More Info on the Telluride Via Ferrata

A Brief History and Essential Equipment [image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”right” alt=”Telluride Via Ferrata” title=”In an Unmatched Setting” height=”320″ width=”263″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ferrata4.jpg[/image_frame] Via Ferrata is the Italian name for what might fairly be called extreme hiking. First built in the Italian Dolomites during World War 1 these “iron roads” were intended to facilitate the rapid movement of troops through…

Summer Alpine Climbing: Speed = Safety

Moving Fast in the Alpine by Nate Disser – AMGA Rock & Alpine Guide [image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”left” alt=”Alpine Rock Climbing” title=”Pack and all……” height=”263″ width=”320″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/big.pack_.blog_.jpg[/image_frame] Managing risk and objective hazard in alpine environments is clearly a top priority for all comers – guided or not.  Surely this is always the case for all outdoor activities,…

Featured SJMG Guide: Bill Grasse

SJMG Guide Interview Bill Grasse – AMGA Certified Rock Guide [image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”left” alt=”Bill Grasse” title=”SJMG Guide” height=”250″ width=”250″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bill-grasse.jpeg[/image_frame] The Featured Guide section is a new element of our newsletter and SJMG Blog intended to provide you with an in-depth look at some of our world-class guides. This issue’s Featured Guide is Bill Grasse – an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and SJMG…

Intro to Mountaineering

This last week, Jeff, Matt, Mike, Jamie and Jason joined Matt and I for what turned out to be a great time in the San Juans.  The crew had a good range of experience.  Some people had never climbed a mountain before and others had already done a couple of the ‘Seven Summits’.  Everyone came…

Ecuador Volacnoes Dispatch #4

Dispatch from Gary Falk about their recent successful ascent of Cotopaxi.  More pictures to follow shortly! We put six out of eight climbers on the 19,347 foot summit of cotopaxi friday morning, and conditions were perfect for climbing; supportable snow, clear skies, and mild wind.  Views of the eastern and western cordillera were stunning, featuring…

SWAG Achieves AMGA Accreditation

Recently, Southwest Adventure Guide achieved American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Accreditation.  What does AMGA Accreditation mean?  Taken from the AMGA website is the following statment: “Accreditation provides a consistent and meaningful standard by which to judge the reliability and professionalism of a climbing program. It informs the general public and land managers that a program…