Geoff Schellens

Geoff Schellens grew up in Norwich, Vermont, where his introduction to climbing at the age of 14 led him to develop a strong connection with the outdoors and the local Green Mountains. Pursuing this passion, Geoff attained his undergraduate degree from Prescott College, where he studied Adventure Education with an emphasis on rock and alpine climbing, and minored in environmental studies and photography. Following work as an instructor for Outward Bound and a season rock guiding in Acadia, Maine, Geoff began guiding for RMI in 2009 where he is currently a Lead Guide. He is also a certified Rock Guide by the American Mountain Guides Association. Above his ascents with RMI to Alaska, Mexico, Ecuador, and Argentina, Geoff has recently returned from an expedition to Tibet with fellow RMI guides where he summited Shishapangma – one of the world’s fourteen 8000m+ peaks. When not climbing, Geoff enjoys skiing, biking, and traveling.

Geoff is a talented photographer, intent on exploring the "the places where the earth stops and the sky begins" through both his climbing and his camera lens. See Geoff's photography work here.

Climbing Resumé

• 50+ summits via 5 routes of Mt. Rainier, Washington
• 4 expeditions on Denali, Alaska
• 1 summit of Shisha Pangma, Tibet (26,335')
• 4 expeditions on Aconcagua, Argentina
• 1 summit of Fitz Roy, Patagonia, Argentina
• 1 summit of Pico de Orizaba and Ixtaccihuatl, Mexcio
• 2 summits of Cotopaxi and Illiniza Norte, Ecuador
• 1 summit of Chimborazo and Cayambe, Ecuador
• Mt. Aspiring, New Zealand
• Other notable domestic ascents: Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Baker, Mt. Hood, The Torment-Forbidden Traverse
• Rock guiding: El Potrero Chico, Mexico; Joshua Tree National Park, California; Acadia, Maine
• Rock climbing experience; Wyoming, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, California, Nevada, Oregon, British Columbia, Thailand, Argentina, and New Zealand

Certifications

• Wilderness First Responder
• AIARE Avalanche Level II
• AMGA Certified Rock Guide
• AMGA Advanced Alpine Guide Course / Aspirant Exam
• AMGA Ice Instructor Course
• AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
• Leave No Trace Trainer