Hannah Smith Employee Statement

I started guiding for RMI in 2015. I had climbed Rainer a handful of times and several of the other Cascade Volcanos, but I had never guided before. Because RMI has so many guides, it allows the company to take on new guides who are strong, skilled, and eager to learn without having guiding experience. The network of guides available to mentor and pass down years to decades of knowledge is what sets RMI apart from other companies.

The number of days worked is also what sets RMI apart from other companies. If you are willing to work, there is plenty of work to be had in the summer months. This allows new guides to gain experience and knowledge quickly with repetition on the mountain learning from as many senior guides as possible. My second season I went to Denali and then that Fall to Mexico followed by Argentina in January. The opportunities are endless, and progression can be fast with good networking skills, hard-work, and availability. I have since been to Ecuador and Nepal guiding for RMI.

I have learned from some of the best guides in the industry (Dave Hahn, Brent Okita, Casey Grom) and gone to so many beautiful places. Every turn and every step I felt ready and prepared due to the smooth operation of RMI. I thought I’d only guide for a few seasons but will be entering into my 10th this year...that says something about the quality of a company RMI is to work for.