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 a Level III U.S. 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 Resume
- 70+ summits of Mount Rainier, WA (14,410') having guided 5 different routes including Liberty Ridge
- 7 summits of Denali (Mount McKinley), 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
- Ecuador: many ascents of nearly all of the 17,000�+ volcanoes, including 9 summits of Cotopaxi (19,347'), 2 of Chimborazo (20,702'), and a summit of the remote and technical El Altar (17,451')
- Peru: many ascents of the high peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, including Alpamayo (19,511')
- Many ascents of Colorado 14ers and high 13ers via technical routes, many with ski descents
- Alpine climbs throughout the US and South America
- Various ski tours and ski mountaineering descents throughout the US and South America
- Various Rock and Water Ice climbs throughout the US and South America
Certifications
- Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician
- National Registry and Colorado EMT-B
- Outdoor Emergency Care
- Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2
- U.S. Avalanche Level III
- AIARE Level II Avalanche Instructor
- AMGA training in Alpine, Ski, & Rock disciplines
- Leave No Trace Trainer