and his rigorous guiding education through the American Mountain Guides Association, Jeff is in a unique position to educate, inspire, and motivate you on your next adventure! From his base in the foothills in Golden, Colorado, Jeff has teamed up with his friends and colleagues to climb some of the world’s biggest mountains. He’s traveled south to climb South America’s heavily glaciated Cordillera Blanca, north to explore Canada’s remote Purcell Mountains, west to ascend Yosemite’s famed high granite walls, and east over the Atlantic to send some of Europe’s best limestone cliffs. He spends most of his time guiding private guests and small groups in Colorado, Utah, and Nevada, helping them to achieve their goals in the mountains by arranging custom, personalized itineraries that build upon previous experience. He is especially adept at organizing unique experiences for novices and introducing basic concepts to first-time climbers. Jeff also produces and hosts free educational content on all the relevant social platforms, and offers mentorship for select individuals interested in pursuing the profession. He encourages anyone who is interested in climbing and guiding to reach out to him for educational considerations, career advice, adventure planning, and other recommendations.

  • Certified Rock Guide, AMGA
  • Apprentice Alpine Guide, AMGA
  • Ice Instructor Course, AMGA
  • AIARE Pro 1 Avalanche certification
  • AIARE Level II Avalanche certificate
  • Wilderness First Responder with advanced wilderness rescue and CPR training.
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Becca Droz (She/Her)
Guide

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Becca started climbing in Boulder, CO in 2009. She learned traditional and multi-pitch climbing while at school at Warren Wilson College in Western North Carolina through the Outdoor Leadership program and the affiliated Outward Bound school. Becca has worked as a climbing coach/instructor at Movement climbing gym in Boulder since 2016, focusing on women’s group programming. She also began guiding through Women’s Wilderness, a local non-profit, in 2016. Becca loves working with people in a skills-based context outside to improve climbing performance and mental skills. She shares an integrated approach to climbing, acknowledging that climbing reflects who we are as humans and how we show up in the world. Becca’s all around skill base and personable energy makes her a great person to guide you up your first outdoor climbs, multi-pitch routes or help you advance your skills as a seasoned climber.

  • Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA
  • Apprentice Rock Guide, AMGA
  • Rock Guide Course, AMGA
  • Coaching and guiding climbing for over 6 years
  • B.A. in Outdoor Leadership from Warren Wilson College
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • Climbs up to 5.13
  • Women’s speed record on the Naked Edge in Eldorado Canyon
  • Two time contestant on CBS’s The Amazing Race, “Team Fun”
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Aleks Grocic (He/Him/His)
Guide

Aleks was born in Chicago and was a flatlander for the majority of his life. After graduating from the University of Dayton with his Mechanical Engineering degree, he decided to thru hike the Appalachian trail, which kickstarted his love of the outdoors. After finishing the trail, he started working on summiting the US State's natural highest elevation points (high-pointing), and has completed 32 of the 50 highpoints. He is also an outdoor videography and photography hobbyist. Climbing found Aleks later in life than most, and has since logged thousands of hours on the rock in his 3-4 years of climbing. Notably moving from a 5.10 to a 5.12+ climber within one year. Additionally, Aleks is a Programs Instructor and a Private Coach at Movement Englewood, and enjoys helping climbers improve and reach their goals.

  • Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA
  • Wilderness First Responder certifications
  • SPRAT Level 1 (rope access and rescue) certification

Denver Mountain Guiding's Guide Dogs

Murphy and Max are honorary guides here at Denver Mountain Guiding. While they might not be certified to bring you climbing, they are certified to make you happy. These dogs are available to accompany you on your day of rock climbing for an additional $25, for half days of climbing only.

Murph

Murphy

Max

Max