Kayanna Hopkins
Kayanna grew up in Sandy, Utah, with a deep love and passion for the outdoors. From a young age, she spent much of her time camping and hiking in the heart of the Wasatch and Uinta mountain ranges. Kayanna originally went to college to pursue a career in social work. However, a summer spent backpacking through Glacier National Park, Montana, changed the trajectory of her life. She graduated with an associate degree in social work and began guiding four-day sea kayaking trips and five-day mountaineering trips in Alaska. It was there that Kayanna was first introduced to backcountry skiing and technical climbing—skills that later opened doors for personal expeditions and guiding positions. She eventually began leading trips for a guiding company in Southeast Alaska, specializing in mountaineering and sea kayaking. In the off-season, Kayanna spends time rock climbing, ice climbing, ski mountaineering, and mountain biking, while also working as a ski patroller at Powder Mountain Ski Resort in Utah.
Climbing Resumé
- Grand Teton, Wyoming (13,775') | with ski descent
- Kings Peak, Utah (13,528') | with ski descent
- Skied Terminal Cancer Couloir, Nevada
- Skied Nadahini, British Columbia
- Ice climbing in Montana and Alaska
- Rock Climbing in Squamish, British Columbia
Certifications
- Wilderness First Responder
- AIARE Avalanche Level 1
- Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor
